fixed-gear small frame recommendations, please?
 

i'm looking for recommendations for really good small-frame track bikes. something with good geometry that comes in 47-49 cm (and is still as good at that smaller size).

i'm a 5'5"-ish woman currently riding a 47cm kilo tt. it has really strange geometry, and it's way too long for the size since the top tube doesn't slope at all.

i don't have any friends my size who ride so i figured i'd ask the internet!

http://www.irocycle.com/markvhdframeset.aspx

Takes 650c wheels only, but it should fit you a lot better if the 47 Kilo was too long.

For what its worth, also, I would look at the Geo chart for the Kilo and find out which measurement are feeling wrong. Then compare any new bike to that, and you'll have a close idea of the difference.

How much too long does it feel?

Hi and Welcome!

Im about your size and ive recently picked up a Leader 722ts in a 49. The geo is pretty decent but the top tube is a little on the long side. Started with a 100mm stem, felt a tiny bitstretched. Ive just ordered a 60mm cinelli ant to see how that feels, idk if its going to be to drastic of a change or not. I think i read some place that Leader made the frame to except shorter stems, or maybe that was just for the 725 idk.

Edit: Actually maybe not the best idea. Leader 722ts: 49cm tt is 525mm Kilo TT: 47cm tt is 513mm

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/...f795e104_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/...02a779de_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/...745fca95_z.jpg

thanks. i'm not opposed to 650 wheels, especially because i'm not a very big person.

chart says the top tube is 513mm, but it is literally straight across, where other frames have top tubes that slope so the distance is shorter, i figure. i've gotten used to riding it but it's kind of uncomfortable and it looks funny, like someone stretched it out. i should take a picture.

when its sloped the company usually has a measure of "actual tt" or something like that, that tells you the actual parallel toptube length.

Could look into this Dolan comes in a 45cm frame with a tt length of 511. Not much shorter but a pretty beautiful frame for a decent price imo.

My 5'3" wife rides a 51cm Leader 722:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ngiespoke4.jpg

My 5'5" GF rides a 50cm Kilo and it seems to fit her pretty well. It's interesting that yours is a size smaller and still doesn't fit you properly. There's also the 44cm Kilo TT, with a top tube of 50.3cm.

A picture of your setup would be help us get an idea of your body size.

could also try a shorter stem maybe? that might be a cheaper and simpler option then a whole new frame. But yes pictures would be nice

thanks for the help guys!
here is a picture of my bike... the seat is like 1.5 inches higher than in the picture but you get the idea.
http://i56.tinypic.com/110c1td.jpg

shorter stem might help. i was interested in frame ideas to think about more long-term, i can't really afford one right now anyway.

i think the top tube is the problem because if i raise the seat so it's more comfortable for me to reach the handlebars, then my feet don't touch the ground. it was the same with different handlebars too. maybe i just have a short torso.

Your feet should just barely be able to touch the ground if the seat is at the proper height. If I'm sitting on my saddle, I need to be on my tiptoes to reach the ground. I'm far from an expert on bike fitting, but I used this equation to adjust my saddle height and it worked great for me.

Seat height (in cm) = Inseam (cm) * 0.883

How far do your legs extend at the bottom of your pedal stroke? Sounds like you might have a combination of fit problems, which would all be influencing your poor fit.

they extend almost all the way? but not straight. (i just made my boyfriend watch me ride back and forth in our kitchen, haha)

i'd say "a combination of fit problems" describes my bike pretty well...

Shorter stem for sure. My girlfriend is 5'3" and rides a 49cm scrambler. Had a long 120ish mm stem and moved to an 80mm and made her a lot more comfortable.
You could also play around with the stem spacers too, from the looks of your bike in addition to stretching out you might be reaching up a little to high to be comfortable. Usually I would associate higher bars with a comfy upright position but if it feels too long as well it could add to the problem.

^+1

Can you move your seat a bit further forward? That helps. I am actually having the opposite problem. I found my 'dream' bike, top tube is way too short. I'm too far over the handlebars for my comfort.

that's what she said? (sorry someone had to)

Literally, too.

what's your inseam? My gf who is actually 5'2", was thinkin about squeezing onto a 47cm kilo as opposed to her previous 50cm tomasso which was too big.

my inseam is about 27". i think i just prefer a smaller bike. the 47cm kilo will probably be an okay size for her, but i do think that the proportions are a little off on the smaller size kilos...

Found this thread searching for small ss bikes. It seems like it would be too small for you, but thought I'd throw out the Fuji Classic Track or Fuji Declaration, both of which come in XXS 43cm frames with 650 wheels. I'll be trying out the Classic Track as soon as my LBS gets one in, but I'm a lot shorter than you at 5'1" and my inseam is about 26.4 inches.

The most frustrating thing (I find) about being a small cyclist is that a lot of LBSs refuse to keep the tiny frames in stock, and will only order them in if you commit to buying them (sight unseen/unridden!) I was lucky to find a shop that was willing to keep one on the floor if I don't end up buying it.

There's now a 'Womens' bike shop in Tribeca, it opened last year, but the smallest size they carry is a 52cm, and they specialize in like, Dutch bikes, and stuff.
So lame.

Get a rh+o MIT. Tiny

http://rhpluso.com/index.php?option=...122&Itemid=106

Oh my gawd. It's so cute! Mom! I want one!

Hahahaha