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Cyclocross bike for smaller person?

peterwong

Nov 18, 09 22:05

Post #1 of 10 (277 views)

Cyclocross bike for smaller person?	Can't Post

I'm looking at buying a cyclocross bike. Are their any good cyclocross bikes for smaller riders? I am 5'3 and I know there can be an issue with toe overlap with frames in my size and 700c wheels.

I currently ride a XS (48cm) Cervelo with 650c wheels and I like it very much. I would imagine that if I had 700c wheels on my bike [even though they won't physical fit] that there would be an overlap problem.

I haven't heard of a 650c wheel cyclocross bike. Does anyone know of any good cyclocross frames that might accomdate small riders like myself?

rroof

Nov 19, 09 5:12

Post #2 of 10 (250 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [peterwong] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't know of a 650c cross bike and you will definitely have some toe overlap issues. No way around that. The Redline Conquest line of bikes come pretty small with excellent geometry for a fair price.
____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD

remnfa

Nov 19, 09 5:34

Post #3 of 10 (244 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [peterwong] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not sure if every model year is like this, but the Redline Conquest 24 (their kids cx bike) is able to be be converted from 24" wheels to 650c. The idea is the bike grows with the rider. Although now that I think about it, I believe the 650 configuration uses a road-bike brake. The top tube is 45, so it might be too small. They also have a size 44 (with a 51cm tt) as their xs size. So you should be able to get something.

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/...oss/2010-conquest-24
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/...ocross/2010-conquest

"I ran. I ran until my muscles burned and my veins pumped battery acid. Then I ran some more."

jhouse4

Nov 19, 09 5:50

Post #4 of 10 (234 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [peterwong] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The Kona Jake series also has a 47 CM bike.

Deus ex Machina

Nov 19, 09 5:53

Post #5 of 10 (234 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [remnfa] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wife is 5'2" and she's riding a 42cm Surly Cross Check. She doesn't have too many issues with the overlap on it, but it is heavy.

I did try and tease her with the 24" Redline, but it really is a small bike.

chance

Nov 19, 09 5:58

Post #6 of 10 (228 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [Deus ex Machina] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Peter check out the Blue Norcross. we have been known in our 5 year history as a company who makes great fitting 700c wheel bikes for the shorter crowd.
Chance Regina
Blue Competition Cycles

TripleP

Nov 19, 09 7:18

Post #7 of 10 (204 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [peterwong] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

My wife is your size, 5'3", and she races a 48cm Ridley Supercross. It fits her quite well, although the higher BB means she has to jump higher than her last bike. If you are going to be racing on it, make sure that you find one that has a big enough triangle to get your arm through. My wife had a hard time with that since alot of bike are sloping top tubes. That isn't a problem in a 54cm frame, but on a 48 or 50cm frame, it is. I can't speak about toe overlap though.

The only cross bike I know of with < 700c wheel is a Terry bike. I think Kerri Litka rides or has ridden the Terry cross bike with 26" mtb wheels on it - she's TINY. That's a solution too, but maybe a little drastic for you. Tire choice can be a problem for racing, but not a big deal for recreational riding.

If have a 50cm Ridley frameset for sale too (about the same geometry as her 48cm Supercross), if you are interested in putting one together.
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...rch_string=;#2444823

-Patrick

fifth string

Nov 30, 09 9:18

Post #8 of 10 (139 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [peterwong] [In reply to]	Can't Post

A couple of options:

http://www.sweetpeabicycles.com/...ntroducing-the-26er/

http://www.terrybicycles.com/cycling_savvy/valcross

If you get 26"/650 wheels it will limit your tire selection, but that may be better than an ill-fitting bike.

G-man

Nov 30, 09 9:54

Post #9 of 10 (132 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [fifth string] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would not go with a smaller wheel option as you lose about 90% of your tire choices. In cross, tires and pressures mean a lot. Toe overlap is not a bad thing. Even at slower speeds and 180 degree turns, bumping your foot on the front wheel is a distraction, not a deal breaker. All my bikes have some toe overlap and in my 40 plus years of road,cross, mtb, track cycling I have never crashed once due to toe hitting the front wheel. I would guess maybe on every 4th or 5th ride I hit the front tire a bit. Not near as much as when toeclips were the standard, but with size 13 feet that is just a way of life.
There are a bunch of folks shorter than you on 700c wheels riding the 47 cm frames that are not falling off their bikes at any cross race I have been to. My wife hates her toe overlap, but she has not ever crashed because of it, but I hear about it every time it happens.
I would guess they may be able to make a frame with no toe overlap in your size, but I am not too sure the handeling would be what you wanted.

cour10ay

Nov 30, 09 10:25

Post #10 of 10 (115 views)

Re: Cyclocross bike for smaller person? [G-man] [In reply to]	Can't Post

x2 on wheel size - 650's are a total PITA! I would definitely get 700's.

I was in your same situation back in 2004/5, I'm 5'3" and had a really hard time finding a stock cx bike that fit. There were fewer options back then so I wound up buying a custom steel frame, 700c wheels, it fits great and I've not had any excessive toe-overlap problems. Sycip and Hunter make great custom cross bikes that aren't crazy expensive. Regarding Chance's post recommending Blue, I haven't tried their cross bike but I LOVE my XS Blue TT bike, based on that bike I think they are very attentive to fit needs of smaller riders.

Have fun!