I know it’s not a high end bike, but my wife likes it and she has, up to this point, resisted my attempts to get her onto a roadbike. It’s Tiagra equipped, aluminium wth carbon fork. I know it’s strictly road geometry but better than nothing. Anyone with experience on these bikes? Reasons for or against? She is 5’ tall and a very small frame is needed, any suggestions for a similar bike with a sloping top tube? The Reno is a 48.
Any and all input is appreciated.
J
I have not ridden a Reno but I used to ride a 2000 Lemond Alp De Huez…like butter. Buy it and she will love it. Lemond bike might not be fashionable but fashion doesn’t ride.
Fashion doesn’t ride, I like that. That was kind of my thinking too, just get her on it and off the MTB.
I was just checking out the LeMond website. The frame she was on yesterday was a 49 and it was , ever so slightly, too tall. The LBS told me they had a 48 but it was not built up. The website says the frame is made in 45, 49, 53. No 48 frame exists. This concerns me that the LBS either didn’t know their product or were, more hopefully, mistaken. I will concede the point and call it a mistake but will the 45 be too small?
J
I know it’s not a high end bike, but my wife likes it and she has, up to this point, resisted my attempts to get her onto a roadbike. It’s Tiagra equipped, aluminium wth carbon fork. I know it’s strictly road geometry but better than nothing. Anyone with experience on these bikes? Reasons for or against? She is 5’ tall and a very small frame is needed, any suggestions for a similar bike with a sloping top tube? The Reno is a 48.
Any and all input is appreciated.
J
I’ve hear LeMond’s are not good for women because they have long top tubes… and since your wife is rather small you might look into that…
The womens 45 has a top tube of 488 and an effective length of 498. Any idea how that compares to others?
For waht it’s worth, on the 49 (they don’t make a mens 45), the w top tube is 503 and mens is 517.
J
Maybe look at Trek WSD bikes… and make sure they measure from the same points.
Thanks, I will.
I had a Lemond Bueneos Aires (sp) from 2001 or 2002. That was the best handling road bike I’ve ever riden, I’ve ridden treks, kestrals, colnagos, giants and others. It inspires confidence in wet and off camber turns like no other. If you are between sizes take the smaller size then run up more seat post and a longer stem.
Just curious, if it was the best handling road bike why do you not still have or am I missing something 
.
My wife has a 2004 lemond Reno WSD (Womens Specific) in the smallest frame size they make. She’s petite - around or maybe under 5 feet tall and 100 pounds soaking wet and it works great for her. Her bike has a triple crank, Tiagra FD and 105 rear, which is more than good enough for her experience and the amount of riding she does. Got a great deal on it from the LBS as well - under $700 out the door if I recall correctly.
Thanks, my wife is just, just five feet as well. The 49 was pushing her onto her toes over the top tube. The 45 seems like it may be the way to go. It’s got Bontrager wheels, tiagra all round and goes at $1,199 Canadian. Even with the exchange, thats quite a jump from $700 US.
I’m also looking at a used Specialized Allez sport in a 48 frame. That would likely be my choice but as it’s been a bit of a struggle to get her on to a road bike, she has to decide what is in her comfort zone.
j
Definitely don’t buy a bike that is too big. I am 5’3 on a 49size bianchi, the toptube is 52cm C-C and the bike is too big for me. The standover is fine, but the toptube is too long. I dont think the 49 would fit her well.
Don’t buy the bike solely based on standover, make sure the toptube length is short enough for her to normally reach the brakes/shifters and all hand positions without fatigue. Otherwise she wont want to ride it.
Rather get the 45 and compensate with stem and seat position like the others said. You cant make a bike that’s too big fit.
The 49 was definitely too big, I wouldn’t even consider it for her. I think the 45 can be fit right for her. You bring up one issue though, the brake levers were on the edge of her hand reach. She could only reach them with her last (first) knuckle. I wouldn’t want her hand to slip off in a panic stop.
J
Figure out a way to get her on a Reno, then get Bunnyman or ZeGopha to find a way to apply an all color portrait of Jean Reno somewhere visible on the frame.
Ziva-The toptube on the 45 Reno is 48 (488mm), much shorter than the 49 Bianchi.
Jean Reno photo on the bike, it would smell like cigerette when it went by just from the picture. He’s a great bad guy.
J
Absolutely perfect.
49women’s. my gf was about 5 minutes away from purchasing it until we realized the LBS screwed up the order. She specifically asked for a double chainring (came triple, and only available as triple) and they ordered the wrong size (we waited 3 weeks for it to come in).
Anyway aside from the bad experience with this LBS, I have to say that it sounded like a great bike. The top tubes were available in shorter lengths, the crank was available in shorter length, the handlebars were narrower, the stem is shorter etc. Its too bad we went through so much crap to get it.
JohnG, your wife sounds very close to my size. I’m in the market, too, and it’s VERY frustrating/difficult to find bikes in the sizes you are talking about. Everyone wants to sell you a crappy bike they’ve had around for a few years in the back room that they can’t get rid of b/c it’s so small. I’m 5’0", 95 lbs. Need a TT of 47-48. I’m looking to go the custom route, but you may want to check the Trek WSD line (as someone mentioned), also Cannondale and Specialized run very small. And Terry, also. Good luck!
5’0’’ and 95lbs??? is that the titanium thing that helped you get down to that weight? 
5’0’’ and 95lbs??? is that the titanium thing that helped you get down to that weight?
Yeah, who needs a femur anyway? they’re WAY over-rated. i upgraded that part about 5 years ago. went with high-end titanium. while they were at it, i had them take out most of my right fibula, too, but that’s so little it doesn’t make much difference. i’m not sure what’s next, but i hear that celebs get ribs removed all the time. and i probably don’t need both kidneys…