Man on ladies bike

anthony.d
anthony.d Posts: 20
edited February 2016 in Road buying advice
Hello All,
Ive never had a road bike before, just mountain bikes.
Ive seen a used Trek lexa ladies bike 54cm for sale. I'm 5'8. Do you think I'd be OK on it. Specialised Allez,s and Scott's, and Giants 54cm feel too stretched for me. And this bike is a good price! What do you think?
Thanks

Comments

  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,222
    The effective top tube (E.T.T.) length is 54.2cm on the 54 Lexa, though may have a shorter stem fitted. If a 54cm bike feels to stretched, have you tried any in 52cm/Small frame size?
  • iron-clover
    iron-clover Posts: 737
    I'm also 5' 8" and I straddle the line between 54cm frames and whatever size is the next one down (normally 50-52cm). I would definitely 'try before you buy' in this case- you can always put a longer stem on a smaller frame to a certain extent (like I ended up doing) but if you get a frame that is too big then you're snookered.

    Good luck!
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    Some manufacturers are reluctant to bring in big units of smaller sized mens frames. Buy from the continent where they have no such restrictions and the bike costs less even with insured shipping. I was after a 47cm Merida Reacto but could not get one anywhere in the UK. Everyone kept trying to push me on to a 50cm which I knew would be too much of a stretch and look pants when set up correctly. A dealer in France and one in Italy were able to get me a bike in whichever colour scheme I wanted. France got the deal and saved me £250 on the UK price including bank transfer and delivery costs.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    iron-clover wrote:
    I'm also 5' 8" and I straddle the line between 54cm frames and whatever size is the next one down (normally 50-52cm). I would definitely 'try before you buy' in this case- you can always put a longer stem on a smaller frame to a certain extent (like I ended up doing) but if you get a frame that is too big then you're snookered.

    Good luck!
    At 5'8" a 54cm frame should fit but if it is just a little bit too big, it may still be worth going for it with a shorter stem. I'm 5'8" and have a 56cm Cube (equivalent to a 54cm frame on other models). Once I put on a shorter stem, it fitted me perfectly.

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