What bike size for my wife?

gabriel959

Hi all,

We are looking to get my wife a nice and new bike but I am a bit puzzled with the sizes. She is 5 foot 5 (30-32" inside leg) and I would have thought she is a 17" but I am not sure. She wants a town bike, no racing or even hybrid for her!

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks,
Gabriel

always_tyred

I'm a roadie. I do not comprehend these "inches". I assume you are looking at a mtb.

I'm 5'10" and I ride a 17" Giant mtb (very rarely). I also don't quite have a 32" inseam and I'm not terribly baboon shaped.

Mtb's have a long seatpost anyway, so better to go a little small so that the rider isn't too stretched out.

Sorry to tell you, but better to go and try some. I found the different brands' sizing was variable. First guess a 13" or 15", but you'll only know if you try one either size of your best guess.

gabriel959

That is what we did, she tried some 15", 16" and 19" but in neither she said she was completely comfortable although I reckon that is more to do with the fact that she wasn't completely upright. She is after a town bike or dutch bike.

lost_in_thought

Well then go try some town/dutch bikes!

Failing that, check out the 'cruisers' section on chainreactioncycles.

I love those bikes I do.

plowmar

Recently bought a Specialised sirus sport for my wife, but being 5' 10" the male option fitted her better than the female one.

Still wasn't as upright as she wanted, so the shop fitted free a 'V' shaped bar to replace the flat bar and the fit is now just as wanted. So this may be the way that you will need to go.

( free, is used as no additional cost was involved)

supersonic

gabriel959 wrote:

That is what we did, she tried some 15", 16" and 19" but in neither she said she was completely comfortable although I reckon that is more to do with the fact that she wasn't completely upright. She is after a town bike or dutch bike.

They vary brand to brand, model to model - this is just one measurement out of many. This is why you can't say you are e certain size and the next model maybe completely different.

So try some out, and go on what feels best. Ignore the numbers and sizes.

gabriel959

sorry for the lasses here but why women have to be so difficult...

in my case its always the largest size!

I'll go and try some more.

lost_in_thought

gabriel959 wrote:

sorry for the lasses here but why women have to be so difficult...

in my case its always the largest size!

I'll go and try some more.

No, no, no, that won't work. You need to get her to try them.

Sailorchick

I'm 5'6'' and my Carrera Subway is an 18'' frame

gabriel959

lost_in_thought wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

sorry for the lasses here but why women have to be so difficult...

in my case its always the largest size!

I'll go and try some more.

No, no, no, that won't work. You need to get her to try them.

semantics!!! you know what I meant! :twisted: although thinking about it I could do with another bike!

Cafewanda

gabriel959 wrote:

sorry for the lasses here but why women have to be so difficult...

in my case its always the largest size!

I'll go and try some more.

Count your stars she's not 4'11

Twojumpers

My wife is 5'5" too and recently bought a 52cm Kona Dew which she loves. It's a hybrid (but not a sports hybrid) and the riding position can be adjusted easily as there are lots of spacers on the head tube. It's best to get her to try as many bikes you can get her on.