which mountain bike (commuting) for short bloke

[captain calves]

Hi all,
I've had a Klein Pulse Comp aluminium for about ten or eleven years, 15 or 16 inch frame, thin-ish tyres.
It has served me very well.
It's time to get another now.
I'm about 5'4, 5'5.
I sometimes get the impression that some small frame bikes are slightly longer, ie the top bar is
longer, is this true?
I think my Klein has a slightly long top bar.
Does it really matter? Are there any smaller bikes out there that have a more proportional length?

Also my girlfriend is also looking for a bike, she too is about similar height.

Thanks

 

[captain calves]

No advice then, no?

 

[uclown2002]

This one looks pretty good

http://www.mountainbikebitz.com/201...s&utm_medium=BaseFeed1&utm_source=GoogleBase1

 

[vickster]

What's your budget, assuming it's not 6k ^^^?

Decathlon rock riders offer good value for money. Being vertically challenged you should stick to 26" wheels, and avoid the currently fashionable 29er, stick to a normal hardtail.

Paul's cycles have good deals on older models. Halfords boardman range are meant to be good too if wanting to run the gauntlet

Why do you want to commute on a mountain bike, do you cross mountains, or at least travel solely off road?

 

[captain calves]

Thanks all - i think my budget should be no more than 600 quid each.
Just need a normal bike thats easy to ride, mainly road but very occasionally park trails like in Richmond Park.
We live on the top of a hill, so gears is useful.
I tend to cycle to work one or two times a week (14 mile round trip)
Doesnt need to be mountain bike: general purpose will do.

Really, just looking for good simple bikes, reasonably priced, good quality, nothing special and good for short people.
And also wondering about this advice about "reach", ie length of top bar.
I suppose I was wondering if there was something notable for the "lesser statured"

Thanks

 

[Diggs]

+1 on the Decathlon suggestion and I would seriously consider rigid front forks to save weight and (semi) slick tyres (effectively a MTB based hybrid)

 

[captain calves]

ok, declathon it is, rigid forks, semi slicks - i use armadillos myself. Thanks everyone

 

[Pale Rider]

In terms of reach, you could get something with an adjustable stem which would let you bring the bars closer to the saddle.

This bike has one, and is also well equipped for commuting with a rack, guards and basic lights:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-7-hybrid-bike-black-id_8070411.html

You may also come across bikes with another type of adjustable stem known as a quill.

 

[captain calves]

Thanks very much! Looks v nice - I hope we can make our way to Surrey Quays this wknd.
My only question with the above is no Disc brakes.
But is it worth getting disc brakes? They certainly look great, but rubber blocks are just as good (except for rainy days i suppose)

OK thanks all

 

[Pale Rider]

Thanks very much! Looks v nice - I hope we can make our way to Surrey Quays this wknd.
My only question with the above is no Disc brakes.
But is it worth getting disc brakes? They certainly look great, but rubber blocks are just as good (except for rainy days i suppose)

OK thanks all

The Riverside 7 has hydraulic rim brakes, a bit unusual in the UK but still popular in Holland and Germany.

They are made by Magura - good make - and work fine.

As do decent disc brakes, or ordinary rim brakes.

In other words, I wouldn't let the brake type influence the decision too much if the rest of the bike suits.

 

[sight-pin]

In terms of reach, you could get something with an adjustable stem which would let you bring the bars closer to the saddle.

This bike has one, and is also well equipped for commuting with a rack, guards and basic lights:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-7-hybrid-bike-black-id_8070411.html

You may also come across bikes with another type of adjustable stem known as a quill.

Looks a nice bike, It'll last years i should think.

As already mentioned, Boardman at Halfords have some nice lookers as well if you want a couple of lighter weight bikes with disc brakes
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_992052_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...&cm_re=Pillar+Pages-_-content1-_-boardman2014

I quite like the 'CX Comp bike 2014' which would be handy if you want to do some off road with oh over the weekends etc.

 

[sight-pin]

This one looks pretty good

http://www.mountainbikebitz.com/201...s&utm_medium=BaseFeed1&utm_source=GoogleBase1

I'll take two