velostring

Hullo ladies. I'm building up a road bike for my sweetheart using her basic guidance that it be built with a matte black frame and pink wheels. She is 63 inches tall *(5'3") with an inseam of 30 and 1/8 inches. Can you please recommend to me what frame sizing makes most sense to you. This bike will be a casual, first road bike for her for distances of 10 to 35 miles using Tiagra/Sora/105 level components. Any other advice on bike fit for ladies that might not occurr to a stupid man also appreciated.

Cheers, velostring

Pi}{ie

I think we discovered from my thread yesturday that bike fitting is very individual. I'm shorter than her and probably ride a bigger bike than she will. I'd reccomend you go take her to a shop and have her try out frames, and get fitted. This way you can buy the best fitting frame, crank, seatpost, stem, handlebars, etc.

Machka 

First, I am 5'6" with a 31" inseam and I ride a 49.5 cm, custom-built, bicycle ... so that might give you some idea.

Second, most women have long legs and short torsos, and most men have short legs and long torsos. Therefore, most women need a bicycle with a short top tube ... or if that is impossible, then at least a short stem to bring the handlebars closer.

Third, if she is at all nervous and uncomfortable on a bicycle, make sure she has at least 2" of clearance when she stands over the top tube. Sloping top tubes are very good for this.

zacster

I bought my daughter a 44cm Specialized Dolce Vita (not the current hybrid one, but the older tri/road one) and she was 5'. Now she's 5'2" and while she still fits the bike, she won't for long unless she stops growing. The bike has a short top tube and lots of clearance for her. So I'd say a 44 is too small. A 47 or 48 WSD type bike might be OK for someone 5'3" that isn't growing anymore. But the first answer gives good advice, take her to a shop and try them out. And if they don't fit, then you can spend a lot more money and get a custom frame in any color she wants.

I may have a barely used 44cm Dolce Vita from 2005 for sale soon, with 105 9sp components.

aicabsolut

She sounds like she might be a good candidate for a WSD bike, but that will depend on her flexibility and effective reach. She might have a shorter torso, but long arms and a flexible lower back that would make a unisex bike more comfortable. I'm 5'7" with a 31.5" inseam or so, and I ride a regular 54cm frame (with a 54.8cm TT and 110mm stem). A 54 WSD frame is way too cramped for me. I'd say maybe a regular 50cm frame would fit, but it's hard to tell. She should try out a bunch and see what's comfortable.

Surferbruce

my wife is about 5'2" and she fits an effective toptube of 50cm. it's hard to find anything smaller that still uses 700c wheels (not that 650c's are bad). she runs a 70mm stem and compact bars too. hope that helps get you in the ballpark.