I started in triathlon two years ago. Since that time I’ve done 7 triathlons, most recently having completed my first 70.3. I’ve been getting by on a BMC Team Machine 47" road bike which I love. For the short distance races I’ve managed to power through on the BMC but the 70.3 was my first experience with a longer course and I’m at the point where I’ve decided I want to commit and invest in a tri bike.
One of the reasons I went with BMC for my first road bike was they make bikes in 47". I’m 5’4, average build, average proportions, below avg flexibility. Finding a road bike that fit me comfortably was tough, and I’m guessing it will be the same for a tri bike.
Are there any brands that are particularly known for being a good fit for shorter riders?
Especially since it is your first tri bike I would recommend getting a proper fit. After getting your fit coordinates its easier to determine what bikes work for you.
The smaller BMC’s tend to measure kind of big. Your 47 Team Machine is similar size as a 51 or 52 in some other brands. I ride an older Team Machine in size 50, and it is similar to size 52 or 53 road bike for many other brands. I could have fit to a 51 or 54 Felt IA, and ended up getting an IA10 in size 54.
Cervelo and Felt offer bikes in size 48, but at your height you might not need that small of a frame.
Especially since it is your first tri bike I would recommend getting a proper fit. After getting your fit coordinates its easier to determine what bikes work for you.
The smaller BMC’s tend to measure kind of big. Your 47 Team Machine is similar size as a 51 or 52 in some other brands. I ride an older Team Machine in size 50, and it is similar to size 52 or 53 road bike for many other brands. I could have fit to a 51 or 54 Felt IA, and ended up getting an IA10 in size 54.
Cervelo and Felt offer bikes in size 48, but at your height you might not need that small of a frame.
Thanks j.shanney. I had no idea there was such a wide variation between different brand’s sizes.
5’4" isn’t terribly short, but it is right on the cups of maybe needing a 650 wheeled bike, so as suggested, get fit first so you only have to buy a bike once.
Be sure and get your needed Stack, as many bikes won’t let you get low enough if you are one who really fits a low front position. For me, I chose a 48 P5 as the stack on it was the only one in my frames of choice that allowed me to get to my desired position. The Reach is equally important so as to ensure you are not over stretched.
I was looking at the Dimond XS. It says that I am too tall for it, at 5’6", but it’s stack and reach are slightly bigger than my old Cannondale Slice (2009 model) that has 37.5 reach and 48.5 stack. The XS Dimond has similar stack and reach as a 51 P3!!! I found my 51 P3 never fit as well as the Slice due to the longer reach and slightly higher stack. Not many short guy/girl bikes on the market like that Slice anymore…everyone’s small bike and even extra small bike is too long reach for someone like me who is short with long legs and no torso!!! It seems like for no torso people who are short, we can never get short enough reach bikes, because bike manufacturers seems to be worried about toe overlap by make the reach too short…but you can do that with a slack head tube
Thanks for the feedback everyone. My main takeaway from this thread is that I should probably get a proper bike fitting before pulling the trigger on any purchase.
I had never heard of Premier bikes until this thread. They are on the pricier side but looks like you receive good value. For those who have the Tactical 2.0 - is this frame compatible with a Tacx Neo?
QR has a 48cm PR Five and Six with small geometry (700cc wheels). I’m in your height range, and I ride a PR Six. The stack of the PR Six is the same or slightly less than then Felt IA.
QR also has a 45 bike with 650 cc wheels.
QR has a 48cm PR Five and Six with small geometry (700cc wheels). I’m in your height range, and I ride a PR Six. The stack of the PR Six is the same or slightly less than then Felt IA.
QR also has a 45 bike with 650 cc wheels.
The Premier XS has 650cc wheels FYI.
Yes I noticed that on the Premier website. The Premier XS also does not have the rear hydration. I don’t think I’m willing to drop down to 650cc.
I’m in the same boat. I’m 5’6†and slightly shorter torso than legs I guess. Looking for a new tri bike, hard to find a frame that has what I need - when I rode a 51cm Cervelo S2 it had a lot of toe overlap and I’m worried about that on smaller bikes. Felt IAxx in 48…too small? Trying to get stack/reach in the area of 530/465.
I started in triathlon two years ago. Since that time I’ve done 7 triathlons, most recently having completed my first 70.3. I’ve been getting by on a BMC Team Machine 47" road bike which I love. For the short distance races I’ve managed to power through on the BMC but the 70.3 was my first experience with a longer course and I’m at the point where I’ve decided I want to commit and invest in a tri bike.
One of the reasons I went with BMC for my first road bike was they make bikes in 47". I’m 5’4, average build, average proportions, below avg flexibility. Finding a road bike that fit me comfortably was tough, and I’m guessing it will be the same for a tri bike.
Are there any brands that are particularly known for being a good fit for shorter riders?
Appreciate the help!P5 gets really small, and they actually have a few 650s left in prior year models for cheap.
P5X gets really small. Felt B14 has a 47 if you’re looking for a budget option (these will be VERY difficult to come by this year). An undermount with the IA and IAx gets you really low.
At the end of the day, 5’4 will probably get you on just about a number of 700c bikes effectively as long as you can standover.
At first my ego wouldn’t allow me to even consider a 650 but after doing some research I’m starting to warm up to the idea…Totally understand. I tend to encourage customers to find a 700c option unless they can’t stand over the top tube effectively, but there is nothing wrong with a 650 bike and you can perform every bit as well irrespective of whether you’re on a 650 or 700. Still, at 5’4 you should have 700c options depending on budget and preferences.
At first my ego wouldn’t allow me to even consider a 650 but after doing some research I’m starting to warm up to the idea…Totally understand. I tend to encourage customers to find a 700c option unless they can’t stand over the top tube effectively, but there is nothing wrong with a 650 bike and you can perform every bit as well irrespective of whether you’re on a 650 or 700. Still, at 5’4 you should have 700c options depending on budget and preferences.
Thanks Trent.
Assuming 650/700 are both in play - are you suggesting I should stick with 700 given what you know about my dimensions? Is there a particular reason?
I agree with others who said you should do a pre-purchase fit.
My partner is 5"3 and we got her a Felt IA16 in size 48 and it fits great. As far as 700c wheel bikes, I don’t think any offer as low a stack as this one, and with the included spacers you can always get the bars higher if that’s what you end up needing.
At first my ego wouldn’t allow me to even consider a 650 but after doing some research I’m starting to warm up to the idea…Totally understand. I tend to encourage customers to find a 700c option unless they can’t stand over the top tube effectively, but there is nothing wrong with a 650 bike and you can perform every bit as well irrespective of whether you’re on a 650 or 700. Still, at 5’4 you should have 700c options depending on budget and preferences.
Thanks Trent.
Assuming 650/700 are both in play - are you suggesting I should stick with 700 given what you know about my dimensions? Is there a particular reason?700 will give you lots more wheel choices in the future and more tire choices. And you’ll have more bike choices too.
At 5’4, it’s likely you’ll be able to have a safe standover on most 700s.
Ego shouldn’t keep you from a 650, but only math should keep you from a 700. Get fit on a fit bike (from a good fitter) and that should make this a much simpler discussion.