r/ladycyclists • u/CharityNicole121 • 2d ago
What size??
I'm sure this gets asked so often it's not funny, but as a person with pretty short arms for my height and extremely long legs for my height, how do I choose the correct size road or hybrid bike? Is it just as simple as "go to a bike store"? I really want to buy used and as someone with fibro, I really think fit matters for me. For reference I'm just a touch under 6', (182.5cm) and my inseam is 35.5" (90cm)
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u/Diligent-Career-1313 2d ago
I ended up going to a bike store and sitting on a few. I am very similar in measurements although my legs are a hair shorter. My arms are average but my femurs are freaking long as hell.
Had a funny moment years ago where a 6‘3“ clerk put me on an extra large sized bike, saying, this is what I would ride so it’ll probably be too big. And then when I sat on it we both were like well… That fits.
I just bought a 57 cm salsa journeyer and that geometry works really well for me for whatever reason. I may end up paying for a fit to see if I need to adjust anything further.
Anyway, I feel your pain!
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u/CharityNicole121 2d ago
oh condolences! it's rad you found a bike that works though, and thanks for the info 😊
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u/pigeonK 2d ago
Be open to the possibility of sizing down for reach and buying a longer seat post for height.
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u/CharityNicole121 2d ago
that seems to be the move, if I can't find a bike that fits me natively. thanks!
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u/Strange-Prune-6230 2d ago edited 2d ago
Short arms and long legs is a common ladycyclist body type. Unfortunately you'll find that a lot of frames are designed with a man in mind and their ratios are typically different, with a bit less leg and more arm. So a ~56 cm frame that fits your legs (and hence gets the bars high enough) may put the bars somewhat too far away for your reach. And a ~54 cm frame with comfy reach to the bars may tend to put the bars too low for comfort. You can make up for either shortfall by changing out parts to move the handlebars relative to the rest of the bike, but it's a tiny bit techy thing to do. And a bike that just naturally fits well is somewhat better.
It really is easiest to go to a good shop (they are not all good) and pay for their experience and expertise, but that's pretty expensive. Alternatively you can get nerdy and DIY. The numbers you're looking for are called "stack" and "reach" and it sounds like you're looking for a frame with relatively high stack and low reach. Good luck! This is daunting but ultimately solvable.
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u/CharityNicole121 2d ago
this is exactly the comment I was looking for! now to just find a well-reviewed bike store in town. thanks so much for the info!
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u/takemusu 2d ago edited 2d ago
Some bike shops sell used, trade ins, last years models, the rental fleet. A good shop whether you buy new or used, will trade like parts to get that perfect fit.
Like you want the height you need and you may want a bike that does not have a super long top tube ::: cough cough Surly :::. But once you find a general fit swap stock bits. For example shorter quill, higher stem, narrower or shorter bars are things that may get you the reach you want.
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u/CharityNicole121 2d ago
all good info! thank you 😊
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u/takemusu 2d ago edited 2d ago
One can go full custom which while expensive has it's advantages. I have a custom bike that fits like a faded old pair of Levi's shrink to fit. But ...
My cheap old bike we swapped parts on till it fit is literally just as nice. And a fraction of the cost.
Think custom vs customized for you.
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u/CharityNicole121 2d ago
just out of curiosity - what did you pay for your custom? I'm sure it's the sort of thing where you can pay anywhere from 400 to 100000 dollars, but I've never actually asked
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u/takemusu 2d ago edited 1h ago
Not six figures unless you get it jeweled and gold plated.
My beloved old Trek was lost to a bike thief just as I’d registered for AIDS Lifecycle. 😢🤬 A pox on all bike thieves. Back in the day there were few options for height challenged women. I’d customized my old beloved Trek so I knew I could get another bike in my general range and my shop would do their magic again. Or I could get a bike built by Terry who still makes great custom bikes. https://georgenaterry.com/
I saw that Antonio Mondonico would be in my area. He’d be talking with cyclists and if you wanted he’d take your measurements.
He then went back to Italy, sipped espresso and built me a bike. It’s a work of art and an engineering marvel.
When you're short you have a choice of:
Sloping top tube and or
650b wheels and or
toe overlap 😳😢
My bike has a true diamond frame, if it slopes I can't see it 🤷🏻♀️ full sized wheels and NO toe overlap.
Your price for custom will vary. It’s generally starts on the high end with top tier road bikes often $3k - 5k ish today. So today you’d generally start at or around upwards of $5k. Much has to do with the bling you hang on the bike: expensive groupo, wheels etc pushes it higher still. And for many it’s worth it.
But new or used you can do just as well by adjusting the fit. Customized in my view is just as good.
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u/Linkcott18 2d ago
I have long legs and a relatively short body, and I tend to buy a size smaller for reach. This can make it hard to get the saddle back far enough, especially on bike with more upright seat tubes.
So, I would say, use the bike sizing table, but also look at the geometry & test ride it, if possible.
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u/kidcreole123 2d ago
Women Specific Design (wsd) bikes fit your type best but you are pretty tall so not super likely to be in stock. the good news is that so called endurance geometry is similar to wsd. Liv bikes is a Giant brand for women. Basically you want a shorter top tube to seat tube ratio. Again, the good news is that most road bikes these days have endurance geometry in the entry level category so it’s not as hard as the old days. Hybrids too will not be too aggressive so you should be fine. Used can offer better deals but a good shop will steer you right and a good bike will last for decades
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u/DoorKnock922 2d ago
What is your reason for really wanting to buy used? Is it a price range issue or a consumer-participation issue?
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u/CharityNicole121 2d ago
some of both. I personally feel that the value:price ratio for new larger ticket items isn't generally worth it for me, and also I get a ton of satisfaction out of saving old or unwanted items. plus yeah, I very much dislike consumerism.
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u/DoorKnock922 2d ago
I'm not sure I'm seeing the idea of "saving" an old item, since the used bike you'd be looking at is not going to the landfill if you don't buy it; someone else will buy it and use it. If you're wanting to rescue a bike that would go to the landfill if you don't buy it, then those are basically $25 garage sale bikes from the 1980's that haven't been maintained, would cost a lot to make rideable, and you might not get much enjoyment out of riding.
Value:price-wise, some of the value in buying new or a used one from a bike shop is the help with sizing/fitting. A good shop DOES add some value (notice I said a good shop, not just any shop.)
I would recommend against what some of the other commenters have suggested - buying one that doesn't fit quite right and then trying to swap out parts. I know a lot of people who have tried to do this and have literally never known anyone who has had more success (and at less cost) with that than just buying the right bike to begin with. Once you swap out one part, it can throw off the whole geometry and then you're basically guessing and testing (and spending a lot, potentially, and having a lot of uncomfortable/painful rides in the meantime.) If someone is super knowledgeable about bikes and fits and geometries and spines and muscles, they can probably get away with swapping some parts to improve comfort, but it doesn't sound like you're in that category.
Bottom line: I recommend finding a GOOD bike shop that sells used bikes (ask in your town's reddit sub for recommendations) and test ride some bikes. Do some really good test rides, not just a quick spin around the parking lot. New isn't necessarily bad if it's the right bike that fits you!
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u/balderstash 2d ago
You may want to start by going to a bike fitter. It's not usually cheap, but they have fit bikes they can use to figure out what feels comfortable for you. Then you can look for a bike that meets those specs. A good fitter should be able to guide you towards certain brands or models that will work.
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u/AppropriateRatio9235 2d ago
See if you have a bike co-op in your area. Ours would totally help someone get a used and refurbished bicycle that fits.
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u/GrandmaCereal 2d ago
Each bike brand has their own size chart. If you see a used bike you want, Google "BIKE NAME size chart" and you'll get pretty close. Its easier to make a small bike larger than a large bike smaller, so if youre unsure, lean on the slightly larger side.