Ok - I've searched the threads but can't find exactly the answer I need, so I'll start this thread.

My girlfriend - 5'0" - wants to move up to a lighter bike. She doesn't want a road bike, just a good light hybrid with thinner tires so she can keep up with me better :D and also climb hills easier. We looked at the 2005 Trek 7300FX, which seems to be a pretty nice bike for the price and it's aluminum, so it's much lighter than her current bike. Also has a triple on the front, which she needs. Now, this bike is only made as a men's bike, but the bar is angled pretty low - almost like a woman's. The problem is the smallest size they make is a 15 inch and, when she's standing the bar is just a little too high for her to feel comfortable. A 14 inch in this model would be perfect, but as I said, it's unavailable.

The only other models that they have in women's frames are those "City & Bike path" models (like the Navigators) that are really just too heavy. There doesn't seem to be a huge market for good, economical and light hybrid frames for her size.

So, what's a good hybrid womens' model for her that's 1) light (aluminum) 2) inexpensive and 3) in her size?

Gary fisher make girl specific mtb frames which can easily be converted to a hybrid with new tires. 650 for the tassawhateverthenameoftheframeis. :D

Giant FCR, roadish frame with flat handle bars, comes in XS for $440

Cool. Just checked their site - the FCR 4. Looks like it could work. The Blue model I think would be preferable. Do you have that size/color at your place, Rev?

At this store we just have the small which has a 46 seattube 52 toptube, those are effective not actual lengths. It is the dream silver, looks a lot like chrome.

MTB tyres shod with narrow tyres are ideal for this type of riding however, lightweight small MTBs are hard to find.
Terry do bikes for small women and their hybrid seems quite good.
Kona may do some smaller models.
Beware with small bikes, they may be too long and a small rider needs narrow bars and short cranks.
Does the 52cm top tube above sound too long for a 5'0" rider?

Turns out we have an extra small at one of the other stores.

A 5' 0" person should be on a bike with 650 wheels. The top tube length on a 700 wheeled bike will be too long and the rider will be too stretched out.
Get her a WSD with 650 wheels, adjusting to drop handlbars will be much easier than dealing with a bike that doesn't fit.

Al

650c wheels are only available in narrow widths. For general purpose riding, 26" MTB size can be found in 1" upwards, at any bike shop. In the UK, smaller, lightweight touring/utility bikes are available with MTB wheels.

hmmm, we bought my wife a trek hybrid last year with no problems and it works great. I'd have to look and see the model number though.

My wife is 5' 2", and her Trek 7000 (16" woman's frame) fits her well. It's a 2004 model; I'm not certain the 2005 is the same.

Sorry I have no suggestions other than look at mtb frames and swap out the knobbie tires for some slicks.

I see many female riders (short) riding mtb's as commuters with slicks around town.
The extreme for fitting would be maybe shorter cranks, stem and chopping the h-bar shorter.

What's with the big Aluminium thing? It's primarily a cost issue not strength or ride.
A light steel bike is bloody expensive though -and they are very desireable. My chromoly mtb is 21-22 lbs.
And almost indestructable -rides like butter -without suspension. Cheap Alu bikes? =use front suspension.


Incline toptubes are specific in offroad racing, even cyclocross uses this now -though not to the extreme that offroad does. An older buddy -racer said when the first incline mtbs were out, many racers stuck up thier noses - said they resembled ladies bikes and wouldn't ride them.
They lost the wins. The incline makes a lower center of gravity and a slightly lighter bike. Both desireable frame mods.

I do suggest mtb for anybody of a shorter stature.
http://www.oldmountainbikes.com/cgi-....cgi?bike=9009 15 inch standover ATB.
Shortest this maker did, this is not by any stretch a steep incline -@ the time it was made, it was probably considered radical.

I'm not hot about hybrids...but the more upright riding position compared to road is a consideration ...I ride XC so i'm bent over kinda like a road bike.

I'm rambling.....good luck finding a nice bike, with steep incline frames the toptube reach is of greater importance to have fit well.
Also mtb frames tend to be fitted smaller than road frames -don't use the same fitting\ size.

Oh man...typing all this junk..I BURNT THE BACON!!!

Just bought the wife a Trek 7000 , I have the 7200 fx , so she can keep up with me.
She is 5'2 got the 15inch mens frame. It fits her very well,The bar could get tight on a 5 footer but riding and seating position should be fine as long as she gets comfortable starting and stopping. fazmo

Krestreldude, my girlfriend's about 5' 1" so she should fit the same bike your girlfriend does.
She tried the giant OCR's (which I believe have the same frame as the FCR's) and S was just good enough while XS was comfortable. In the end, she bought a specialized dolce elite in small and it fit pretty well (since it was designed for women in the first place).
Have you tried looking at the specialized sirrus bikes? Your gf would fit an XS really comfortably.
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...rrus_Red_d.jpg