I am 5' 2" tall. My current commuter is a Windsor Tourist in 43cm. My Bianchi SS/FG is about that size as well, but with a bit more aggressive geo. My Jamis Allegro was the smallest frame size available at the time at 16". So it goes without saying I take the smaller frames! All the bike shop owners that have fitted me say I am just short in the legs.

In the next month or so I want to build a new SS/FG from scratch (I buy a *new* ride every two years). So of course I am looking at frames. I was on Scrod's website and the Leader frames caught my eye, the smallest offered being 46cm. I also see that the Kilo TT frames go down to 44cm.

So what I am I to do? Buy the Kilo and upgrade the components right away? Or buy the bare Leader frame and start fresh? I've never built up a bike from all new before. I have done rebuilds on older bikes, so this will be a learning experience for me.

ETA: I am open to both steel or aluminum. Carbon if the price is right.

Leader's geo - which tends to be long and low to begin with - is a little wacky on their smaller frames but if you're of average proportions with shorter legs, you may find it to work really well. I suggest measuring the top tubes on your current frames (assuming they fit you) and seeing what comes closest.

The Specialized Langster comes in 46 I believe. And the Jamis Sonik also comes pretty small.

@TejanoTrackie or @misskaz might be able to help.

(I'm not sure I did the mention thing right)

Mention worked
I appreciate the mention but I'm no expert and don't have the kind of money it takes to be buying and trying out tons of bikes. TejanoTrackie probably has tried more bikes than me. That said, good timing -- I just this morning posted on Tiny Fix a pretty comprehensive list of the bikes that the shorter Tiny Fix women ride, including the ones we like and the ones we don't. Not sure that there's anything earth shattering in there - mostly stuff that's already mentioned in any of the other Short People posts. Also I realize you're a dude so some of the mixte frames are not something you'd be interested in (and frankly, none of us like either).

Wabi goes down to 42. Richard used to have a bike that was geared for smaller people, used 650b wheels, but i think it's been disco'd. I've never ridden a Wabi, but most people who own them, love them.

https://www.wabicycles.com/classic_bike_spec_11.html

Buying the Kilo with the intent to immediately upgrade isn't the best idea. The frame isn't anything special, it's the packaged deal on the Pro that appeals to people on that bike, not bad for the price.

Not used to, still does. 650c not b. https://www.wabicycles.com/classic_bike_spec_650C.html.

Hope that this will be my next bike.

I just saw this thread. I'm 5'-3" with a 28" inseam and ride bikes with both 650c and 700c wheels. I have a discontinued 42cm c-c Wabi Lightning with 650c wheels that has exactly the same geometry as the current Wabi Classic. The big differences between them is material, weight and cost. I also ride a 49cm Soma Rush with 700c wheels that fits me exactly the same. I just have a longer stem on the Wabi, because the top tube is shorter. The only difference is standover, which is not important. The thing to watch out for in small 700c frames is wonky geometry, which makes for sloppy handling. The thing about bike frames like the 46cm Leaders is that the geometry is not wonky, because they make the top tubes a bit longer. I have a 48.5cm Leader that is a bit long for me, but I think a 46cm would have been perfect. I put risers on the Leader with a short stem, so the fit is good now.

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I think your site is down. I'm surprised you weren't the first to mention the Wabi, too.

Thanks for the replies. Never gave the 650 wheels a thought until now. Are frames 650 specific? Links would be helpful!

I have no trouble with the link using Firefox or Safari.

I thought I'd read he discontinued that bike. I've never been able to keep the 650 sizing straight.

I'm seriously looking at a Wabi myself.

That Wabi looks like an option. I guess I kinda forgot about the 650 bikes. So how do I go about sizing? Standover height?

Specifically with Wabi, Richard has always been helpful when I've contacted him.

Standover height is irrelevant to bike sizing. The most important measurement is top tube length, which determines how far you have to reach from the saddle to the handlebar. As long as you can adjust the saddle height such that your legs reach the pedals properly and the handlebar height is where you want it relative to the saddle, then the frame size will work for you. I've always found this video useful:

Great video!

No problem with Chrome.

I used a fit calculator to get started for size.

I can't remember the exact figures but with my short legs the Leader fit right into the measurements with it's longer top tube. I think it's something like a 49 frame that has a 53 TT. It works fine.

looks like the site is being a little slow for me. i get timeouts linking directly to the post but not to the main page. thanks for the heads up.