I’m looking to purchase a used beginner’s bike for my girlfriend for Christmas. She is interested in starting to compete in triathlons starting next year. She’s 5’3", so she’s likely a small. My price range is around $600. If anyone is selling such a bike for around that price range, please let me know. Or, if anyone has any suggestions on where to find such a bike for that price range, that would be helpful also. Happy holidays to everyone!
Brian
Take her to you local bike shop, and have her pick out a bike she likes. Have the bike shop maintain it. Otherwise it’s YOUR bike that is wrong for her and if it fails in any way it’s YOUR mechanic’s skillz that let her down…
Most road and tri bikes are not sized in small/med/large. The size is given in cm and it’s approximately the measurement of the top tube length. The true size depends, usually, on the manufacturer’s whim and on the frame geometry (whether or not the top tube is sloped, etc…). At 5’3", you’re probably looking for a 48 or 51 cm frame.
If your GF is just starting in tri then you would be well off to guide her to a road bike to start with. It will be easier to ride, and the fractionally better aero she might get with a full-up tri frame will be insignificant for the first couple of tri’s anyway, as she figures out the transition stuff, how to do pacing, and all that other stuff. Get her some clip-on handlebar extensions if she is already a decent bike rider.
I’m a 5’3" female and ride a size 47/48. Another thing to consider is the wheel size. I ride a 650c wheel vice the 700c that most road/tri bikes are. I’ve had two road bikes that were 700c wheels and I never rode them because I didn’t feel comfortable, I felt like I was on stilts and just didn’t feel like I had as much control as I do on my 650c - now both my tri and road bikes are 650c and I feel completely comfortable. Unfortunately, they don’t make many bikes with 650c wheels anymore. Not sure where you live but you’ll likely get a better bike for $600 if you look at used vice new. Doesn’t hurt to check out the bike shops especially to get an idea of what her size is and they may have used bikes or have customers that might have some for sale. I’ve bought two road bikes off ebay and my husband has bought a number as well that were fantastic deals for bikes that were 4-5 years old but in excellent condition and some had significant upgrades - of course it’s always a gamble with ebay and you need to watch out for the shipping charges. My first tri bike was a 48cm 2006 Cervelo Dual (aluminum tri bike) and it was a great beginner bike and should be around that price range now used. If she catches the tri bug she’ll likely upgrade in a few years anyway.
Craigslist is a good resource for these if you live in a major city. I’d recommend getting a road bike and some clipons. It’s a more versatile bike, and if she gets serious about tris, she’ll want to upgrade from this starter bike anyway.
My wife is 5’2" and we picked her up a Giant in XS. It’s been a great bike for her and didn’t break the bank. It’s the female version of the Defy.
The problem with many 700C road bikes in the 47/48 and smaller range is that they handle poorly as compared to the larger sizes within a product line.
The reason for that is that they shallow out the head tube and don’t change the offset on the fork. That produces a large trail (dimension) and makes the bike handle like a truck with very slow turning.
There are a few bike companies out there that have good handling small road bikes. My favorite is the Felt F series bikes. If you go to the company’s websites you can look at the head tube angles and fork offsets (rake) then calculate the trail. Anything over 61 would be suspect and ideally you want to be closer to 58.
If you find a bike you are interested in and need help with the front end measurements please let me know.
jaretj
Look around for a Specialized Allez
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I have a perfect bike for sale: my wife’s rarely used Schwinn paramount 7, size small, listed for 5-3 to 5-6 on the frame. 105 level spec, full carbon frame. compact 50/34 crank. It’s almost new, she much preferred her hybrid/flat bar bike for all her riding and never really got into the road bike style. I just listed it locally in Baltimore for $700. We are moving to Mass end of December, so while I’d like to sell it before we move, that’s not required if you’re local up there.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/4766950643.html
(I know it’s listed at $700 there, but I’m negotiable, which means I’d accept $600, which was in your budget)
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Not a bike, that’s a Quadracycle.
Look around for a Specialized Allez
The geometry for that bike in a small size is actually fairly good.
jaretj
HI- I’m 5’1" . I have a small TT Felt for sale. Totally set XS with 650 wheels. PM me if you want more info.
Dammit !
I thought you were just looking for a straight swap!
Where are you located? I have a bike you maybe interested.
I got my wife’s first road bike here on Slowtwich!
IT’S A TRAP!!!
Go to a shop. Have her pick out a bike. Let the shop fitter make sure the bike fits.
A surprise bike, bought used, is probably going to be a waste of money. It won’t fit or she otherwise won’t like it for various vague and unspecified reasons, and it won’t be ridden.