I’m looking to get a tri bike for my girlfriend. She’s 5’2" with a 30" inseam. Do you think a 52cm is to big? Any suggestions please? Anyone have one for sale?
As a very general rule lake the inseam in cm x .67 to get frame size.
2.54*30/.67= 51cm. So 52cm might be a litte big but pretty good. If she is starting off, I would look at the 2005 Felt’s. There are some great bikes in the $1200-$2100 dollar range, some with full DA. http://www.feltracing.com/2005_bikes/2005_s25.html
Of course 30 people will now chime in say you need to get professionally fitted.
Thanks. There is a nice Felt on ebay right now that’s a 52cm. That’s why I asked. I’m about to buy a B2 so maybe he’ll give me a better deal.
Well, put it this way, I’m 5’9" tall with an 80.5 cm inseam. The last people to fit me on a bike (in order) were Dan Empfield of Slow Twitch, some fella whose name I forgot from New England Cycling Academy (NECA, inventor of the FitKit sizing system) and even Gereard from Cervelo had a look at my position, although he did not officially “fit” me. Prior to that 5 time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx at his factory in Miese, Belgium. I’ve also had Ves Mandaric of Yaqui look at my dimensions and make recommendations on frame dimensions and geometry.
Depending on the manufacturer and how they name their sizes I ride from what is named a 51cm up to as much as a 54cm according to some manufacturer’s size names.
Remember, the name of the size of the bike does not necessarily reflect its actual dimensions. Always get meausured accurately by an expereinced fitter in your area and measure precisely the frame you intend to use. Buying a frame that is too big is a terrible waste of money and a big shame.
Best of luck.
The top tube might be too long for her torso. You might want to spend a little more and get fitted at a bike shop. Better to get a less expensive bike that fits then a more expensive one that doesn’t fit.
I have to disagree, who cares what the general rules say, you need to get her over a bike to see what will fit. I am 5’6" and I ride a 49cm frame (compact albeit,). I rode a 52cm frame for years and it was waaay to big for me. Once I got the smaller bike it was a huge difference. And no, I don’t have long torso/short legs or short torso/long legs.
I ride a 52 cm Felt B2, 650c, and its a good fit. A 54 is just too big for me. I am 5’8" with a 30" inseam. I have a short upper body and I am using a 110cm stem with almost no rise. At 5’2" you might have shorten up the stem a bunch. As for standover height, I have plenty to spare but if her inseam is less than 28" it might be close. It is a wonderful bike though, I got the frame to make into a training bike and now my biggest decision before each race is which bike too bring, life is so tough! Have fun.