emilywheeler

Hello everyone,

I am 5'2 with something in the range of a 26" inseam. Right now I have a 49cm beater that bruises my legs every time I stop abruptly so I'm in the market for something smaller. I could probably fit anything from a 44-48 cm frame depending on the maker. Ideally, I'd find an older model Bianchi Pista from before they changed their frame geometry, but I've also been looking at the Affinity Metropolitan (not too wild about owning a bike that was designed to be in a movie), All-City Big Block, or the Soma Buena Vista mixte (I hadn't really been looking into mixtes but that one seems a bit less...girly than some). Opinions on these models or suggestions for other extra small bicycles would be much appreciated.

-em

calv

You'd want a frame that could be compatible with 650b wheelsets, if not then the geometry tends to be a bit wonky to accommodate shorter riders on 700c wheels. I would look into the Soma Buena Vista. It's a beautiful bike.


The Fuji Betsy, IRO HD/Heidi, and Fuji Track (I think) come in XS sizes with 650b wheelsets, you could take a look at that. Also, fellow forum member MissKazz and her group Tiny Fix are supposedly in the works of getting an affordable custom track frame with smaller wheels.

seanifred

i'm pretty sure the metro was available quite a while before premium rush. but +1 on the soma. they look pretty

misskaz

I'm 5'1" with a similar inseam. I know well the search for bike that actually fits. I am in love with bikes with 650c wheels so I don't have to deal with toe overlap.

If I had the money, I'd get the Wabi Classic in 42cm with 650c wheels in a heartbeat.

I currently have the Fuji Classic in 43cm/650c and like it a lot, though it has twitchy handling which took a little getting used to.

Edited to add: Re: calv's comments, we are working with a local frame builder to design a ss/fg bike with road (not track) geo with 650c wheels, but his shop got flooded so that project is on hold for a bit.

seanifred

affinity does make a small lo pro with 650c

Point4ska

The impression I get from her post is that this is probably a commuter bike, I wouldn't recommend a lo-pro for that. Every single person I know who has bought a lo-pro for commuting sold it within a couple months.

emilywheeler

Thanks so much for your help everyone!

emilywheeler

What do people think of the Betsy vs the Buena Vista?

calv

Buena Vista hands down. Betsy is kinda.. sw8t fixay, i'd compare it to a Kilo TT. The Buena Vista is all around prettier, more versatile, and probably quite a step above your budget frameset if it's made with the same materials as the Soma Rush. I'm almost certain is has better geo than the Betsy if you want to ride the thing comfortably.

emilywheeler

I was so frightened of posting here for the first time but everyone is so nice and I know what bike I'm gonna get.

Training.Wheels

Sup

jpsawyer

Colossi also makes a super awesome mixte that has track dropouts so it would be great for a singlespeed. With shipping it would probably be a similar price as the Soma.
https://www.colossicycling.com/produc...er-urban-mixte

Nuggetross

650b does not equal 650c.

650c<650b<700c=29"<27"

Training.Wheels

29ers are smaller than 27" wheels?

calv

650c, then.

seau grateau

29ers run 700c rims. Usually they're just wider.

Training.Wheels

ahh. got it.

Siu Blue Wind

Welcome to Bike Forums, Emily!! And be sure to post pics of the bike you get, okay? We would love to see it!

Street rider

I'm shocked it took until post 11 for the first sup.

Also, sup?

striknein

sup

EnzoRWD

oh yeah 26" is a dangerous realm for the tire uninitiated.

https://sheldonbrown.com/26.html

I was rather upset when "29ers" were called such when they were just 700c. We don't need to add more names when there are already so many tire sizes. We had enough people come into the shop confused about 700c vs. 27" vs. the occasional 28 marked on a euro 700c tire. ay!

emilywheeler

I'm v. psyched about my new bike and will def post pics once I buy it and build it up etc.
Thanks for being so welcoming