Short Lady Requires Advice re First Road Bike: update

[Reynard]

I'm hoping that you knowledgeable folks can help me out. Am looking for a bike that I can ride to improve my fitness and shed a few stubborn wobbly bits. My very ancient Leopard 10 mountain bike isn't really fit for purpose anymore and as a result I haven't ridden it in a while. If I want to be perfectly honest it is too big and too heavy for me and I don't ride off road, which is why I'm thinking of finally ditching it and getting road bike.

I'm just looking to get out and ride, get some exercise and then push myself a little further once I've got back into the groove of cycling. I live quite rural, so have plenty of country lanes to ride around.

My problem is that I'm short. 4' 11" in fact with 27" inside leg. I also have a very limited budget of around £350. There is a little bit of stretch in that, but please bear in mind that I will also need a new helmet and a few other sundries.

Would it be a preposterous idea to look at junior bikes given both my height and budget?

I've only just started looking, but two bikes have caught my eye - the Wiggins Rouen Junior 650c (http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/kids-bikes/wiggins-rouen-junior-road-bike-650c) and the Boardman Junior Road (http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/end-of-line-bikes/boardman-junior-road-sport-e-bike).

I'd be grateful for advice that can point me in the right direction.

 

[13 rider]

I think you will have to visit a few shops to sit on the bikes and try for size . The 2 you've listed might be a tad small . Halfords ladies carreas come in frame size 43 cm which according to there sizing guide would suit you . If you visit halfords look at the 13 Lambda which is on offer at 399 but only goes down to 45 cm frame size .
Edit just checked the sizing of the Wiggins and that would be about the right size

 

[NorthernDave]

The important thing is that the bike fits and you're comfortable on that. If thats a "junior" bike then what's in a name?

If you're looking at Halfords and want a female specific bike, this is well under your budget, gets good reviews and is available in a 43cm frame (so should be a good fit): http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/pendleton-initial-road-bike

And this one is under £200 on the current promotion and also available in a 43cm frame: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-tdf-womens-ltd-road-bike

If you're wanting extras like a helmet, it pays to shop around as Halfords can be comparatively expensive for some accessories. Also consider taking out British Cycling membership - it costs £35 a year but you get loads of benefits including third party insurance cover and 10% off everything at Halfords.

 

[Spiderweb]

This looks pretty good at under £280. Using the size guide the 44cm should be ok. It's worth looking at the hybrid/city bike section at wiggle as they look to have a few to choose from.
Here's the link for the bike mentioned;
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-qx65-womens-2016/

I forgot to ask, are you looking for a flat bar hybrid type bike or a drop handlebar road bike?

Edit* oops I've just clicked on your link and it's quite clear you are wanting a drop handlebar road bike.

 

[Spiderweb]

If it's a drop bar road bike you are wanting then the Triban 3 for the money is a cracking bike, very well regarded on this forum. The 45cm frame is now half price at £150!!
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-id_8274036.html

 

[steveindenmark]

Btwin bikes have a cult following.

 

[I like Skol]

Where about are you Reynard? I was also going to suggest the £150 Triban as my son has one and it is brilliant. If you are nearby and want to try it for size let me know.

 

[Reynard]

Ooh, you've given me a few more options to think about - thanks :-)

I'm in north-east Cambridgeshire and somewhat out in the boonies which may well limit what's available. But we'll see...

 

[biggs682]

why not try a good old ladies mixte framed bike loads to be had 2nd hand and very classy indeed

infact there is one lurking in our garage you could try but you will have to wait a week

its off to Nottingham soon to be used as a uni bike

 

[youngoldbloke]

Beware of thinking, eg. '44 - that's the size for me'. You really need to know what is being measured. However I suspect that 45 cm Triban with 650 wheels would be a good fit, but you really need to try before you buy. Worth making the trip to get the right bike.

 

[outlash]

From memory, doesn't Emma Pooley who's on the shorter side ocasionally race on bikes with 650 size wheels? I believe here Olympic TT bike was...

 

[Fab Foodie]

From memory, doesn't Emma Pooley who's on the shorter side ocasionally race on bikes with 650 size wheels? I believe here Olympic TT bike was...

IIRC it's allowed in TT and Triathlon but not in road racing.

 

[Fab Foodie]

@Reynard i strongly suggest the small Triban and if you can get one for £150 do!
I was gonna suggest I have a second hand one in Oxfordshire but new price is a steal. Can't go wrong.

 

[theclaud]

I was just about to ping Wanda and TMN. There are plenty of smallish, small and smalltastic women hereabouts who know a thing or fifty about bike fit!

 

[I like Skol]

@Reynard i strongly suggest the small Triban and if you can get one for £150 do!
I was gonna suggest I have a second hand one in Oxfordshire but new price is a steal. Can't go wrong.

Just a point about this bike. It spent a few years as the cycling press best value for money entry level road bike when it first hit the scene and a lot of the rhetoric suggested it was every bit as good as many £500-600 bikes from the better known manufacturers. This was when it was selling at £299.99. At only £150 now it really is a no brainer, I don't need one and even I am tempted.....