Correct frame for a small person

highway star
highway star Posts: 1,158
edited January 2008 in Workshop
My brother had his bike stolen (a Trek 7.5 hybrid style) before chistmas and now has the money to buy a new bike. However he is rather short 5.2" with an inside leg of 74cm. Now when he was sold the the original bike it was a 17". He tried it out at the time and said it was okay to ride. However he was not given a 15" frame to try and my worry is that he was sold the 17" frame because they had one ready to sell.

To my eye the bike has always looked a bit large for him. frame size makes a massive difference. I used to own a road bike which was too large for me. It felt fine at the time but I never went very fast. When I bought a new bike (old steel dawe giro) which was the correct size I thought at first it was too small as I no longer over reaching. But the difference is amazing. So I want to get this right for him.
I know I ain\'t doin\' much........ doin\' nothing means a lot to me

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Trouble is manufacturers use so many different ways of measuring the frame it's often difficult to get a meaningful comparison. Reach is the critical dimension - can he ride the frame whilst keeping a natural bend in the elbows i.e. not locked? - this can cause strain on the shoulders and neck. Standover can be important - particularly if venturing off road - can he put his feet flat on the floor without 'grounding' himself on the crossbar - sudden stops / dismounts can be very painful otherwise. Likewise, if too small, do the knees hit the bars when pedalling out the saddle? There are quite a few online bike fit calculators so worth trying to punch the numbers in to see what they say. Alternatively, get a 'bike fit' done at a shop and then use the dimensions provided to select the right size - it costs about £25 but is usually refunded on any purchase. Any cost can easily be saved by not having to buy replacements bars and stems rather than just having to take the stock parts.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    I (and seemingly most of my friends) consider me short. I've got a short neck and wide shoulders, so I generally find a larger frame and wider bars more comfortable than the size of bike that generally accepted for my height.

    I don't think there's a substitute for trying the bike.
    I like bikes...

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  • highway star
    highway star Posts: 1,158
    Thanks for the comments. I will ask the shop to order in a 15" and a 17" to see which suits best. :D
    I know I ain\'t doin\' much........ doin\' nothing means a lot to me
  • highway star
    highway star Posts: 1,158
    Oh yeah, we were told that the shop could not get hold of a Trek bike until Feb/march due to problems at trek's end. Anybody know any more?
    I know I ain\'t doin\' much........ doin\' nothing means a lot to me
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Giant make some nice bikes in the same price bracket, and you could try Focus too.

    I echo Monty's comments about different manufacturers having different methods of measuring their frames. I personally would get measured up properly and go from there.