Little lady looking for a bike ... advice please

[Marocmole]

I am 5ft 2, with an inside leg of about 28/29 inches. I would like a suggestion of a bike that can be used off road trails, paths etc), and on the road.

can you please advice on size of bike, as I seem to be getting conflicting advice? I suffer occasionally from back pains (who doesn't at 45!) budget is £200-350, and I am considering doing it on the cycle to work scheme, which my employers support.

At present I've liking the "look" of CBR city sports ladies hybrid bike 21 sports trekking.

 

[s7ephanie]

I m 5ft 2 and i have a Riverside from Decathlon in medium (hybrid bike)

 

[Scoosh]

Marocmole and to CycleChat !

Your thread has been moved to the What Bike ? section, as more people will see it and give advice in here.

Sizing of a bike is can be a bit of a minefield and one of the best ways to get round it is to go to an assortment of cycle shops - preferably in the clothes you would plan to wear when riding - and sit on different sizes until you find the 'right' ones - deliberately plural, as one manufacturer's medium may be another's small or 48cm or whatever (a bit like clothes ! )

Once you have a short-list of what looks right, seems about the right size, 'feels' ok - then arrange for a test ride. Take as long as you need to test ride the bikes - 20-30 mins should be about right. Depending on your current riding, it might take you some time to get used to the feel of being on any bike , so the first one you try will feel strange/ wobbly/ weird etc - that is normal and you can always come back and try it again when you are more confident.

Once you have narrowed your choice a bit, come back and get the more detailed advice on which bike the esteemed members of CC reckon will be your best option - then beware - you will be a CC Cyclist ! ... and it's all uphill downhill from there !

 

[coffeejo]

@Marocmole

+1 to what @Scoosh said. Your LBS (local bike shop) will be able to help you find the right bike - just make sure you take the choices out for a test ride and once you've sorted out the paperwork and bought it, don't leave the shop without getting it fitted properly so that the saddle, handlebars etc are at the right height.

 

[Cubist]

Hi @Marocmole , and

I've had a quick look at that CBR and can see why it would appeal, but to be honest it's probably a pretty heavy bike and has pretty dated basic components.

If you're getting a bike on cycle to work schemes, you need to know what the scheme limits you to buy. Get hold of whoever administers it and find out where you can buy from.

As for sizing, well, you need to actually sit on a bike or two to get an idea of what fits. In MountainBiking terms you would be looking at a 14 or 15 inch frame, possibly a compact 16 in some makes. In road terms you're at the smaller end of adult bikes.

The use you describe means a compromise on components, and you need to be honest as to whether you will use it more on road or more on hard surface bike paths and Sustrans style routes , or again less well surfaced boggy and sloppy, rutted bridle ways.

You don't really need suspension unless you are thinking of those latter off road adventures, so I personally would steer you towards the urban hybrid style bike, with rigid forks and a lightweight frame.

Get along to a Halfords or Decathlon, as both sell bikes that will be well within budget, and browse the sort of bikes that appeal. I can guarantee that in build and component quality they will both sell better bikes than the CBR you have found. Ignore the naysayers with their Halfrauds Horror Stories, as long as you get the bike properly checked before you ride it it'll be a good quality beast for the money.

Have fun buying, and let us know how you get on.

 

[MikeW-71]

Halfords/Decathlon have this end of the market sorted, so as long as you know what's good, you'll get a good solid reliable bike for the money. At Halfords, look at the Carrera brand (avoid Apollo and Trax, they're a bit nasty) and Decathlons B'Twin range are equally good.

If you're going up bridleways and rougher ground then this is worth looking at (similar to the Riverside mentioned above):
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810697_langId_-1_categoryId_165534#tab2

If you're looking at smoother off-road paths like towpaths, then this takes some beating:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810697_langId_-1_categoryId_165534#tab2

Other makes will have something similar, pop out and sit on a few to see what feels right. Best of luck!

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Agree with comments above about the CBR, Apollo and Trax (although I would say CBR and Apollo possibly the better 2 of the bunch, occasionally Apollo can churn out a half decent model if it's kept basic. At that price point I would also avoid Viking which are prevelant online.

Suspension: Anything worthwhile costs your entire budget just for the suspension. On that basis, stay rigid. You will get better quality parts where it matters (headset, braking and drivetrain) rather than skimping on those to fit suspension in at a £300 price point.


I'd also look at the Giant Escape, or Specialized Crossroads e.g.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...-13?bct=browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes (more sizes available elsewhere I'm sure, just used EBC for an example)

You may want to use the "leftover" budget for mudguards, or cyclocross-type tyres if your tracks are going to be muddy

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi. I am 5' 3" with an inside leg measurement of 29". I bought my hybrid from halfords. It's a 16".

 

[shouldbeinbed]

much as said above, but also have a look at Edinburgh Bikes for the quality and good VFM arm of the budget market.

 

[Globalti]

Once you start cycling regularly that back pain will go away as the muscles get stronger.

 

[Justiffa]

to CC
I'm also 5'2" with inside leg measurement 29" and I use a BH roadie size 44, and an Polygon mtb size 14.5". Both are gender specific i.e. designed for females

 

[Cyclist33]

Marocmole and to CycleChat !

Your thread had been moved to the What Bike ? section, as more people will see it and give advice in here.

Sizing of a bike is can be a bit of a minefield and one of the best ways to get round it is to go to an assortment of cycle shops - preferably in the clothes you would plan to wear when riding - and sit on different sizes until you find the 'right' ones - deliberately plural, as one manufacturer's medium may be another's small or 48cm or whatever (a bit like clothes ! )

Once you have a short-list of what looks right, seems about the right size, 'feels' ok - then arrange for a test ride. Take as long as you need to test ride the bikes - 20-30 mins should be about right. Depending on your current riding, it might take you some time to get used to the feel of being on any bike , so the first one you try will feel strange/ wobbly/ weird etc - that is normal and you can always come back and try it again when you are more confident.

Once you have narrowed your choice a bit, come back and get the more detailed advice on which bike the esteemed members of CC reckon will be your best option - then beware - you will be a CC Cyclist ! ... and it's all uphill downhill from there !

noting that not all bike shops will let you have a test ride, and dont necessarily settle for one you did get to ride... my current bike is the one that came out on top above about half a dozen others. i tested all the others but only got to sit on the one i eventually bought. but i knew it was the right one straight away.

for what its worth my sister got one of these and its really good for the money...
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.liv.giant.escape.3.w.silver.purple/11869/56916/

 

[e-rider]

I am 5ft 2, with an inside leg of about 28/29 inches. I would like a suggestion of a bike that can be used off road trails, paths etc), and on the road.

can you please advice on size of bike, as I seem to be getting conflicting advice? I suffer occasionally from back pains (who doesn't at 45!) budget is £200-350, and I am considering doing it on the cycle to work scheme, which my employers support.

At present I've liking the "look" of CBR city sports ladies hybrid bike 21 sports trekking.

I would avoid the CBR brand. If you can increase your budget to £450- 500 you could buy a real bike!

 

[Widge]

While nothing can beat the sizing advice of an LBS............(you can actually SIT on the bikes!)..........I would agree that you are likely to be a small (smallest?) size in most manufacturers adult ranges. But sizing isn't written in stone from one brand to another. My inside leg isn't much longer than yours and I typically fit most medium sized frames-(18'' MTB and 54cm Road-bike size).

Decathlon have a good range of MTB/Hybrid models and their bikes represent good value for money at your budget level. My road bike is from Decathlon and is surprisingly nice given the wonga I laid down.

If you have any initial doubts - go to a good LBS , they may have just the thing and will certainly give you an idea about suitable sizing. If they have something suitable - then go for it! There are a lot of advantages to buying from them compared to the lottery of unseen/untried interwebz bikes (some of which can turn out to be rather gruesome!)...especially if it is your first foray.

HTH

w

 

[cosmicbike]

Hello and @Marocmole

My wife is 5ft, and we had fun finding her a hybrid. In the end Evans in Woking worked well, giving us a choice between a Trek something and a Norco Forma VFR3. She went with the Norco, and I have to say I'm really impressed with it. 700c wheels, Shimano rapid fire shifters, pretty good spec. She ended up with the smallest frame, a 13". It's light, and was inside your budget.