Which bike for a short woman w/ bad back?
 

Hi there. I'm hoping that all you experts out there can advise me regarding which models might suit my needs. I'm 5'2" w/ 30.5" inseam and ride mainly on paved trails. I might rarely get on compact & level trails, but won't be doing any stump jumping. I have problems w/ neck, back, & joints, so I don't want to lean over or have pressure on my wrists. Despite those problems, I'm in pretty good shape & love going fast, but won't be racing.

So far I've only looked at the Giant FCR3w Xsmall bike. In your experience, what others should I be considering?

Terry Precision make bikes that are esp suited to smaller women; they have very short top tubes.

You are going to probably need a woman specific design. I am 5'2" and have a 27" inseam. Your legs are much longer than mine, and that is what the WSD bikes are for. You may even want to look at touring bikes. They tend to be bombproof and have a more upright geometry.

This is the wrong forum but I have to say that recumbent might be your best bet.

Yeah, this probably is the best way to go. There would be zero weight on your wrists with a recumbent.

Recumbents can be very fast! Just not up hill!

Click HERE for more info.

In addition to the FCR, check out Trek's FX line or the Terry Susan B. There are hybrids that are more upright in their geometry but can be slower due to wider wheels and/or unnecessary front suspensions that rob power. I got my wife a Trek 7.5FX WSD. She had owned a hybrid but it was too slow and clunky.

Get thee to a bike shop that carries a wide range of products and can do fittings. Tell them about your health conditions and concerns and what you want to do with a bike. Ride a variety of bicycles and use their guidance to find one that suits your needs. I would agree that you will probably want something with relaxed geometry but you never know. You may find a frame that suits you perfectly and still gets style points from the guys hanging out in front of Starbucks.

Almost forgot, if you are in a shop and they don't seem to have anything that suits and won't tell you that you're probably in the wrong shop.

I have a chronic back problem (compression fracture of T5). When I'm on the bike is one of the few times my back _does not_ hurt.

I know someone your size who had back surgery and now rides a Specialized Roubaix. Loves it. Less beating on her back than her previous bike.

I can't address the shortness factor, but I do know about the health issues. I've had back surgery (disc herniation L4-5) and I also have joint issues due to arthritis so I know all about aching hands and wrists. I turned to biking after running and other sports were too demanding on the back and knees.

I thought I would be restricted to an upright hybrid, but a lot of the newer bikes have relaxed geometry that are actually comfortable. I test-rode a few and went with a Cannondale Synapse Alloy, which I am enjoying greatly. I don't have any pain in the back when I ride and it's not a problem on the wrists either, especailly if you move your hands around a lot. Admittedly, I don't use the drops much because of the wrists, but that's not a big deal to me. So if you're interested in a road bike, don't automatically assume you won't be able to find one that works for you. You just may.

And 5'2 is not that short for a woman. I'm sure your LBS sees your size all the time!

+1 for the 7.5FX

+1

No, it isn't that short for a woman. But apparently bike manufacturers think women under 5'4" don't ride bikes. It ain't easy finding a bike that fits a short woman. It was nearly impossible about 10 years ago.

My seven-year-old has a nice bike from Target. Maybe she can sell it to you when she outgrows it. :)

Do you like pink and purple with streamers?

It's all about the training. I can hang with most pacelines up most hills.

Look seriously at bents. A great one to start with is the rans rocket.

Well that is condescending..... But I would still kick your a$$ riding it.

Condescending? I was just making a little joke there. Geez. Go kick somebody else's ass.

Wow! What great ideas! I’ve also been assuming that I would be limited to choices of upright hybrids. I've only been to BikeSport in Ballard and talked to them about a Giant Cypress (which is actually made in Xsmall & 2Xsmall). They said it wasn't a hybrid, and the tires are certainly narrower. I guess it falls between a hybrid and a road bike.

So your recommendations are:
Terry Precision
WSD bikes
Recumbent, including rans rocket
Trek 7.5FX WSD
Terry Susan B
Specialized Roubaix
Cannondale Synapse Alloy
A seven-year-old's bike from Target with pink and purple streamers

I'm leaning towards making an offer on that Target bike. The streamers might be the deal clincher for me!

Seriously, though, this is great information. I'm not at all informed about bike options. For years I ran, then turned to blading, which I still do. It'll be great to have another way to keep in shape that's fun besides gym, walking, and blading.

Here's a dumb question: What's WSD?

Women Specific Design.

Generally bikes with shorter top tubes and/or longer seat tubes. Sometimes they come with narrower handlebars.

My wife is 5' 2" and I finished her Bleriot today.

http://www.rivbike.com/bikes/bleriot

And it's not a brand, it's a choice. I think Trek coined the term, but other manufacturers do and probably always did design models specifically for women.

Sweet! It may not have those pink and purple streamers, but it's hot! :D
I'll probably go with a lower-priced (<$1000) bike to start, knowing that I'll better understand the subtleties of what works for me and what doesn't as I put a lot of miles on it. I still want to learn about higher end because I'll probably be in the market for one in a few years! Maybe a Sirrus Comp from Craig's List for now?

Makes sense. I need all the help I can get w/ the fit: Long-ish legs, short arms reminiscent of T-Rex, bad joints! Sheesh!