Bike as gift-need help

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2005-12-12 1:54 PM

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Queen BTich
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Subject: Bike as gift-need help

Ok, I want to get my mom a used road bike for Christmas, emphasize used (read: cheap). She is about my height, but I don't remember the sizes of bikes I tested. All I know is that I ride a Giant size Small. Right now she is riding at least a 10 year old Wally World mountain bike that weighs at least 25lbs and is rusted over. It hurt loading it in her truck! I don't know how she does it.

I've seen some used Cannondales and Trek's but don't know what size she would need. Any BTers around 5ft 5in? Throw out your height (if you're close) and what size you ride in your brand.

Oh, and if any of you come across some decent bikes or have any to sell, let me know. I'm scouring Craigslist, any other ideas? Thanks.

2005-12-12 2:06 PM
in reply to: #303882

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

I'll give you the usual spiel that I know you're familiar with:

  1. Two people of the same height may be significantly different proportions, and thus take significantly different sized bikes.
  2. Bikes of the same size made by different manufacturers may have significanltly different measurements as well.

Good luck in finding a Nootcycle!

2005-12-12 2:09 PM
in reply to: #303882

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2005-12-12 2:10 PM
in reply to: #303882

Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

No, we're built basically the same. Same height, same legs, same a**, ok nevermind TMI.

I'm just a hair taller than her, almost identical build. She should fit something that would fit me. For a couple hundred, I don't care, I'll resell it after this season, its just a bike to get her started.

Noot wants a bike! Oh, so does my g'maw (we're getting her a cruiser) but she won't be doing tri's.

2005-12-12 2:10 PM
in reply to: #303882

Master
2288
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Katy, TX (West of Houston)
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help
My wife is 5'5". she rides a 56 cm trek 2100. You really need to have her inseam. If this is a surprise for her, Wait until she is wearing a pair of pants that fit good (not too long, not to short), get the inseam and add about 2" to that #, that will give you a almost close figure for standover hieght. Have her stand over your bike, then mesure it for the standover hieght. If you have a bike with compact frame, I think the middle/front of tube is were to mesure.
Try www.roadbikereview.com
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=R...
for used bikes.
Good luck.

Edited by Freeswimmingfish 2005-12-12 2:11 PM
2005-12-12 2:14 PM
in reply to: #303908

Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

She is my height, we wear the same length pants. I am 99% sure I could find a bike, test it, and it would work for her.

Thanks!

Freeswimmingfish - 2005-12-12 3:10 PM My wife is 5'5". she rides a 56 cm trek 2100. You really need to have her inseam. If this is a surprise for her, Wait until she is wearing a pair of pants that fit good (not too long, not to short), get the inseam and add about 2" to that #, that will give you a almost close figure for standover hieght. .

2005-12-12 2:18 PM
in reply to: #303908

Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

Freeswimmingfish - 2005-12-12 2:10 PM My wife is 5'5". she rides a 56 cm trek 2100. You really need to have her inseam. If this is a surprise for her, Wait until she is wearing a pair of pants that fit good (not too long, not to short), get the inseam and add about 2" to that #, that will give you a almost close figure for standover hieght.

First, this is what I'm talking about. I'm 5'9" and ride a 54cm bike from three different manufacturers. Mrs. Fish is shorter and takes a bigger size.

Second, standover height is the most irrelevant of measures. Who spend significant time standing over their bike? To me, the cockpit length is most vital.



Edited by the bear 2005-12-12 2:19 PM
2005-12-12 2:20 PM
in reply to: #303882

Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

Ok seriously, we wear the same clothes (I'm just a little skinnier than her now), I can put on a pair of her pants and they fit me the same as her, our torso's are the same, etc. The differences are very minor.

Help me find a bike!

2005-12-12 2:23 PM
in reply to: #303882

Elite
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Venture Industries,
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help
What is cheap for you? Check out Ibexbikes.com, one of their new bikes might fit the mold of cheap. I have an 2004 Ibex full ultegra I picked up for $999. Right now they're having a year end sale with gauranteed Christams delivery. Classic 3300 full Sora for $399; Classic 4400 full Tiagra for $599. If this is in your price range, the benefits are a NEW bike with warranty rather than a used one without warranty.

I've got over 1200 miles on my bike, both road and trainer and love it! If been talking with one of the owners and trying to convince them to get in the tri bike market. If they did I'd consider it. I still think best bike for the money.
2005-12-12 2:24 PM
in reply to: #303916

Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help
TriComet - 2005-12-12 2:20 PM

Ok seriously, we wear the same clothes (I'm just a little skinnier than her now), I can put on a pair of her pants and they fit me the same as her, our torso's are the same, etc. The differences are very minor.

Help me find a bike!

Give her yours. You need a new one anyway.

DON'T YOU!

2005-12-12 2:30 PM
in reply to: #303920

Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

Holy crap bear don't tempt me. I've thought about this, but Big Red isn't even a year old...ssshhh....she might hear you!

If and when I buy a new bike, it will be a tri bike and I was going to keep Big Red anyway...I can't justify buying 2 bikes in a year when I want to move and go back to school...sigh...too tempting!

the bear - 2005-12-12 3:24 PM

Give her yours. You need a new one anyway.

DON'T YOU!

2005-12-12 3:06 PM
in reply to: #303913

Master
2288
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Katy, TX (West of Houston)
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help
the bear - 2005-12-12 1:18 PM

Freeswimmingfish - 2005-12-12 2:10 PM My wife is 5'5". she rides a 56 cm trek 2100. You really need to have her inseam. If this is a surprise for her, Wait until she is wearing a pair of pants that fit good (not too long, not to short), get the inseam and add about 2" to that #, that will give you a almost close figure for standover hieght.

First, this is what I'm talking about. I'm 5'9" and ride a 54cm bike from three different manufacturers. Mrs. Fish is shorter and takes a bigger size.

Second, standover height is the most irrelevant of measures. Who spend significant time standing over their bike? To me, the cockpit length is most vital.



Correct, standover is not the main thing to look for, but if you are buying a bike as a surprise, and cant get mesured, and it is "only a couple o'hundred bucks", then it is best that it is not too tall. If you are on your tippt toes with the top tube al the way up your a... well you know, then it aint no good. If it fits under you, then the seat post can be raised/lowered, stems can be replaced with longer/shorter lengths with nearly whatever angle you want. BUT IF IT DONT FIT UNDER YOU, IT WILL NOT BE RIDDEN!! This goes for too big or too small.
Since they are "about the same size", if it fits under Haley, then it should fit under Mom.
If this bike were to purchsed for someone to race to win or long centery rides, I would have suggested doing a full messure, something sneaky while she slept or to help with some stretches and have a peice of string or a fabric tape messure. Reach is more important than standover, but much harder to mesure without the person knowing.
BTW, when I bought my wife her bike for Christmas two years ago, I did it without her knowing, I made as many mesurments as i could while she slept (actual inseam, that one was fun, she almost woke up!, arm lenth, torso, shulder hieght ect...) I still bought the wrong size, luckily I have been shopping at the same bike shop since I was 10, so they let us return it and get the correct size, she upgaded too.
Good luck.
2005-12-12 3:42 PM
in reply to: #303882

Expert
736
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Longview, TX
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help
I'm 5'4" and ride a 50 cm trek.  Now, I'm set up more for triathlon than roadie with the aerobars and all, if I was going roadie I would probably ride a 52 cm.  Lemond is made by Trek, but there sizing runs in odd numbers.  I rode a 49 cm in Lemonds, but same thing as before, would probably be a 51 under roadie conditions.  In fact, I did borrow a 51 cm Lemond for awhile when I was without bike and it worked great.
2005-12-12 3:44 PM
in reply to: #303931

Champion
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Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help
TriComet - 2005-12-12 2:30 PM

Holy crap bear don't tempt me. I've thought about this, but Big Red isn't even a year old...ssshhh....she might hear you!

If and when I buy a new bike, it will be a tri bike and I was going to keep Big Red anyway...I can't justify buying 2 bikes in a year when I want to move and go back to school...sigh...too tempting!

the bear - 2005-12-12 3:24 PM

Give her yours. You need a new one anyway.

DON'T YOU!



Yea, and if you only spend a couple hundred more on the new bike, than what your old one was, that is still the price range you wanted, RIGHT???

Nudge, nudge...
2005-12-12 3:54 PM
in reply to: #304023

Queen BTich
12411
500050002000100100100100
,
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

No, that math doesn't work out. I want to spend less than $500 for my mom (my bro and I will go in together)...the tri bike will cost way more than that. Not happening.

McFuzz - 2005-12-12 4:44 PM  Yea, and if you only spend a couple hundred more on the new bike, than what your old one was, that is still the price range you wanted, RIGHT??? Nudge, nudge...

2005-12-12 4:01 PM
in reply to: #303882

Pro
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Reston
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help
you try craigslist?

2005-12-12 4:35 PM
in reply to: #304044

Queen BTich
12411
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,
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

Yes, I'm keeping an eye out for bikes in TX, LA, AL, and GA. Places I can drive that aren't out of my way (My bro can pick up one in TX if thats where I find one). I'm finding stuff but they're not the right size. Needle in a haystack.

3558 - 2005-12-12 5:01 PM you try craigslist?



Edited by TriComet 2005-12-12 4:37 PM
2005-12-13 12:32 PM
in reply to: #303882

Veteran
321
100100100
Findlay OH
Subject: RE: Bike as gift-need help

I ride a 51 cm Motobecane that I bought on ebay for about $400 brand new.   I have shortish legs and a longish torso.  There are a few good bike fit web sites for general measurements that might work.  I can't remember any right now of course.  If the 2 of you are about the same build measure yourself for the site and see what it says.  It would at least give you a general idea of what might work. 

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