| Title: | Bicycling |
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun |
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER |
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3214 |
| Total number of notes: | 31946 |
I have been shopping for a sport touring bike for my future wife.
(5/23/87 and no I'm not marring her just because she likes to ride
she is also a good cook.);-) She is not tall enough for a 19" frame
so I have been looking at 17 1/2" frames. A most peculiar thing
happens when frames get this small. The front wheel gets smaller
and the rear wheel gets bigger (as in TERRY style bikes). Or the
wheels are both 27" but the top tube is sloped a few degrees off
being parallel to the road surface. I know this is in order to give
the front wheel room one way or the other, and something to do with
frame geometry.
My question is which way is better? Does it make a difference
to a novice rider. I know it does in price. Any answers or
enlightenment in this area would be appreciated. Thanks.
Tom
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 259.1 | gospel, according to St. Georgina | EUCLID::PAULHUS | Chris @ MLO 8-3/T13 dtn 223-6871 | Fri Apr 10 1987 17:08 | 15 |
I've been to Georgina Terry's workshop at bike rallys 2 or 3
times, so I'll try to answer. The primary problem is that women's
proportions are typically different from men. The ratio of upper-
body lenght to height (or leg length) is smaller for most women
than for men. ie.: Two people of equal height, male and female
- the male will have shorter legs and a longer torso. This means
that on a given frame, you want a shorter reach to the handlebars
for a female rider. This means a shorter top tube length. This
brings the front wheel closer to the cranks, and the possibility
of toe-clip overlap with a turned front wheel. A smaller front
wheel is the only solution (while maintaining typical head tube
and seat tube angles). Sloped top tubes, mixte frames, etc just
don't address the whole problem: ya gotta get the front hub closer
to the bottom bracket! Something's gotta give, and it's the size
of the front wheel. - Chris
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| 259.2 | RICKS::SPEAR | The Culture Penguin | Mon Apr 13 1987 18:13 | 1 | |
also see note 232. | |||||
| 259.3 | Hard to find | MOSAIC::THOMPSON | Wed Apr 15 1987 20:59 | 11 | |
I am only 5.1 and having problems to find a bike that I feel
comfortable. Also, I don't know how to ride a bike but willing to
take my chances and learn. I was advised to buy a 17 1/2 frame
but 24' wheel bike (cheap one) until I feel comfortable then go
to 17 1/2 frame 27' wheel with 10 speed. Univega has two models
which fits the description.
Does anyone have cheap 17 1/2' ladies bike for sale?
Bahar Thompson
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