Bike for small wife (5ft 45kg) to encourage cycling

[okiedokie]

Hi,

My wife is right on 5ft and I would like to get her a bike to encourage her to exercise and so that we can cycle together on occasion on the weekend.

In the past, when we lived overseas, I would ride a flat bar road bike and she would ride my folding Brompton, which actually fitted her well enough.

I have sold the Brompton and I am looking to get her something more specifically for her now that we live in Oz on the Gold Coast.

The problem is that most bikes are 700c wheels these days and I am reading that 700c wheels are too large for someone 5ft. Is this true?

I could get another folding bike but I don't really want to spend the $ on another Brompton. Also I have discovered that non-Brompton folding bikes have pretty ordinary gearing (e.g 44t chainring and 14-28 cassette on 20 inch wheels make them slow).

She is not super fit and I would like to give her every advantage with a light bike, efficient tyres and good gearing so that she can ride at a decent pace (that way I get to exercise too). I could get her a cheap 26-inch mountain bike with a small frame, but these are heavy with slow gearing and slow tyres.

My budget is around $300-$600 or so.

I am thinking my ideal bike for her would have thin 26-inch wheels with road bike gearing and a small light frame but flat handlebars. Basically a hybrid with 26 inch wheels - do these even exist?

[P!N20]

Get a taller wife.

Jokes.

You could try a Reid Viper with 24" wheels - they're only $300 if your wife decides she isn't into it.

Tokyo Bike do small sizes (47cm), but more $$.

[RobertL]

Hi,


I am thinking my ideal bike for her would have thin 26-inch wheels with road bike gearing and a small light frame but flat handlebars. Basically a hybrid with 26 inch wheels - do these even exist?

Yes - look towards the larger end of the kid's bikes for sale.

[okiedokie]

Get a taller wife.

Tokyo Bike do small sizes (47cm), but more $$.

Thanks for pointing that out. More expensive than I was looking for but they do exactly what I was after.

[P!N20]

More expensive than I was looking for but they do exactly what I was after.

They pop up on Gumtree fairly regularly. For example: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/campbel ... 1204156818

[Mike Ayling]

Yes - look towards the larger end of the kid's bikes for sale.

Mary never cycled as a child but she is perfectly happy on the back of our tandem.
We found a 24" wheel childs bike on a heavy rubbish pile and she started on that.
She wanted a bike with a low step through so we got her a nice red Bike Friday. Mega $$$ however.

Mike

[RobertL]

we got her a nice red Bike Friday. Mega $$$ however.

Mike

Ooh - we all want details now.

[Mububban]

Hi,

My wife is right on 5ft and I would like to get her a bike to encourage her to exercise and so that we can cycle together on occasion on the weekend.

The problem is that most bikes are 700c wheels these days and I am reading that 700c wheels are too large for someone 5ft. Is this true?

My budget is around $300-$600 or so.

My wife is the same height and weight and rides a Small sized ladies bike with step through frame and 700c wheels. No problems with handling it.

My 10 year old, 26kg daughter recently got an XS flat bar bike with step through and 700c wheels, she is average/small for her age but with the seat all the way down she feels safe on it. And coming from a 24" bike, she loves how well the 700c wheels roll.

[Mike Ayling]

we got her a nice red Bike Friday. Mega $$$ however.

Mike

Ooh - we all want details now.

Floor stock from our LBS who is an agent for Bike Friday.
These are steel frames and alleged to be hand made in America.
2 X 8 with twist grip shifters.
V brakes.(Discs are great for mountain bikes but I don't see the need for them pootling on bike paths)
Same Specialised women' s saddle that she has on the tandem.
About $1,800 (mega compared to the OP's budget of $400)

Mike

[antigee]

mrs antigee is about 5cm taller and recently loaned out her 50cm framed specialized for it to come back with a very jammed/deformed seatpost so I've been looking to replace and as usual can see plenty of bikes other sizes - try putting specialized dolce in ebay or gumtree and look for 48cm frames - these are 700c wheeled bikes but the shorter reach design suites some women - come in flat bar and drop bar depending on age and ambition of seller $500 is pretty typical pricing

Decathlon have recently arrived and recall one of mrs antigees (shorter) friends had a Triban (decathlon own brand) womens bike with 650b wheels if one of their stores is nearby might be worth a look

edit wouldn't be concerned about 700c wheels.. smaller wheels might give fractionally improved handling but not fit - depends how smart the designer has been with geometry on the small frame size

[Hollyford]

In relation to a bike for a small female - I am 153 and 50kg and after a lot of cost (a few expensive unsuitable bikes) I now have a great bike - the Vivente Anatolia in XS, DTT. When I was looking at it (online) I was sure it would not be right in terms of size and I didn't believe the latest model updates would be of any value. The owner of the company was adamant about the size being right (XS) and said that the latest updates did make it a better bike (and set out why). I was still very critical of the bike and potential performance before it arrived (partly due to so many problems with other bikes already referred).

I tried to find out about XS bikes from other similar size riders and from bike manufacturers and it was near impossible to get accurate and useful information - apart from Vivente.

Now I have the bike, I feel safe (DTT), the bike fits (XS) and it is amazing to ride. I so like it!

[Tim]

You made a good choice Hollyford.
I've had a VWR since 2012 and carried big loads all over Vic. and commuted on it in comfort and pleasure.
Noel was exceptionally helpful at the time and later when I needed to replace worn driveline parts.
The bike opened a whole new world of touring enjoyment with friends and other times solo.
The new bikes are very nice looking packages.
I trust you've seen this thread?
https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/view ... it=vivente
and this one;
https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/view ... 80&t=50053

[MichaelB]

A mate of mine has a wife of elven height (now thats naughty !!), anyway, she's 5' ona good day, and the best bike they found was a Norco Search in XS (they make an XXS, but don't bring it in to the country ???).

The best bit about this bike is that it has 650B wheels which helps with the standover height, and also provides slightly fatter tyres to aid in a more stable feel. Came with the new GRX groupset and a sweet candy apple red colour.

[Thoglette]

edit wouldn't be concerned about 700c wheels.. smaller wheels might give fractionally improved handling but not fit - depends how smart the designer has been with geometry on the small frame size

Dave Moulton and Grant Peterson disagree (links are places to start reading - the readers can do their own homework.)

As someone who got tall late, 24" wheels (pre 650C days) were the go. These days there's 24", 650C, 650B and 26" to chose from - there is no excuse to go and make a 47cm frame on 700C wheels. And wandering around the local carbon-fibre-wonderbike-shop yesterday uncovered three small wheel "modern" sporting bicycles on sale.

[baabaa]

These days there's 24", 650C, 650B and 26" to chose from - there is no excuse to go and make a 47cm frame on 700C wheels.

Umm No, no, NO... My daughter who is medium tall has a bike with 650c wheels. While it was and still is a great size, no one should should opt for this wheel size unless you wish to buy 23 mm and only 23 mm tyres. (AT)#$$^&*!!
25mm is about but rare and only at big $$
650B is the way to go now not 650C but for smaller bike yes think 24 inch
I dont need anymore bikes in our household but the mini velo bike type is a great way to cut down on storage space and even better travel on planes or tossing a few bikes in to back of a car.
extra fancy examples here.....
https://commutercycles.com.au/shop/velo ... elo-frame/
https://www.cycleexif.com/sven-cycles-mini-velo

[bychosis]

Small 26” mountain bike updated with skinny slick tyres, rigid forks and change the crankset?

Small bikes are often available second hand as kids grow out of them.

I picked up a quite decent S 26” bike for my son for $120. Threw probably $100 of parts at it. Don’t think I could buy anything equivalent for under $600 new.

[Thoglette]

These days there's 24", 650C, 650B and 26" to chose from - there is no excuse to go and make a 47cm frame on 700C wheels.

Umm No, no, NO... My daughter who is medium tall has a bike with 650c wheels. While it was and still is a great size, no one should should opt for this wheel size unless you wish to buy 23 mm and only 23 mm tyres

I don’t disagree on the limited choice of tyres. But that was not my point: my point was that 700C is a worse choice- particularly if you want a “sporty” bike running skinny tyres (and if you’re c. 55kg then 23mm allows less stupid tyre pressures than @100kg)

You are completely correct that it was remiss of me to neglect the 20” (and smaller) wheelsizes which are having a welcome resurgence and have many more wider tyre options.

[Cider]

I hope it's not bad form to ask my question on an existing thread, but if I started a new one it would probably have the same title anyway!

My partner is exactly the same size, and we're looking for a cheap introduction bike for her to join me on rides. We'll spend more if she likes it and once we know what we want. Our problem is that my bike is (well, will be) a touring/bikepacking 29"x3.0" rig to carry my hefty frame over hard corrugations, which are the primary road surface near home (where we both want to explore).

Obviously we'll try some different options but I'm wondering where best to start. I'm thinking a rigid 26" MTB in either a small women's or boy's frame shouldn't be too hard to find lightly used, would that give her a comparable ride to mine over corrugations, or do you think we should go for suspension?

[Comedian]

I believe there are some 650c kids road bikes. Might be worth an investigate.

[Andy01]

I hope it's not bad form to ask my question on an existing thread, but if I started a new one it would probably have the same title anyway!

My partner is exactly the same size, and we're looking for a cheap introduction bike for her to join me on rides. We'll spend more if she likes it and once we know what we want. Our problem is that my bike is (well, will be) a touring/bikepacking 29"x3.0" rig to carry my hefty frame over hard corrugations, which are the primary road surface near home (where we both want to explore).

Obviously we'll try some different options but I'm wondering where best to start. I'm thinking a rigid 26" MTB in either a small women's or boy's frame shouldn't be too hard to find lightly used, would that give her a comparable ride to mine over corrugations, or do you think we should go for suspension?

You could try looking at the Liv (Giant's women's bikes) site - they have a Liv Bliss XS which might work - it is a 26" MTB. I bought my wife (5'6" & 52kg) a Liv Bliss 2 2019 model in size Medium in January 2020 and she has done over 2000km on it so far. A decent specced (entry level) bike and it she is very happy with it. Her Medium is a 27.5" version and I see the current XS is a 26" version and it has a standover height that is 80mm (over 3") less than the Medium.

https://www.liv-cycling.com/au/bliss - $549

[Cider]

You could try looking at the Liv (Giant's women's bikes) site - they have a Liv Bliss XS which might work

That looks like a great option, thanks. An ali frame is probably perfect, and the price seems reasonable. We'll check them out.

[Thoglette]

At the other end of the price spectrum there is a 47cm Rivendell Atlantis on ebay at the moment.

[Cider]

Thanks Thoglette, we actually picked up a Liv Tempt 2, which we could get with 29" wheels even in the small frame. It's just a touch big for her but she likes it. We'll swap out the handlebar for something with a little more rise and sweep, and I think it'll serve her well for a while.

[Thoglette]

I occasionally see a Liv in the bike shed at work - looks like a nice bike!

[Maureen Waters]

I am a 5ft woman who has a tadpole trike. My 6ft 4inch husband cant keep up with me.