"Richard Burton" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> There's a rather tasty young lady in my office who is threatening to take
up
> cycling, and being foolish and male, and rather obviously a cyclist, I
have
> offered to help her sort a reasonable bike.
>
> Unfortunately, although perfectly formed, she is rather vertically challenged, and is 4'11" and
> thus needs something like a 17 1/2" frame, which seem to be rather thin on the ground. If anyone
> has a reasonable hybrid/tourer of said frame size, I will consider anything.
Probably cheapest option is to find a small framed mountain bike (though beware that some will have
short height, but long length and won't therefore fit well). Replace off-road tyres with smooth road
versions, fit mudguards, etc. and will work. Some people like the straight-across handlebars of
MTB's, others might prefer them replaced with swept back styles which alters the position of hands
and pressure on shoulders (think classic old upright large wheeled bike, or Dutch bikes). Consider
swapping the cranks for shorter ones, around 160mm rather than typical 170-175mm of most mountain
bikes (Spa Cycles in Harrogate had shorter crank sets for around £30-odd with a triple chain ring
when I last enquired).
There are a few specifically designed for women small MTB style bikes from Edinburgh cycle coop at
quite low prices.
Orbit make a small bike, the Mercury. My partner has had one for several years - decent machine for
the money. As well as small frame, it has shorter cranks for the pedals (suits shorter legs), fairly
low bottom bracket height (shorter cranks mean it can be lower) and carefully selected other parts.
Very good wheels on our example. There are a few things where I think they've got it wrong, and I'm
slowly replacing those bits, but overall satisfied. I think they are circa £500 these days.
More money gets up to custom built frames, though probably not the best thing for a first cycle.
Other option would be to find an old small wheeled "shopper" style bike; not the fastest or best
around by a long way, but at least get the basics of balance sorted.
Pete Clinch has already suggested a folding machine; a friend who is 6ft4 has a Brompton which his 6
year old daughter can also ride.
NC