I need small, light-weight, and probably used. What frames should I be looking for?
 

So this isn't quite the normal MTB post, but I'm thinking you long-time MTB folks are the ones with the answers. My girlfriend is only ~5' and I'm building a commuter for her. I'm going 26" wheels rather than 700c due to her size. I'm thinking a light-weight aluminum MTB frame is the way to go. Then just add light XC wheels with slicker road tires, drop bars, etc. Any suggestions on what models I should start looking for?

How light are you wanting to go? If it were me, I'd try & find a cheap older aluminum frame from an entry level mountain bike, & then invest more money in a nice, light set of wheels. Reasons being that reducing rotating mass would make a bigger difference than reducing normal weight, & an older frame from a rigid bike would likely have geometry more appealing for a low travel or rigid fork.

I'm assuming we're talking a road commuter since you're talking about road slicks, drop bars, and weight. I have 650c on my tribike, which might be an option too (keep in mind that 26" with skinny slicks will have a smaller diameter than 26" with knobby mountain bike tires). 650b is the 27.5" wheel that's been gaining traction in the mountain bike world, for comparison's sake, and 650c is just the svelte version of 650b. So an XS road bike or cx bike (a lot of companies make them as small as 42-43cm) with 650c wheels may be an option too (or a hybrid, but meh, I have no love for hybrids). I don't have my tribike at school to compare, but I *think* that with the skinny tires, the overall diameter is actually smaller than my 26" mountain bike wheels + tires. I love mountain bikes, but it sounds like you're trying to take a mountain bike and make it into a road bike for short people. Rather than whittling away at a square peg to make it fit in a round hole...just buy a round peg.

^ Unfortunately my budget can't afford to drop $1000+ on the new bike. I'm hoping to find a decent frame-set for $100 or less and swap most of the parts over from her other bike that she isn't comfortable on.

As for light-weight wheels, I do already have some Rolf Racing XC wheels that are pretty darn light and in perfect shape, along with some decent quality 26x1.25" tires. I also have a shorter 165mm crank to account for her shorter legs and pedal clearance on the 26" wheeled bike with smaller tires.

you can set up a long haul trucker with 26" wheels and they are available all the way down to 42cm frames.

A fuji mountain bike might do the trick?

- Andy

Suggest setting her commuter as a 1x8 or 1x9, simpler gearing is easier to maintain & pragmatic to ride.

Don't put drop bars on a MTB frame. They have very long top tubes, and women, especially short women, have trouble leaning forward on bikes. If anything, using a North Road bar or something else that is swept back.

Then again, there is always a Raleigh Sports. Must-read article

I do have her current bike set up as a 1x9. It really is a great route to go for either someone who wants to do a little riding, but isn't a "bike person," or just a great commuter. I'm actually thinking about building a 8+ speed IGH for myself over the winter...
Thanks for the advice. I did plan on looking for something with a shorter top-tube, but maybe I will start her out upright regardless and see what she thinks. I actually have a women's specific MTB frame-set for her now(which has a short top-tube), but it has a suspension fork, so that's a no-go for the road with the weight and inefficiency and all that.

As for the article - Hmm... I can only see a Raleigh Sports frame being a tank, and I feel like I could do better with a modern aluminum frame. The 3sp thing definitely wouldn't work for her since we live at the top of a steep hill, but assuming I make it a 1x9 - She's not a biker right now, and not very strong since she's a smaller female. She's not gonna be jumping at the chance to lug a 35lb Raleigh up the stairs to go ride a couple miles and lug it back down the stairs when she's done. I just don't think it would work well for her particular situation.

I spent ~300 on an early 2000s taiwanese bianchi with reynolds 520 tubing and it is light. The components are low end shimano (sora), but the frame itself is really quite light. You can also get alu treks in this price range, but i've never ridden aluminum so I don't know how it rides.

OK, you're right; a Sports isn't right for her. Still, that article is a good one, and I keep in mind for several people. I think you're on the right track.

There are any number of mountain bikes out there that could work. You should look for a women's specific bike, however. A Trek WSD mountain bike does the trick nicely. Other large bike makers have similar designs.

That said, I would also suggest...and, trust me, this is hard to say...that you look at Bikes Direct. They currently have some closeout Terry Symmetrys for an absolutely killer price. I bought a 44 cm one for my wife in May for twice that price and it was a bargain then. You can't do better by buying a frame and swapping parts now that the bike is half the price I paid.

Kona make good smaller frames. Avoid gt, the triple triangle is for extra stiffness (!!!) and places the rack eyelets too low.
Use trekking rather than drop bars, brake controls are easier to setup and use. Don't forget shorter cranks and bars.

[MENTION=21724]cyccommute[/MENTION] is right. That is an insanely good price, and I also hate to recommend bikesdirect, but even if you end up replacing a lot of stuff on this bike, it's a great value.

If I did have the money, I would totally go for that Terry. Thanks for posting. Unfortunately I don't have $400 to drop on her bike right now. ~$100 is about the best I can do. Luckily I have everything I need to build up a frame-set, so that will work out if I can find something.

I did wait a few days to give the benefit of the doubt, but just throwing this out there in case a mod, etc sees it and hopefully considers it in similar situations in the future - I originally posted this in the MTB section because I'm looking for a MTB frame. I think they are the people who would know about such things. I wouldn't expect the commuter forum to be particularly MTB frame educated(not that it's anything against them, of course). There are other threads right on the front page of the MTB forum about straight-up commuting on a "MTB"("long term riding on pavement" on a Target "MTB") and even asking about using a kick-stand on a MTB(Obviously nothing to do with MTBing). I feel like my needs are at least in the right direction. I'm looking for advice on buying a decent MTB frame. I'm not sure why I was moved to the commuter forum, but like I said, just hoping that this might bring more consideration before moving someone else's thread in the future if they have a similar situation.

I love my drop bar MTB. It can take a bit of money and work to get one going, though. Really have to work to make 'em fit also. Getting an appropriate reach requires going down a size or two. Can be tough if you need an ETT of 54cm or less.

I'd look for rigid mid-90s rigs of 25 lbs or less.

Barracuda A2m (25.5 but tire change brings it to 25.0), Parkpre Pro 825 (a lot of years/versions are listed at 23.5lbs!!!), 1996 Mongoose IBOC Zero-G, several years of the KHS Comp, or Montana Comp, etc. Some Montana Team and Pro non-suspensions also.

I'm a steel fan so those are all steel, plenty of aluminum choices also. I'd probably peruse mid-90s bikepedia listings, most manu's listed weights back then so you can make a list of light ones to keep an eye out for.

I did my first drop bar conversion with barend shifters I got for $20, bars for $10, stem for $10, FD for $10. Then got these Ultegra 9-speed brifters for $45...

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/...ef126bf9_k.jpg

I tended to spin out a bit with the 44T big ring when running 1.4" slicks so went with a road double right crank eventually. Shown with 1.75" tires here, but gearing's nice for road with those tires too.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/...26965d81_k.jpg

Now, since she's 5' even I think you'll be hard pressed to find a light MTB that'll fit her even with a 60mm stem and compact bars. Maybe if she has a long torso and long arms...

In 1988 Giant made bikes with extremely short ETT but this one was about 29 lbs. The Iguana was entry level so maybe they made a lighter one with same geo but I dunno. It even has everyone's favorite road bike feature - toe overlap!

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2690/...3c519a6c_o.jpg

Thanks Lester! The bikepedia idea is a good one. I'll look into that Giant situation. And that Mongoose looks sweet. Not that it would work for her, but I'd definitely rock that.

I'm about your gf's size and I'm always keeping an eye out for frames my my size. Not that I need any more bikes (I have 7).
I haven't seen any lately that I can point you towards.

Nashbar makes a $99 aluminum mtn bike frame but I think they are out of the smallest sizes right now.

Check ebay. I have gotten a few nice frames my size there over the years. They usually go cheap as few people need a frame that small.

I have a couple mid-1990s Novara Randonee steel touring bike frames that I love. They used to make the xxs/xs sizes with 26" wheels back then. I have both built up as commuter bikes. I got one of the frames on ebay but they might show up again from time to time.

Are there any bike kitchens in your city? They might have a frame available.

There is a bike kitchen shop here that has a decent older 13" Trek steel mtb bike frame in their shop that I've been eyeing but I have no need for it. It would probably be cheap.

The Barracuda A2e and a2m came in 10" size but pretty long ETT, unfortunately

The new Priority Bike hybrid makes a good commuter.

The SM/M size should fit your GF and it has an effective short tube for easier reach and it has a lightweight alloy frame - perfect for carrying the bike up and down stairs every day.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/...6hxzeutfoc.jpg