what size frame for a 5'3" girl?

[Burner]

what size is in the ballpark for a girl that size? trying to help a friend find a 'starter' ride on craigslist or some classifieds, but I have no idea what size to look for.

thanks

[2wheel_lee]

It kind of depends on her torso/leg size. On average, though, I'd recommend a small over an extra small. Unfortunately, measuring seat tube sizes is difficult, since there is no real standard. For example, one of my bikes is an 18, and the other is a 16. There is no geometry difference other than seat height. The effective top tube length and wheelbase is pratically identical.

[Burner]

thanks, how does "small" usually translate into inches?
(I've been meaning to ask the ladies that )

like a 14" 15" or 16" frame?

this doesn't need to be the worlds best fitting bike right now, just something that she can ride to get a feel for the sport.

[2wheel_lee]

Yeah, I hear the small comment a lot...

Anyhow...Generally, small is 16", and an extra small is 14-14.5". A 16" frame should fit her, regardless of her proportions, and you can tune it by changing the stem length.

My current gf is 5'3", and after she was on my "largeish" 16" framed bike, she's now on a medium Intense UZZI SLX, but it has a very short top tube. The bike has a 70mm stem, and I think the bike fits her perfectly.

[~ Pakiha ~]

My wife is 5'6" and has a 15.5 Spec'd stumpjumper and loves it
----------------------THIS ONE
----------------------VVVVVVVVVV

[Marshall Willanholly]

My girlfriend is around that size. She's had a few bikes over the past three years with varying levels of satisfaction with the fit. Her first was a Jamis hardtail, 13" frame. Next bike was a Kona Kikapu Deluxe, 14" frame. Then a Turner 5Spot, size small. And now an Intense 6.6, size small and a Kona Explosif single speed, 14" frame. She also recently demo'd an Iron Horse 6Point, size small.

The only bike on this list that she wasn't comfortable on was the Turner. It also had the longest TT of the bunch. We tried everything to get her comfortable on that bike; stem size, seatpost setback, handlebar rise, but nothing really worked. Her first demo on the Intense and she said she immediately felt at home, no fiddling necessary.

After trying lots of bikes, she seems to prefer bikes with a top tube measurement around 21.5-21.75 inches and fairly steep seat tube angles, which suit her longer legs and short torso.

I hope all that helps a little. It would be good if she could test ride a few of the bikes she's considering to help her get a feel for what she likes.

[Pain Freak]

2wheel has got it. Torso size plays a big portion to it. I have a small 5 spot and I love the fit. My Surly is a 14" and I also like the fit on it. I personally believe the tt is more important then the standover, but that's just me. Being a vertically challenged individual (5'3") I've had to adjust to some bike frames that didn't "feel" right and once you find a bike that fits, you won't settle for anything less again.

14 to 16 small
16 to 18 medium
18 to 20 large
20 to 22 ridiculous