bike fit

[MrTB]

hav a women friend whos expiriencing some troubles finding a bike. shes new to mountain biking and looking for something under $1000. i know there r some companies out there who make bikes specific for women,Gary Fischers the only one i know off the top of my head. would be thankful for any advice, tips, options, etc.. shes 5'-3".......size 6

[Browne]

Trek makes WSD (women specific design) bikes
www.trekbike.com

Fisher makes some too
www.fisherbikes.com

Specialized has a women's Rockhopper
www.specialized.com

Giant makes a women's specific Boulder
www.giant-bicycles.com

Cannondale makes a hardtail F400 and a full-sus Jekyl
www.cannondale.com

Those are the major 4 (er, 5...)

Of course, it's sort of silly that anyone offers women-specific items. It's all about sizing, and some women don't fit women-specific items. Some men would fit better on women's bikes!

I'd highly suggest taking her to a professional to have her fiited and sized for the best possible fit.

[polly]

LOL @Browne... you mean Jeff eh? I'm 5ft 2" and when he came to the uk i wanted to dress him in my kit and send him down the slab at dalbeattie on my juliana, so I could take pics and kid my friends I was brave... (he would have needed to shave his legs first though) ;)


At 5ft 3" you friend has a better chance of finding a decent fit on a wsd - though kona's come up nice and small...

[Browne]

Polly- Now that's something I would have paid to see!

[polly]

I think it could have worked, after all we both have the same excellent dress sense...

:D
very stylish... (http://www.doubleard.co.uk/gallery/Dalbeattie/Deano_Jeff_Pol_Col.html)

Does he still wear the hat? ;)

[Browne]

Now that's something I haven't seen!

[polly]

ah... what a great weekend that was... can't believe it's nearly a year ago now...

[MrTB]

Thanks for the info, it was quite helpful. Although I did neglect to mention that my friends husband took her to a bike shop on valentines day w/the intention of getting her a new bike (WHAT A GUY!) they came home empty handed. Shop carries Giant and told her she needed a 17" for her legs and a 14" frame size for her upper body. Trek seems to have alot more size options.

[polly]

sounds like the bike shop didnt know what they were doing!

I'm 5-2 My inside leg measures 30" but standard frames just aren't right... when i had a 16" stumpy fsr, the bike felt very unstable (no jokes about the rider... ;) ) and it was because my centre of gravity was all wrong, the bike was infact 2 sizes too big - but i had bought it from my friend who has the same size legs as me... though she is 5-8.

Go WSD, buy a second hand superlight, medium - she'll be fine...:D