Newbie - help with choosing a road bike? (Short rider, 4'10")

Natson

Hello, I am new to road cycling, i've never ridden a road bike (and infact i've never even had a bike with gears before) but i'm looking into road cycling as a way to keep fit as it interests me quite a bit and just looks really fun and enjoyable, plus i've lovely cycle routes in my area and i'm keen to finally get out and about on them.

I mostly plan on cycling on roads and cycle paths, there's a simple 10 mile route to the next town over which i'm interested in making my regular ride as I see it as a good way to get fit while also being able to go to a different town and enjoy myself. Going to use flat pedals too.

These are the road bikes (some are road/cyclocross I think) i've found so far that I think would fit me, they're all children's but they look okay to me, I wanted to know which of them would be a decent one to get, I don't understand most of the tech specifications

Frog Road 70

Raleigh Performance 26 Junior Road

Specialized Allez 650C 2016 Junior Road Bike

Do you guys think any of these would suit my needs? I just want something that'll fit with my size but also work nicely for me in terms of what it can and can't do, and hopefully last me a good few years. And something that I can more or less ride all year round. Probably won't go out if it's absolutely pouring with rain though! Can anyone tell me more about these bikes? or offer other suggestions?


Measurements: 148cm Tall - 69cm Inside leg - 150cm Arm span (Is arm span important?)
Budget: £460 (But honestly, that's all my money, going to need something left for a helmet)

Many thanks to any replies


(Bit of an odd question but I thought I might put this in here, I may have read this entirely wrong but I read somewhere, can't remember, that having breaks on the top bars of road bikes along with the normal breaks on the hoods can make the normal breaks less effective, is this true or have I entirely forgotten how to read?)

giropaul

I think that going to 650 wheels is the right way to go.
Two other suggestions, Islabikes produce some very well thought through scaled- down bikes with good equipment specifications.
If your budget allows, maybe after something off-the-peg gets you hooked on cycling, bespoke frame builders, such as Mercian, can build frames exactly to your measurements. I have seen some really nice 650 wheel builds from them.

simon_e

I agree with giropaul - 650c or Islabikes Luath. If you don't like the extra brake levers on the top of the 'bars they can be removed.

Giant's women's version of the Defy (whatever it's called) comes in an XS size that might fit but IIRC it is 700c wheels and the larger wheels invariably causes toe overlap, where your shoe can touch the front tyre in tight turns.

Youth Cycle Sport is a good website, here's a link to a grouptest of 26" road/CX bikes:
http://www.youthcyclesport.co.uk/kit/re ... oss-bikes/

A £30 helmet is just as effective as a £150 one. Get one that fits & feels comfortable - try a few as different brands suit different head shapes.

If you want a bike to last well then it's crucial that you maintain it, especially in winter. There are loads of Youtube videos, including some by GCN (http://youtube.com/gcn), that walk you through each task.

apreading

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-re ... 74036.html

Natson

apreading;

I'm not sure on a 51cm frame, it may be a bit big for me, even with the 650c wheels. I think the website said only the frames are downsized rather than all the components. I'd be worried about the reach of the handlebars and brakes too, i've got small hands to go with my small stature.

Simon E and giropaul;

I'd rather avoid 700c wheels for the exact reasons you specified there, plus bikes with wheels like that, even specified childrens like the Luath 700s, the standover height seems too tall for me to be able to feel comfortable on it, as i'd rather know I can safely reach the ground at stops you know?

I've looked at Islabikes' Luath 26 and it seems really nice, though it is stretching my budget a bit. I'm not too keen on it's mismatched left and right brakes though, is it possible to change it to match? (kind of like what Raleigh had done with the bike I listed above). I know it seems a little silly to be hestitant just because of something like that, but it just throws me a bit. (Not sure if right wording was used there).

I had found that Youth Cycle Sport page before, it says the Raleigh is a nice one but I'm still not sure on it's sizing as it's described as quite a long bike in the comments, and i'm a short torso'd person.

If I were to go for a 650c road bike like the Allez listed above, could I use it for light off road cycling? (fine gravel and well used dirt paths). Would it be a case of getting grippier tyres or is it just not built for that? Only asking that as there's a nice country park near me where people can cycle through, not the end of the world if not though because there's enough road and normal cycle paths around to keep me happy

Thanks for the link, I think I saw a few of their videos before on the british cycling website, it's great to know they've got how-to's on it for bike maintenance, previously most of my bikes just got left outside and rusted away, so i'm keen to keep which ever one I buy now in top shape.

StillGoing

Natson wrote:

apreading;

I'm not sure on a 51cm frame, it may be a bit big for me, even with the 650c wheels. I think the website said only the frames are downsized rather than all the components. I'd be worried about the reach of the handlebars and brakes too, i've got small hands to go with my small stature.

Simon E and giropaul;

I'd rather avoid 700c wheels for the exact reasons you specified there, plus bikes with wheels like that, even specified childrens like the Luath 700s, the standover height seems too tall for me to be able to feel comfortable on it, as i'd rather know I can safely reach the ground at stops you know?

I've looked at Islabikes' Luath 26 and it seems really nice, though it is stretching my budget a bit. I'm not too keen on it's mismatched left and right brakes though, is it possible to change it to match? (kind of like what Raleigh had done with the bike I listed above). I know it seems a little silly to be hestitant just because of something like that, but it just throws me a bit. (Not sure if right wording was used there).

I had found that Youth Cycle Sport page before, it says the Raleigh is a nice one but I'm still not sure on it's sizing as it's described as quite a long bike in the comments, and i'm a short torso'd person.

If I were to go for a 650c road bike like the Allez listed above, could I use it for light off road cycling? (fine gravel and well used dirt paths). Would it be a case of getting grippier tyres or is it just not built for that? Only asking that as there's a nice country park near me where people can cycle through, not the end of the world if not though because there's enough road and normal cycle paths around to keep me happy

Thanks for the link, I think I saw a few of their videos before on the british cycling website, it's great to know they've got how-to's on it for bike maintenance, previously most of my bikes just got left outside and rusted away, so i'm keen to keep which ever one I buy now in top shape.

51cm virtual top tube will be too big. I'm a shortie (5ft 6"ish) and a 51cm top tube is the max for me before the bike starts looking wrong and I start over extending. If you can get away with avoiding the drop to 650 wheels do so. Have a look at some of the compact frames where the virtual top tube length can be greatly reduced. Not sure what sex you are, but even if you're male, there's always the option of using women's frames to avoid the drop in wheel size. Men use women golf clubs when the length of male club shafts are too long so why not use women frames? They don't all come in girly colours.

Natson

philthy3 wrote:

51cm virtual top tube will be too big. I'm a shortie (5ft 6"ish) and a 51cm top tube is the max for me before the bike starts looking wrong and I start over extending. If you can get away with avoiding the drop to 650 wheels do so. Have a look at some of the compact frames where the virtual top tube length can be greatly reduced. Not sure what sex you are, but even if you're male, there's always the option of using women's frames to avoid the drop in wheel size. Men use women golf clubs when the length of male club shafts are too long so why not use women frames? They don't all come in girly colours.

(Haha, i'm male mate. Also off-topic, i'd love to be your height, don't know short till you're 4'10" and finished growing , gotta laugh about it.) I was originally looking at the Carrera Zelos Women's road bike from halfords, had a small "femme" written on the top tube but I could have put tape over it if it really bothered me. Honestly the worry of the 700c wheels and the "toe overlap" puts me off a bit though.

I think If the trade off for feeling more comfortable on the bike is pedaling more to make up for the size of 650c wheels then i'll happily do that. All the more weight loss for me? (Maybe?)

It's a good suggestion and I'd look at more women's road bikes but the majority seem to come in over my budget and again with the reach seeming a little big, I mean it's not specified, which is annoying, but just from the look of the bikes it seems a little far for me. Through reading reviews and such online i've also found that for shorter riders it's best to have a smaller crank length too apprently, according to Youth Cycle Sport at least, and from what i've seen most adult road bikes seem to have large crank lengths regardless of size. Maybe i'm just not looking enough.

According to http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... 08/15allez the Allez road bike has a 485mm/48.5cm horizontal top tube length, so it may fit nicely for me? I'm thinking of taking myself up to the nearest store that has it in stock and try it out for myself, if they'll let me. It'd probably be worth it to know exactly how it feels.

Also, thanks for all the replies so far guys.

apreading

Might be worth a read: http://www.youthcyclesport.co.uk/kit/re ... orte-road/

Super discounts at the moment:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/b ... ort-e-bike

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/k ... -bike-41cm

StillGoing

Natson wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

51cm virtual top tube will be too big. I'm a shortie (5ft 6"ish) and a 51cm top tube is the max for me before the bike starts looking wrong and I start over extending. If you can get away with avoiding the drop to 650 wheels do so. Have a look at some of the compact frames where the virtual top tube length can be greatly reduced. Not sure what sex you are, but even if you're male, there's always the option of using women's frames to avoid the drop in wheel size. Men use women golf clubs when the length of male club shafts are too long so why not use women frames? They don't all come in girly colours.

(Haha, i'm male mate. Also off-topic, i'd love to be your height, don't know short till you're 4'10" and finished growing , gotta laugh about it.) I was originally looking at the Carrera Zelos Women's road bike from halfords, had a small "femme" written on the top tube but I could have put tape over it if it really bothered me. Honestly the worry of the 700c wheels and the "toe overlap" puts me off a bit though.

I think If the trade off for feeling more comfortable on the bike is pedaling more to make up for the size of 650c wheels then i'll happily do that. All the more weight loss for me? (Maybe?)

It's a good suggestion and I'd look at more women's road bikes but the majority seem to come in over my budget and again with the reach seeming a little big, I mean it's not specified, which is annoying, but just from the look of the bikes it seems a little far for me. Through reading reviews and such online i've also found that for shorter riders it's best to have a smaller crank length too apprently, according to Youth Cycle Sport at least, and from what i've seen most adult road bikes seem to have large crank lengths regardless of size. Maybe i'm just not looking enough.

According to http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... 08/15allez the Allez road bike has a 485mm/48.5cm horizontal top tube length, so it may fit nicely for me? I'm thinking of taking myself up to the nearest store that has it in stock and try it out for myself, if they'll let me. It'd probably be worth it to know exactly how it feels.

Also, thanks for all the replies so far guys.

Shorter cranks are more for what type of cadence you have. Do you prefer to ride in a big gear grinding it out or do you prefer to have a high cadence. If the latter, shorter crank arms are the way to go. I use 165mm on my Reacto and 170mm on my 2nd bike.

Have a look at the Giant Envie and Avail, Trek Emonda and Silque ranges. They might be at the upper end of your reach, but less obvious as women's bikes.

gimpl

Like other have suggested if you can stick to 700 wheels you will get a lot more choice in the long run.

I bought my Son an XS Giant Defy a couple of Christmases ago, if you're anywhere near Milton Keynes you're welcome to come and try it out.

Natson

Gimpl wrote:

Like other have suggested if you can stick to 700 wheels you will get a lot more choice in the long run.

I bought my Son an XS Giant Defy a couple of Christmases ago, if you're anywhere near Milton Keynes you're welcome to come and try it out.

Defy's a little big with standover height, "73.7cm" for the XS, I can only go to a maximum of 69cm. There may be a bigger range of 700c wheel road bikes but I'm not seeing a large range of under £500 road bikes with a 700c wheel set that will specifically fit someone of my height and geometry, if i'm honest.

A comfortable and confident ride and fit is what i'm after, (along with longevity, that hopefully will be achieved with regular maintenance). Which is why i'm not hesitant with going for smaller wheel sizes.

I think i'm going to narrow it down to being between the Specialized Allez Junior and the Raleigh Performance Road/CX. The Allez looks nice enough (to my untrained eye at least) and I hear a lot of good things about the specialized brand so i'd hope even their lower specced(?) bikes would be good. And the Raleigh i'm considering just for the versatility it'd offer for some light off-road if I felt like it, and it was received well in that YouthCycleSport review. I found a dealer local to me so I think I might ask them whether or not I could try one out for size before I commit.

StillGoing

Don't go by stand over height. That is an old method of sizing and as long as you aren't crushing your nuts when you stand over the bike, I wouldn't worry about it.

dork_knight

How about giving Dolan a call to see what they have to say about your measurements and their 45cm frame;
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... inium.html

ugo.santalucia

You have to check your hands' reach... if you have small hands you might struggle with most road levers... possibly SRAM are better for that, but I am not sure.

Natson

philthy3 wrote:

Don't go by stand over height. That is an old method of sizing and as long as you aren't crushing your nuts when you stand over the bike, I wouldn't worry about it.

No yeah i'm not trying to find a bike with a lot of space between me and the top tube I just want something where I won't be on tip toes or where i'll struggle to actually get on the bike.

Dork Knight wrote:

How about giving Dolan a call to see what they have to say about your measurements and their 45cm frame;
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... inium.html

They don't seem to have 45cm in stock at the moment. At least, the option is greyed out. Also above my budget a whole lot. Looks snazzy though, I do like bikes with blue.

ugo.santalucia wrote:

You have to check your hands' reach... if you have small hands you might struggle with most road levers... possibly SRAM are better for that, but I am not sure.

Is there a specific way to check my hand's reach or is it just a case of seeing if I can reach it on an actual bike? From the end of wrist to tip of middle finger is 6 inches, if that means anything, haha.


Anyway, I think i'm going to take myself to the closest Evan's store and try out the Allez Junior. Better than ordering blind online, get a free fit too. And they said on the site I can refund on the spot if it's not for me so that's all good. I wouldn't want to go over my budget for a bike I potentially couldn't ride because it's either to tall for me or I can't reach the brake. Think i'll be stuck with the limited choice of junior specific bikes for now. Especially at this budget. Just gotta get massively rich so I can have a bike custom built for me right?

animal72

Bianchi go down to 44cm on their C2C range, with sensible stem/bar/crank lengths. My Mrs has one and loves it. - still 700c wheels though.
If you shop around you *might* get an Ally frame Via Nirone for your budget.