Who Makes Smaller Bikes?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Who Makes Smaller Bikes?
I have a friend who is about 4' 10". She doesn't need an expensive bike, she rides maybe 20-30 miles a week. Her problem has been finding one small enough to fit her, without being a child's bike.
She's upgrading from the department store bike she has now. I wish I knew what it is she rides now, I could find out if it's relevant.
What should she look for?
She's upgrading from the department store bike she has now. I wish I knew what it is she rides now, I could find out if it's relevant.
What should she look for?
#2
Banned
Folding bikes would be a good choice.. smaller wheels resolve one issue created in small frame big wheel bikes ..
toes and the front wheel overlapping..
Bike Friday's bantam series fits those with Dwarfism, too..
..
toes and the front wheel overlapping..
Bike Friday's bantam series fits those with Dwarfism, too..
..
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-09-18 at 09:37 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,241
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18416 Post(s)
Liked 15,554 Times
in
7,330 Posts
The smallest Surly LHT might fit her. My ex is 5' even and has one.
#4
Senior Member
Specialized makes XS bikes, but LBSs won't stock them, but I'm sure you can order one.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Leandro
Posts: 2,900
Bikes: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Basso Loto, Pinarello Stelvio, Redline Cyclocross
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I have a friend who is about 4' 10". She doesn't need an expensive bike, she rides maybe 20-30 miles a week. Her problem has been finding one small enough to fit her, without being a child's bike.
She's upgrading from the department store bike she has now. I wish I knew what it is she rides now, I could find out if it's relevant.
What should she look for?
She's upgrading from the department store bike she has now. I wish I knew what it is she rides now, I could find out if it's relevant.
What should she look for?
#7
Full Member
Georgena Terry (Terry Bicycles) used to offer a line of woman specific bikes. My SO is 5' and has 2 XS models. They have a 700c rear and a 24" front wheel so they look a little funny, but she says they ride great. There is one on EBAY now. Item 362290577308 I have no affiliation but am quite familiar with the trials of trying to fit a 'vertically challenged' adult.
#8
Banned
Her Symmetry now use 2 26" road wheels, now that gearing went to 11.
27"/700c was because 13t was the high gear cog..
27"/700c was because 13t was the high gear cog..
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
BikeIsland.com - Bicycle Parts, Accessories and Clothing at Affordable Prices with Free Shipping
43cm touring bike here. Always been skeptical of how they sized that line, but may be worth a look, if she knows what she is looking for.
At worst, for $315, she isn't oing to lose any money if it is too big reselling it
43cm touring bike here. Always been skeptical of how they sized that line, but may be worth a look, if she knows what she is looking for.
At worst, for $315, she isn't oing to lose any money if it is too big reselling it
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18377 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
For road bikes, I'd look at the 650c road bikes.
Not a lot of top of the line ones out there. But, several companies make at least mid quality chidren's road bikes.
Fuji Ace comes in 24" and 650c. When we had a Performance Bikes, they stocked both sizes. They are a pretty cheap bike, but could be upgraded with nice brifters if one wished.
I saw a 24" little Giant once. The bikes are out there, you just have to look.
Trek used to make a 650c Madone, but I believe it has been discontinued.
For MTBs, probably department store bikes with 24" wheels would be the most comfortable. Uprade as you need.
Not a lot of top of the line ones out there. But, several companies make at least mid quality chidren's road bikes.
Fuji Ace comes in 24" and 650c. When we had a Performance Bikes, they stocked both sizes. They are a pretty cheap bike, but could be upgraded with nice brifters if one wished.
I saw a 24" little Giant once. The bikes are out there, you just have to look.
Trek used to make a 650c Madone, but I believe it has been discontinued.
For MTBs, probably department store bikes with 24" wheels would be the most comfortable. Uprade as you need.
#12
Senior Member
I have a friend who is about 4' 10". She doesn't need an expensive bike, she rides maybe 20-30 miles a week. Her problem has been finding one small enough to fit her, without being a child's bike.
She's upgrading from the department store bike she has now. I wish I knew what it is she rides now, I could find out if it's relevant.
What should she look for?
She's upgrading from the department store bike she has now. I wish I knew what it is she rides now, I could find out if it's relevant.
What should she look for?
A traditional single tube (affording low leg step-through) bike with ISO406 wheels. The small wheels also make the bike shorter in length which makes handling the bike easier when pushing it around. Like this...
Last edited by Abu Mahendra; 05-06-18 at 08:16 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,783
Bikes: Bianchi San Mateo and a few others
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 634 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
9 Posts
If the friend of @408mopar is looking for a road bike... One of our fellow forum members, @fiataccompli , listed some bikes for sale a few months ago, including some really nice small ones:
Large offering of bikes/frames/etc., mixed bag
The small Cannondale is a really nice little bike and I was considering it for my 5'2" daughter, but it turns out the bike's a little smaller than my daughter's current bike. With a 43.5 cm seat tube (c-t) and effective top tube of about 48 cm, it would probably work well for a 4'10" rider.
Large offering of bikes/frames/etc., mixed bag
The small Cannondale is a really nice little bike and I was considering it for my 5'2" daughter, but it turns out the bike's a little smaller than my daughter's current bike. With a 43.5 cm seat tube (c-t) and effective top tube of about 48 cm, it would probably work well for a 4'10" rider.
#14
Senior Member
Liv bicycles are Giant's women specific brand. They have a wide range road, city and off-road bikes.
https://www.liv-cycling.com/global
https://www.liv-cycling.com/global
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 875
Bikes: custom Cyclery North (Chicago), Schwinn Circuit
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 350 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times
in
118 Posts
A bike from Bikesdirect.com would fit your friend. The "Mercier Elle Sport" has an extra small to accommodate someone her size. Here is the sizing chart for this particular bike:
Sizing Guide for details please consult the Geometry Chart
most riders 4'10" to 5'2" - choose the 42cm (XSmall) = standover 28"
most riders 5'3" to 5'5" - choose the 46cm (Small) = standover 30"
most riders 5'6" to 5'9" - choose the 50cm (Medium ) = standover 32"
Save Up to 60% Off Women Specific Road Bikes, Roadbikes - Mercier Elle Sport Womens Road bikes
The bike come in 5 different pretty colors. The drawback is you or someone will have to assemble the bike or pay a shop to do it.
Sizing Guide for details please consult the Geometry Chart
most riders 4'10" to 5'2" - choose the 42cm (XSmall) = standover 28"
most riders 5'3" to 5'5" - choose the 46cm (Small) = standover 30"
most riders 5'6" to 5'9" - choose the 50cm (Medium ) = standover 32"
Save Up to 60% Off Women Specific Road Bikes, Roadbikes - Mercier Elle Sport Womens Road bikes
The bike come in 5 different pretty colors. The drawback is you or someone will have to assemble the bike or pay a shop to do it.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,906
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,929 Times
in
2,554 Posts
Georgena Terry (Terry Bicycles) used to offer a line of woman specific bikes. My SO is 5' and has 2 XS models. They have a 700c rear and a 24" front wheel so they look a little funny, but she says they ride great. There is one on EBAY now. Item 362290577308 I have no affiliation but am quite familiar with the trials of trying to fit a 'vertically challenged' adult.
Ben
#17
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,523
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4357 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,018
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R 260 Disc; 2008 Trek 4.7 Madone; 2017 Framed Minnesota 3.0 Fat Bike; 1984 Nishiki International
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My daughter is under 5' and she has a Trek Lexa that fits her well. Not sure of the size.
#19
Senior Member
This is a notorious problem if you're under 5'. Options are thin on the ground.
My wife is 4'11" with a 23" cycling inseam (!). We were able to find a size 43 Cannondale Synapse. Even though it came with the smallest drop and reach bars I've ever seen, I had to swap the stem for a 60mm MTB stem to get the reach correct. The rest of the bike fits her well, albeit with only a few inches of visible seatpost. It has normal 700c wheels as well. Admittedly, this bike is perhaps overkill for your friend...
It might be humiliating to resort to a kid's bike, but it might work. Performance sells a 24" version of the Diamondback Hannjo with Claris for about $500. Not a bad option, maybe even a bit too small.
My wife is 4'11" with a 23" cycling inseam (!). We were able to find a size 43 Cannondale Synapse. Even though it came with the smallest drop and reach bars I've ever seen, I had to swap the stem for a 60mm MTB stem to get the reach correct. The rest of the bike fits her well, albeit with only a few inches of visible seatpost. It has normal 700c wheels as well. Admittedly, this bike is perhaps overkill for your friend...
It might be humiliating to resort to a kid's bike, but it might work. Performance sells a 24" version of the Diamondback Hannjo with Claris for about $500. Not a bad option, maybe even a bit too small.
#20
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,363
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
This is a notorious problem if you're under 5'. Options are thin on the ground.
My wife is 4'11" (pretends she's 5'0") with a 23" cycling inseam (!). We were able to find a size 43 Cannondale Synapse. Even though it came with the smallest drop and reach bars I've ever seen, I had to swap the stem for a 60mm MTB stem to get the reach correct. The rest of the bike fits her well, albeit with only a few inches of visible seatpost. It has normal 700c wheels as well. Admittedly, this bike is perhaps overkill for your friend...
It might be humiliating to resort to a kid's bike, but it might work. Performance sells a 24" version of the Diamondback Hannjo with Claris for about $500. Not a bad option, maybe even a bit too small.
My wife is 4'11" (pretends she's 5'0") with a 23" cycling inseam (!). We were able to find a size 43 Cannondale Synapse. Even though it came with the smallest drop and reach bars I've ever seen, I had to swap the stem for a 60mm MTB stem to get the reach correct. The rest of the bike fits her well, albeit with only a few inches of visible seatpost. It has normal 700c wheels as well. Admittedly, this bike is perhaps overkill for your friend...
It might be humiliating to resort to a kid's bike, but it might work. Performance sells a 24" version of the Diamondback Hannjo with Claris for about $500. Not a bad option, maybe even a bit too small.
DSCN0573 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
Yes, the wheels are a bit goofy and the small wheel makes the handling a bit different but it does work and it fit her.
A few years ago, I found a 650C Terry Symmetry on Bikes Direct which works even better...or, at least, it has the same sized wheels
IMG_1443 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
I've done extensive modifications to the bike...I kept the frame and fork but nothing else...to get it down to a 20 lb bike. Unfortunately, the aluminum Terry isn't made anymore and most of the old stock is gone.
Someone on other post was talking about smaller bikes and suggested Islabikes. Yes, they are kids bikes and, again, I'd probably only keep the frame (probably not even the fork as you can find 650C carbon forks out there) but it's a place to start. There are some other "youth" bikes out there that use 650C wheels as well. KHS has the Flite 650 which looks like a 'serious' bike. The Felt F95 Jr looks serious as well. Trek makes the Edmonda 650 and they have made 650C bikes in the past. My wife has an older 650C Trek at our daughter's house. And, while it's fairly expensive, Georgena Terry can make a new custom bike that will fit properly.
Bikes for small people are out there but you do have to hunt for them more than you do for us "normal" people.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
Specialized makes 24" wheel bikes. They are marketed as a kids bike but I've seen them. It's a decent bike. It's not Wal Mart level. And they aren't expensive so you could start with that frame and swap out some better components and still be at a decent price.
My 4'2" daughter was a little too small for that bike.
The down side is it's a 24" wheel bike. No matter what your friend does it's still going to be 24" wheels that aren't going to go as fast per revolution as a 26" or 29" wheel.
I don't think this is the best option for your friend. But it's worth knowing it exists and may be at least worth looking at. My LBS stocks at least 2 of the 24" bikes at all times. (They are apparently a solid seller for impulse buyers) so she might be able to walk in and at least sit on it for sizing.
My 4'2" daughter was a little too small for that bike.
The down side is it's a 24" wheel bike. No matter what your friend does it's still going to be 24" wheels that aren't going to go as fast per revolution as a 26" or 29" wheel.
I don't think this is the best option for your friend. But it's worth knowing it exists and may be at least worth looking at. My LBS stocks at least 2 of the 24" bikes at all times. (They are apparently a solid seller for impulse buyers) so she might be able to walk in and at least sit on it for sizing.
#22
Banned
Bike Friday in their Bantam versions can even build bikes fit for Munchkins in the Lollipop Guild ..
dwarfism.
making bikes for normally proportioned people is easier, by having 20" wheels
and unlike any folding bikes, makes a variety of frame lengths ,
in proportion to the riders size ..
in an order build queue, rather than one size, mass produced.
Ms G. Terry's bikes are another option, they go with a little smaller wheels
to be proportioned better..
....
dwarfism.
making bikes for normally proportioned people is easier, by having 20" wheels
and unlike any folding bikes, makes a variety of frame lengths ,
in proportion to the riders size ..
in an order build queue, rather than one size, mass produced.
Ms G. Terry's bikes are another option, they go with a little smaller wheels
to be proportioned better..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-17-18 at 11:09 AM.
#23
Senior Member
#25
Senior Member