Well stated. When you build a frame that size for 700c rims, the only way to get the top tube short enough is to make the seat tube angle very steep. But that short top tube dimension is illusory. You'd get the same effect by using a slacker seat tube angle and one of those time trial seat posts that positions the saddle forward. The steep seat tube angle places the rider's center of mass well forward and she ends up supporting her torso's weight with her arms.
With smaller wheels such as 559-26" the seat tube can have a better laid back angle and you can have a short top tube, without so much overlap in front. On Sep 1, 9:00 pm, "Lisa -S.H." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Adding to this thought, I would also say that the poster is looking for > a 48-50cm frame, apparently for a small woman. They also want to put > fenders on it. This brings up the issue of wheel size and toe overlap, > etc. A frame of that size would probably have to have wheels smaller > than 700c, especially if fenders were wanted. > > Aside from this issue, I personally feel that a smallish woman really > should test ride a bike before buying it. Most stock bikes are made to > men's proportions (even the small ones) and many of them have geometry > that makes women feel poorly balanced. Reach/balance problems are an > ongoing issue for many (not all) women who buy stock bikes. It's a very > common problem for women riders. > I believe that it's not the best scenario for a man to buy a stock frame > for a woman without the women test riding it. Even if she has limited > riding experience, if she rides ten various bikes on test rides, she > will still get a feeling for which ones feel good to her body and which > don't. There will be some that are the "right size" frame for her > height but are uncomfortable because their geometry is poorly suited to > her body proportions, and in some cases no amount of fitting/tweaking > will ever make them comfortable for her. Elbow pain, numb hands, aching > shoulders, etc. can eventually make someone just not want to ride bike > anymore. But once one finds a bike that has the geometry that fits > them beautifully, they can then use those same frame geometry numbers > when shopping for other bikes in the future. > > Even though I can truly appreciate the thoughtful sentiment of building > a bike for your partner/girlfriend/wife, when it comes to women riders I > think it's especially important to test ride a stock bike before > buying. It becomes even more critical if she is petite. > Just my own two cent opinion. :) > Lisa --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
