Reason im asking is, my GF is looking to get in to cycling and I would like to help out with the bike purchase. She is about 5’9" so im thinking a 51cm sounds about right. Any thing I need to know, things to look out for? Tips?
Is she looking for a road bike or a tri bike?
I am 5’9" and I was FIST fitted to a 56cm Felt S22. I feel like the bike fits me perfectly and its very comfortable. 51 seems VERY small for someone who is 5’9", but what do I know.
that seems a little on the small side for someone that tall.
Women generally have a shorter torso than men, this is the reason for my 51cm guess. Standing side by side our hips are pretty much the same height, but im 3in taller. i ride a 58cm road so i did the math (3in = 7.6cm 58-7.6= 50.4 or 51cm). Now im not an expert but i did stay at a Holiday inn last night. Am i correct in my assumption, or am i thinking too much???
Ask EriK Clark.
I’m 5’7" and ride a 51 cm Cervelo P2K tri bike and a 51 clm Cervelo Prodigy road bike and a 51 clm Redline Pro cross bike. Longer legs/shorter torso ratio.
clm
jeepers, she’s tall. mine is a 48cm, but that is for munchkin size people like me.
my g/f rides, she is 5’9’’ or 10, and rides a 54 tri bike, and a 54-56 road bike.
at 5’7’’ 51cm is perfect for me. i think that is going to be too small.
that being said, i have no idea what her body type is, going to get fit would be the best idea.
I am a 5’4" female and have one bike that is a 51cm Steel Jamis and one that is a 49cm Steel Jamis. I also would think a 51 would be too small if she is 4" taller than me.
Honestly- first bike, you just have to get her on something (worth at least the $ for a bike shop fit) and see what she likes.
Is it a road bike? Depending where she lives, my tip would be to get her a 12-25 cassette on the back (if it is standard 53-39 gearing up front) When buying my first bike, I didn’t know what this meant, but was happy the bike shop owner trumped my guy friend’s advice of a 12-23 after riding some of the hills in cincinnati. Another tip would be to see if the bike shop rents saddles. She isn’t going to know what she likes with out riding a few.
I am 5’9" with a normal-long torso. I ride a 53 cm Cannondale road bike and a 52 cm Cannondale Ironman 2000 TT bike. Top tube length differs for various bike companies so I would look at the geometry before deciding on a 51 cm across the board. Good luck!
Amie
HAH-that’s why i like you so much! I ride a 46 and I love hills and the wind!
HAH-that’s why i like you so much! I ride a 46 and I love hills and the wind!
well, and i’ve told you before i love things french fried! see, we’re soul mates! 
One of the national dishes is french fries and mussels-perfect!
also watch the head tube length, if she has long legs (in relation to height) and short body you might end up with a bike that has too long a top tube or too short a head tube. My wife is 5/10 rides a 54.5 tt, with a 55 seat tube but needs a head tube of 16cm or so, this still gives her a 8cm drop.
I’m 5’3" and I ride a 53/54 in a Specialized. A 51 would be too small. She’s tall…lucky gal… she can ride anything really (makes/models)… Cervelo, Kuota, QR, Trek…
I’m 5’10 and ride a 51 P2SL. My reach is only equivalent to about someone who is 5’7. Very short torso.
Do you also ride with a significant amount of drop or do you need spacers? If I recall correctly the head tube on the P2s are short relative to other bikes, I use to have one a few years ago.
I ride with about 10cm of drop and two spacers.
I just got this bike a few months ago and will probably take out one spacer by September .
I ride with about 10cm of drop and two spacers.
I just got this bike a few months ago and will probably take out one spacer by September .
I am just passingly curious! At 5.10 that would be about right but even then you must be fairly flexible. Enjoy the bike, I did and good luck at your next race.
I am quite flexible. But not quite as flexible as I used to be - I was doing only astanga yoga for about 4 years prior to taking up triathlon.