Need help with hybrid bike sizing for my wife. She's 5'5" (168cm). Her standover height is 31". I did search on-line and came up with 17" based on her height/standover. Now, on-line retailer recommended 15" bike. She knows how to ride and it is not a novice that needs to be close to the ground just in case :-) 15" to me looks like it could be too small.

Thanks.

People are different. One can be 5'5" and have long legs in proportion to their torso - or visa-versa. I'd suggest she be fitted by a good bike-shop. And that one buy the bike from a shop, rather than on-line. A warranty is one very good reason. And service is around zero on-line.

The cheapest hybrid bike at my LBS is $530 + tax and I do not have that kind of money. My budget is $300. Another store that I went to on the way back from work said that they do not even carry the low priced models. So I am stuck with ordering on-line or going to Target. Either way I am on my own when it comes to sizing. That's why I am looking for help here.

Rivendell Bikes have some advice HERE. That will take you to the first page, look along the right side of the page and you will see three other links under the third topic "Bike Fit". He likes to put people on large frames. Most people would tell me to go with 19", my LBS put me on a 21", and the Rivendell method would have me on a 21-23". My bike fits fine other than I need to raise the handlebars some, so I think that bikes at the low end of Rivendell's range are a good fit, based on a sample of 1! I would say that you should run through the Rivendell method and if it comes out as large or larger than the size you are leaning towards it will help confirm your thinking.

Unless that is the method you have already used, then I would say that it works pretty well and I would not worry if it comes out a size larger than what others recommend.

Ken

I bought my girlfriend a Trek 7100 3 years ago. She is about 5'6 and I got her the 16" (Medium size) and it fits her good, but everyone is different, so she needs to try a few first. Paid about $320 before tax. Maybe try to save up a little more, or go for a used bike in good shape...

Visit a few bike shops, and ride some different sizes to help you determine what size she needs, and likes best.

Then, go buy from whomever fits your budget - nothing wrong with buying on-line....... To me, many sellers, including LBS, often try to put you on a too small bike.

The reach will be the deciding factor, as it soundls like she has long legs for her height. Can she reach the handlebars comfortably, is she cramped, does she feel like she is too stretched out? Seat tubes are ultra adjustable, reach - not so much.....

Buy what you can afford, and enjoy the wind in your face OFTEN!

I am 5'5" and have three TREKS WSD: Navigator 2.0 = 16.5", 7.5FX = 17", 2.1 = 52 CM. Although each person is different, and each bike style will vary some, I would say that you are in the ballpark. Hope this helps.

P2

Not to confuse you but I'm 5'5" with a 30 inch standover. I have several bikes. My Trek Navigator is 16.5, my full suspension Kona is 15", My hardtail Kona is 16", my Gary Fisher XC suspension is 17" and my roadie is a compact 50cm (custom so I know it's right). Please take note that the mountain bikes will have a smaller frame that allows the rider to move around with the bumps and rocks of mountain biking.

Top tube length is more important than seat tube length (what the frame is usually measured by in inches) because some may feel too cramped or too stretched. For the kind of riding hybrid user do, I would suggest a clearance of the top tube by one inch, you don't want to really touch the bar or be too far from it. Hence the reason for geometry listings on the websites. Easier that way to figure.

Have your wife try bikes at the LBS that are similar in build to the one you're looking at online. Better to be sure before you buy, especially if you're buying online.

I'm 5'5" with a 30.5" standover and I just bought a 17.5" Trek Allant WSD. This was after testing both the 15" and 17.5" models. My Tricross is a 49cm frame, which might be considered small for my height. You really can't tell without actually getting on the bike, so get as close to that scenario as you can by testing those that are similar.