MattDwyerva

My wife has a short inseam and currently has a Trek hybrid that can't use wide tires. Fine for road, but not great for gravel trails. Possible that easy singletrack could appeal, but not rock gardens. Just wish I could get her a light bike with wider tires (any susp adds weight but .. maybe front is ok) and at least rear eyelets. Wishing I could get her a light cross bike with eyelets in size XS, but looks like that sort of thing ($2K) ain't coming with eyelets. Tourists need not apply. Could get hardtail mtb, but if I want eyelets, you apparently have to promise to get heavy models.

I guess I could get the Tubus fit solution kit or OMM rack as long as I avoid non-QR rear wheels? Or try something like a Salsa Vaya 2... if I can find someone who carries the smallest version for a test ride.

If you have suggestions, fire away.

fietsbob

The Bike Friday Is a nice bike , and is made as the order comes in.. in Oregon..

The 406 20" wheels are both Rugged and light ..


Take a look at their NWT, It is a Made for touring Bike , they also make racks to fit. and

For touring purposes , knock down so they and the bike fit in a suitcase to Fly to places you want to see.

Once you see hers , you might like one yourself..


I like My Pocket Llama. a bit more rugged, running a 1.75" wide tire, disc brakes ,

and my favorite drive train ... the Rohloff rear hub.


Additional alternatives,
Terry builds around 26" wheels , her bikes may be a good fit.

MattDwyerva

I was looking for gravel bike, NWT looks a bit harsh for that. I can see yours is designed for that however.

I think I am basically looking for the child of a Salsa Fargo and a Terry Tailwind, and maybe a Fargo and a Felt F3X. Something like this:

Light frame (carbon is nice but greedy perhaps), with sub-70 cm standover height
Flat bars
mtn - not road compact - double crank (e.g, 28/40)
11-34 rear rear cassette
maybe disc brakes altho not essential
eyelets for racks
650B wheels (26" ok)
circa 40 mm tires

maybe 24 lbs

niknak

It sounds like you're searching for a unicorn. You're looking for a lightweight rough stuff bike for a small rider. Most small production bike frames have the same tubing as you'd find on the large models; they're totally overbuilt. My wife rode a custom bike that fits your description and loved it until she was hit by a car and the bike was destroyed. She now rides the smallest Surly LHT, which is a @#% tank. She has trouble lifting it up to take on public transit and the front end geometry makes the front wheel flop very easily. It works but it's not great. I'd love to set her up with another custom frame, but she opposes spending money on herself. Weird. I know.

Good luck with your search.

MattDwyerva

Yup, although ... while the flat bars are pushing it, the rest seems pretty logical. I guess the issue is not enough women ride cross bikes, at least based on what I see available. Trek makes a ton of fast WSD bikes for women, but they all look like pavement only please.