PhotoJoe 

My wife and I have been riding together since about July. My 13 year-old daughter has been joining us, and taken to it big-time! I love it, but she's TINY. She is the shortest one in her grade BY FAR. Right now, she's riding a little Trek MTB, but it's geared so low she spins out. I've even had the cassette changed. So, I stopped by my LBS last week and let her sit on some road bikes. It seems she could fit on a 44cm Specialized Dolce. They said they would have to do some trick stem work, something about a BMX "jumping" stem? Don't know - that's greek to me. Anyway, anybody know of any shops around that have dusty stock in the dungeon? I'm watching CL, but not finding what I want.

The wish list:
44cm women's specific frame. Anybody know of a 42 or 43?
Sora would be fine for her. I think this will be a short-term bike. I think she'll grow enough that her next one can be a little nicer.
Aluminum with carbon fork.
Hoping to not exceed $500, but may be smoking my breakfast.
A couple years old is just fine!
I'd like to buy local (SoCal), allowing me to put the shipping cost into the purchase price.
650c wheels minimum, prefer 700c
The 24" kids road bikes are too small (FINALLY!)

Open to suggestions on other brands that may have geometry advantages. I know I can research this on websites. I just haven't had the time. Will probably do that this weekend sometime. Thanks for any thoughts.

hamster

Surly has a few road models that go down to 42, but they are not woman-specific, lean towards touring, and have steel frames. But you can get them with 700c. You're looking at about $1200 if new. Your closest dealer seems to be Topanga Creek Bicycles in Topanga.

Cannondale makes women-specific CAAD10 in 44. MSRP $1500 with Tiagra.

TrojanHorse

PJ, I'm in the same boat - my 10 yr old son did the 25 mile ride on Tour de Palm Springs and said he could have gone 35 or 40! But... his heavy front suspension pseudo mountain bike is a burden. he probably averages about 11 mph but I've seen him crank that thing up to 17 when he wants to get going. His mom rode with him and she's the one that thinks he needs a road bike.

I just got back from the local specialized dealer (mostly because I wanted to buy some nutrition stuff) but we checked out bikes. I think they have a lower end dolce that runs about $800 or so.

I'm tempted to get a nashbar al frame and build one up for him (they're about $99 for frame only) - I know it's not going to last very long because you know the split second I get it set up for him he'll have a 6 inch growth spurt. He's about 4'10" right now.

CACycling

This model goes down to 42cm and is at your price point:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sheila_pro_womensbikes.htm

TrojanHorse

If you look at their sizing recommendations (very detailed fit calculator there, hah!) they say:

most riders 4'10" to 5'2" - choose the 42 (XSmall) = standover 28"
most riders 5'3" to 5'5" - choose the 46 (Small) = standover 30"
most riders 5'6" to 5'9" - choose the 50 (Medium) = standover 32" fits

I think they're reporting only the seat tube, which is a misleading way to measure a bike anymore but elsewhere I saw them comparing their 43cm to a traditional 49-51cm frame, so that's something to be aware of I guess.

Here's another interesting option, but again - the sizing is hard to tell.
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...ODUCT.ID=32175

PhotoJoe 

A little more than I want to spend, but for an Apex bike, may be worth considering. Thanks.

TampaRaleigh

+1. My wife rides one of the 42cm, and she's barely 5' tall. The only change that I made was swapping the long (and heavy) adjustable stem for an 80mm carbon stem.

Yo Spiff

My wife rides a Miyata with 700c rear and 24" front wheels. It's about a 44-45cm frame. The design was popularized by Georgana Terry.


Miyata 512 by Yo Spiff, on Flickr

I've seen several Terry bikes recently on my local Craigslist. I think if you are patient, one can be found.

Bikegeek1968

Jamis has some female specific bikes that go down to 44cm. They also have youth bikes in 24" and 650c wheels. Or at least they used to. I am looking at the 2013 catalog and no longer see any youth road bikes. We have a shop down here in Dana Point that has one of the 44cm bikes for rent.

My son is about to outgrow his 24" wheeled Jamis, but fortunately we have a girl who will be needing it in a couple of years. Unless she ends up with one of those little Pinarellos.

jsigone

that ridley yana is nice and you get a better grouppo for a bit more or same price as sora bikes.

Beachgrad05

I've seen children on small Felt bikes...such as this tho this example is likely smaller than what you are looking for...

Turns out it comes in 44cm..
https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013...es/F95-Jr.aspx



Or this one that comes in Petite, Small, Medium and Tall for $809
https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013...ies/ZW100.aspx

This one the F24 is cheaper than the F95 with Carbon fork: $829 (comes in size for someone 4' 7" according to their fit...and so does the F95 linked at beginning of this post.
https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013...eries/F24.aspx

Not sure if the Z100 is that small as it did not come up as option when I did their size deal...just the F95 jr and the F24

Keep searching CL

Beachgrad05

Think for carbon fork bike...you will likely be in the $750 to $850 range at minimum. If you go new. That Ridley linked above is on sale for $750 which is a killer deal!

iTrek

Looking on CL you can find some of the older Treks in smaller sizes. As an example, my son has an older Trek w/Carbon and Ultegra in 44cm that I picked up for $250.

PhotoJoe 

Thanks everyone. Good food for thought. The hunt will go on.

As far as the Competitive Cyclist deal, their XXS is larger than the XS Specialized Dolce she sat on.

And "Cupcakes" is 4' 7.5".

Beachgrad05

The small Felt might be great option....hope you find something on Craig's List etc....gotta figure they are out there as kids outgrow this stuff....

terrymorse 

Fuji road bikes go down to 44 cm seat tubes. This model might be to your liking:

https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/detail..._c#bk_desc_tab

Be sure to check the stand over height, don't want to put those soft tissues at risk. If that top tube is too high for her, there's this 650c bike:

https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/detail...mp#bk_desc_tab

PhotoJoe 

I want to avoid the 24" road bikes for sure. I think she's going to outgrow one of those too quickly. Plus they hold their value REALLY well. Used they often go for within $100 of purchase price. The 650b may be an option. I just need to keep my eyes open for a deal. It's hard being this cheap!

Jan Feetz

The Bikes Direct Sheila is a pretty good deal for 500 bucks. There is a bike fit calculator on the Competitive Cyclist site that will help you out with the fit and it comes with an adjustable stem as well....just my 2 cents.

furballi

A 46 cm "Terry" bike (700c rear, 24" front) should fit riders up to about 5' 6". My 4' 11" ex GF rode a 46 cm Centurion Ironman Expert (Shimano 105 equipped with butted Tange#1 Cr-Mo...about 21 lbs). She logged about 10 miles on the pink/white bike before it went into storage.

PM me if you want pictures and specs.

PhotoJoe 

Thanks. I can't help but to expect a 46 would be too big. The 44 she tried was still stretching it a tad.

Beachgrad05

Felt F24 on CL looks like in the OC... $600 but no size listed

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/3608835477.html

TrojanHorse

That felt doesn't look right... I can't quite put my finger on it.

Why are all the bikes under 50cm designated women's bikes? Are there no short young men out there who need road bikes?

PhotoJoe 

The felt F24 is 24" wheels and a 43 or 44cm frame. The F95 JR is a 650 wheel on a 44cm frame. I've looked at the F24 and I think she'll outgrow it too quickly, but could be wrong. Besides, I'm struggling spending $600 on a used Microshift/Sora bike. For $800, I can get a brand new 2012 Dolce with Tiagra.

Unlikely Cyclist has a 44 Bianchi that was intriguing, too.

I really appreciate people keeping their eyes open!

TrojanHorse

I don't understand the price of used bikes either - especially around here. "My butt graced this bike's saddle ergo it's worth more than a bike shop's unused NOS version of the same thing"

Beachgrad05

I did not look at the bike too closely. I say go Bianchi.