I'm trying to build my girlfriend a modern road bike, she's quite tiny and there is no way she'd be comfortable on a small 700c bike without compromising toe overlap, top tube length, headtube angle, or rake. Internet searching for 650c frames points me to Specialized, Trek, and Felt, but the only one that still seems to make 650c frames is Felt, and even they only make them for Tri. Am I doomed to go with a custom or does anyone still make 43cm or smaller frames with sub 490mm top tubes? I'm having a tough time sourcing other stuff too, like modern sub 165mm road cranks and 36cm handlebars...
Women's 650c frames... no more?
DrSmile
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Joined
·
5,238 Posts
I'm trying to build my girlfriend a modern road bike, she's quite tiny and there is no way she'd be comfortable on a small 700c bike without compromising toe overlap, top tube length, headtube angle, or rake. Internet searching for 650c frames points me to Specialized, Trek, and Felt, but the only one that still seems to make 650c frames is Felt, and even they only make them for Tri. Am I doomed to go with a custom or does anyone still make 43cm or smaller frames with sub 490mm top tubes? I'm having a tough time sourcing other stuff too, like modern sub 165mm road cranks and 36cm handlebars...
Joined
·
7,518 Posts
I used to have a GF who was also very petite. This was in the early '90's. We found a "ladies proportional" road bike which was the only thing she could fit on.
Proportional Road Bikes - 700c/24" ala Terry collection on eBay!
Proportional Road Bikes - 700c/24" ala Terry collection on eBay!
Joined
·
696 Posts
My wife is very petite also and we gave up on finding an OTS bike that fit her well. Ended going custom, and after completing her measurements, the builder ended up building a frame that rides on 26" wheels. Her current ride is equipped with mini-V brakes that can be adjusted to accommodate a 650c wheelset, but the bike fits and rides so well with 26" wheels, that there is no need.
Gunnar's Roadie comes ins a 650c version.
Joined
·
2,908 Posts
I feel your pain. I bought my wife a Terry Tailwind in 42, which she loves. We got a super deal on it but it may not be available anymore.
It's very small but so well proportioned that people don't realize it at first, unlike a little bike with 700c wheels. It gets a lot of double takes.
It's very small but so well proportioned that people don't realize it at first, unlike a little bike with 700c wheels. It gets a lot of double takes.
Joined
·
2,908 Posts
Unfortunately most of those Fuji's are fitted with very low end components. They're meant to be kid's bikes.
[HR][/HR]How petite is your gf?
My wife is a touch under 5 feet tall, and she can stand over quite a few XS or XXS frames with 700c wheels without issue. Her current bike is a 2012 XXS Scott Contessa Speedster which came with 165mm Tiagra cranks and really narrow drop handlebars (I never measured them). No toe overlap issues. Even when I get on there with my man-size feet and regular running shoes, I've never rubbed my foot on the front wheel.
I recently saw a a hot looking women's Fuji Supreme sitting at a Performance Bike with 700c wheels that was even smaller than my wife's bike, probably on the order of a 43 or 44 cm bike - that one had 105 components on it. So unless your gf is REALLY petite (like under 4'9" or 4'10" or so), I think there are frames out there built for 700c wheels that will work out ok.
My wife is a touch under 5 feet tall, and she can stand over quite a few XS or XXS frames with 700c wheels without issue. Her current bike is a 2012 XXS Scott Contessa Speedster which came with 165mm Tiagra cranks and really narrow drop handlebars (I never measured them). No toe overlap issues. Even when I get on there with my man-size feet and regular running shoes, I've never rubbed my foot on the front wheel.
I recently saw a a hot looking women's Fuji Supreme sitting at a Performance Bike with 700c wheels that was even smaller than my wife's bike, probably on the order of a 43 or 44 cm bike - that one had 105 components on it. So unless your gf is REALLY petite (like under 4'9" or 4'10" or so), I think there are frames out there built for 700c wheels that will work out ok.
Joined
·
7,168 Posts
Women's Bicycles, Bikes made for Women, Semi-Custom Bicycles for Women | Terry Bicycles
Terry have lead the way with ladies sized bikes and Georgina is well worth talking to. Made in USA is also something to consider.
Terry have lead the way with ladies sized bikes and Georgina is well worth talking to. Made in USA is also something to consider.
Of course one option would be to get a Fuji Ace 650 for as cheap as possible.
Keep the rims & frame, and any other parts you like. Rebuild everything else to your specs.
I'm seeing the Ace for $309
Have you browsed the Terry Website?
No doubt there are still some of the Trek WSD 650 (and other) bikes on the used market.
Bike Friday claims to have equivalent performance with their bikes to some of the road bikes, with a few sub-20 lb bikes. They are supposed to be semi-custom, and you should be able to order one to your specs. Anyway, it would be a unique choice.
Joined
·
2,074 Posts
Fuji has the Ace 650 and Ace 24 for kids bikes. The Sportif and Finest are meant as adult bikes. But you are correct that the only models of the Finest and Sportif that are 650 feature entry level components (Claris). Not sure why not in higher spec; the Sportif is offered in at least one higher spec with same frame.
Joined
·
696 Posts
While it's good that your wife has a bike with 700c wheels that fits (I think), I would caution that stand over height is not the end all/be all measurement. Not everyone is of the same fitness/physique, and race geometry is not for everyone. Don't neglect the importance of cockpit fit; the OP's girlfriend may want a more upright riding position.
Joined
·
7,168 Posts
What about a bike for women who aren't looking so hot....?
Joined
·
5,238 Posts
Thanks for all the responses. Some interesting avenues to investigate, but I really am looking to build her a higher end bike myself, so I'm looking at framesets only, ideally at least with a carbon fork, even better would be Ti. I'm not really looking at ebay/Chinese stuff, and buying a complete bike to strip just so I wind up with a frame with a crappy fork doesn't seem wise. The more I think about it I will likely bring her to a place to get sized, and then build a custom Ti 650c frame. For $1500 it seems like the most prudent way to go.
Joined
·
2,908 Posts
When I was looking for my wife's bike a local shop had a 40cm cannonade carbon fiber 650c bike on sale. The shop owner had built it up for his son with Dura Ace 7800 components throughout, but the boy didn't ride it. He was letting it go for $1800. At the time my wife was barely a beginner and we considered that way out of reach. I'd kill for another deal like that one. A few little tweaks and it would have fit her to perfection.
You're in luck - I think I saw a Fuji Sasquatch in the back.
Way in the back.
Behind the clearance rack of 5XL spandex shorts, and full face masks.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
