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Which hybrid for 5' lady

by DoctorFish
Sun, Apr 28, 2019 16:00
16

Hello,

I was just tidying up my wife's old Specialized Sirrus (size XS) to see if my daughter is now tall enough for an adults bike.  Anyway, I noticed a significant crack in the headtube, so that frame is rather dead (I've e-mailed specialised but the bike is about 14 years old or so, I'll see what they say).

Anyway, so now we need a new bike for my daughter who is nearly the same height as my wife, 5'.  And we will also need a new bike for my wife.

I was considering just buying another Sirrus or two, but have also been looking on the internet at other options.

Are there any you would recommend?  I am also thinking that a large childs bike would be an option, but my wife might find that a bit patronising!  My wife doesn't currenly cycle much, but it would be nice if we could all pootle to the local cafe, or get out to a pub together.

Cheers.

 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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16 comments

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dottigirl | 5 years ago
1 like

Oh, FFS. Can we avoid suggesting shorter stems for small bikes please?

It really ***** up the handling to dangerously twitchy levels, and scares women away from cycling.

Anyone who even mentions it is displaying horrible ignorance and cares little about that rider's safety or comfort. 

STOP doing it.  Just stop.

Buy a bike that fits. Full stop. 

 

Avatar
henryb replied to dottigirl | 5 years ago
4 likes

dottigirl wrote:

Oh, FFS. Can we avoid suggesting shorter stems for small bikes please?

It really ***** up the handling to dangerously twitchy levels, and scares women away from cycling.

Anyone who even mentions it is displaying horrible ignorance and cares little about that rider's safety or comfort. 

STOP doing it.  Just stop.

Buy a bike that fits. Full stop. 

This isn't true - fitting a slightly shorter stem will not turn your bike into a deathtrap. Bike fit is not just about frame size - sometimes a shorter or longer stem is needed for proper fit and comfort. This is why they sell shorter and longer stems. It's not just shorter riders either: I'm 5' 11" and have the right sized frame, but needed a stem 2cm shorter than the 'stock' stem to get a comfortable position, and the handling of my bike is fine - not "twitchy" at all.

Avatar
dottigirl replied to henryb | 5 years ago
0 likes

henryb wrote:

dottigirl wrote:

Oh, FFS. Can we avoid suggesting shorter stems for small bikes please?

It really ***** up the handling to dangerously twitchy levels, and scares women away from cycling.

Anyone who even mentions it is displaying horrible ignorance and cares little about that rider's safety or comfort. 

STOP doing it.  Just stop.

Buy a bike that fits. Full stop. 

This isn't true - fitting a slightly shorter stem will not turn your bike into a deathtrap. Bike fit is not just about frame size - sometimes a shorter or longer stem is needed for proper fit and comfort. This is why they sell shorter and longer stems. It's not just shorter riders either: I'm 5' 11" and have the right sized frame, but needed a stem 2cm shorter than the 'stock' stem to get a comfortable position, and the handling of my bike is fine - not "twitchy" at all.

Oh, FFS.

It is true.

I know what I am talking about as I am short. I am <5'4". I ride smaller bikes. You do not.

YOU ARE 5'11''.

You lost me there.

Your drop handlebars are probably 40, 42cm+ wide. 

Smaller road bikes, especially those for someone 5', have bars 36, 38cm wide.

You stick a short stem on those, especially if the frame's too big, and the handling goes mental. You create a deathtrap for that rider. 

I have ridden bikes like that, and I have seen people trying to ride bikes like that. It is scary. They are a danger in a group, cannot descend with any safety, or safely take a drink, or signal, and spend most of their time clinging on for dear life as every small movement could send them off the road or under the nearest vehicle.

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Simon E replied to dottigirl | 5 years ago
0 likes

dottigirl wrote:

I know what I am talking about as I am short. I am <5'4". I ride smaller bikes. You do not.

YOU ARE 5'11''.

You lost me there.

Your drop handlebars are probably 40, 42cm+ wide. 

Smaller road bikes, especially those for someone 5', have bars 36, 38cm wide.

You stick a short stem on those, especially if the frame's too big, and the handling goes mental. You create a deathtrap for that rider. 

I have ridden bikes like that, and I have seen people trying to ride bikes like that. It is scary. They are a danger in a group, cannot descend with any safety, or safely take a drink, or signal, and spend most of their time clinging on for dear life as every small movement could send them off the road or under the nearest vehicle.

Sorry but I agree with henryb on this. I'm 5'4". My road bike (50cm frame) stem was 60cm, I swapped it for 100cm as I need to stretch out a bit. Handlebars are 38cm, which feel a bit narrow when on the tops but it seems to behave the same as my previous bike (Giant SCR size XS with 42cm bars).

Daughter is <5ft, her 700c flat-bar bike has a very short stem and steering is not at all twitchy.

Too big a bike is a bad start. A steep head angle may make it worse. Things like rake/trail and rider weight distribution are going to make a difference. But being tense and gripping the bars tightly because you're scared won't help either. Do you really think that if you fit a longer stem those same riders will then descend or ride one-handed more confidently? I don't think so.

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rdmp2 replied to Simon E | 5 years ago
0 likes

Simon E wrote:

Sorry but I agree with henryb on this. I'm 5'4". My road bike (50cm frame) stem was 60cm, I swapped it for 100cm as I need to stretch out a bit. Handlebars are 38cm, which feel a bit narrow when on the tops but it seems to behave the same as my previous bike (Giant SCR size XS with 42cm bars).

Daughter is <5ft, her 700c flat-bar bike has a very short stem and steering is not at all twitchy.

Too big a bike is a bad start. A steep head angle may make it worse. Things like rake/trail and rider weight distribution are going to make a difference. But being tense and gripping the bars tightly because you're scared won't help either. Do you really think that if you fit a longer stem those same riders will then descend or ride one-handed more confidently? I don't think so.

 

Crikey- 100cm long stem on a 50cm frame. Must be like the old superman position.

Your daughter's hybrid may have a slack head angle so stem length may not be comparable to a road bike.

42cm bars sound wide for that small a frame. My 56cm bike has 42 cm bars.

Avatar
Simon E replied to rdmp2 | 5 years ago
0 likes

rdmp2 wrote:

Crikey- 100cm long stem on a 50cm frame. Must be like the old superman position.

Your daughter's hybrid may have a slack head angle so stem length may not be comparable to a road bike.

42cm bars sound wide for that small a frame. My 56cm bike has 42 cm bars.

With 100mm it's still fine. Top tube is relatively short for a 50cm frame (geometry is not overly 'compact'). I am now wondering whether to put the 60mm stem back on purely to see how it feels. I'll probably wobble, panic and fall off.

Daughter's bike has longer wheelbase and likely a slacker head angle. The upright position (long HT, riser stem) means that almost all her weight is over the rear wheel.

12 years ago no-one really made a fuss about narrow 'bars, IIRC most models were generally specced with 42cm regardless of frame size, handlebar width wasn't even listed in the tech spec. Probably the same with cranks. I wonder whether Giant tweaked this on the women's SCR models (which included a 650c XXS).

Avatar
Simon E replied to dottigirl | 5 years ago
1 like

dottigirl wrote:

Oh, FFS. Can we avoid suggesting shorter stems for small bikes please?

There's a lot more to bike geometry (and the feel of how it steers) than stem length. Shortening a stem, say from 90 or 100mm to 60mm, does not really affect the handling IME.

But I agree that "let's fit a shorter stem" should not be a stock method of making a bike fit the rider.

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henryb | 5 years ago
0 likes

Try the Genesis Col du Glandon (now discontinued):

https://www.freewheel.co.uk/genesis-2015-col-du-glandon-bike-silver-47cm-ex-display-gn60547p001

This was right for my wife (just over 5') - it just needed a better saddle and a shorter stem. It's a nice bike and this is a bargain price.

Col du Glandon geometry:

Frame size: 47cm - wheels/tyres: 650b

  • 1 - Horizontal Toptube Length (mm) 515
  • 2 - Seat Angle (°) 74
  • 3 - Headtube Length (mm) 130
  • 4 - Head Angle (°) 70.3
  • 5 - Seat Tube Length (C-T, mm) 440
  • 6 - BB Drop (mm) 50
  • 7 - Chainstay Length (mm) 440
  • 8 - Fork Offset (mm) 50
  • 9 - Trail (mm) 65.7
  • 10 - Wheelbase Length (mm) 1026
  • 11 - Standover (mm) 737
  • 12 - Stack (mm) 527
  • 13 - Reach (mm) 364
  • Stem (mm) 70
  • Handlebar (mm) 400
  • Crankarm (mm) 165
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Simon E | 5 years ago
0 likes

Islabikes new Icon range look terrific - https://www.islabikes.co.uk/icons/

The  Beinn 29 is designed as an adult bike but the standard Beinn flat-bar models (now including one with 27.5" wheels) are terrific for small adults as well as children. I was going to buy a Beinn 26 for my teenage daughter who's still less than 5ft, as she's always ridden Islabikes and I knew the weight and proportions would be ideal, but a club member had a Specialized Globe XS for sale in good condition so she's on that for now.

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Drinfinity | 5 years ago
1 like

These are nice

https://www.islabikes.co.uk/product/bikes/janis/

Also, Canyon do very small sizes. I’ve just got eldest daughter  a Spectral WMN in 2XS, and she is impressed with it.

 

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DoctorFish replied to Drinfinity | 5 years ago
0 likes

Drinfinity wrote:

These are nice

https://www.islabikes.co.uk/product/bikes/janis/

Also, Canyon do very small sizes. I’ve just got eldest daughter  a Spectral WMN in 2XS, and she is impressed with it.

 

The isla bike in that link is beautful.  However neither my wife or my daughter are keen enough cyclists to justify that price.  I would guess the budget is around £300 to £400.

 

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DoctorFish | 5 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  The Liv looks interesting, but XS is out of stock, but someone might have one, and the 2019 model isn't too badly priced either.

 

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BehindTheBikesheds replied to DoctorFish | 5 years ago
0 likes

DoctorFish wrote:

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  The Liv looks interesting, but XS is out of stock, but someone might have one, and the 2019 model isn't too badly priced either.

 

As that Liv is a step through/ladies specific I would think the small might be the right size, as I said it was an XS small male bike (so no step through just a lowish top tube) that my mum rode. If my old biddy could swing her leg over the TT at 68 I'm sure your girls would be easily able to manage on a small ladies. Remember ladies inside legs are fairly disproportionate to their heights compared to men, a 5ft women might easily have a 29" IL.

If you're interested I would look further at the measurements of the small. Here they are in inches (second column) taken from the US site as the Uk sites just give guidelines and not measurments.

 

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OldRidgeback | 5 years ago
1 like

We have a Sirrus in the family fleet, mostly used by my eldest. It was purchased almost new/secondhand from a neighbour for a very reasonable price (and no, it wasn't stolen property). 

Secondhand bikes are remarkably good value, as long as you can make sure they haven't been stolen. 

The reason the Sirrus is so popular is that it's a decen bike for the money. That said, my wife has a Pinnacle, which is ok too. 

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BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
1 like

I bought my mum an XS male Mongoose 200 a couple of years ago and she's 5ft on a good day, shame some bastard knicked it from outside the care home she was volunteering at! I think Merida pinched the model name and produce the Crossway Urban, they do a ladies specific model.

My missus rides a 2007 Spesh Globe Pro (as below), the best ladies hybrid ever made in my humble opinion, came with XT shifters/derailleurs, carbon bars/seatpost/carbon forks and seat-stays, Avid 7 brakes and 42mm tyres for extra comfort but not sluggish, she wouldn't swap it for anything! If you can find one of those late 00s globes (pro or elite) they are so light and can take a very wide tyre.

I bought my lady friend a Specialized Vita a few years ago, that was a good bike, I saw this today on fleabay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Source-Step-Through-Hybrid-Bike/1...

 if you don't mind buying from abroad then these are exceptional value even with the extra postage, dynamo hub and light included plus guards and rack https://www.bikester.co.uk/vermont-kinara-touring-bike-black-886152.html

From Rutland https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/giant-liv-alight-3-201...

trek FX used to be high spec but like elsewhere have downgraded components and prices have crept up.

Maybe this as an outside punt which for £350 is a hell of a lot of bike https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/George-Longstaff-531-Touring-Bicycle-17-5/283... Convert it to a flat bar and the wife should be happy as larry.

Good luck

 

Avatar
dottigirl replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
1 like

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

...My missus rides a 2007 Spesh Globe Pro (as below), the best ladies hybrid ever made in my humble opinion, came with XT shifters/derailleurs, carbon bars/seatpost/carbon forks and seat-stays, Avid 7 brakes and 42mm tyres for extra comfort but not sluggish, she wouldn't swap it for anything! If you can find one of those late 00s globes (pro or elite) they are so light and can take a very wide tyre....

I have one of the dark blue unlabelled Globe Vienna step-through hybrids from 2010, 2011 ish. Great bike. Nicknamed 'Beast', as it is. Used to overtake road bikes around Richmond Park.

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