Bike Size

Visit your local bike shop. See what she can stand over and be comfortable. Start with the biggest bike shop you can find. One that has more size selection. Just to see what gets close.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Look 566 Rider [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Visit your local bike shop. See what she can stand over and be comfortable. Start with the biggest bike shop you can find. One that has more size selection. Just to see what gets close.

To the OP, please note that stand-over clearance is only relevant in the case where a person has abnormally short legs for their height and said person cannot stand over their bike without contact with the bike. The critical dimensions for fit are the top tube or virtual top tube length (and as a result, seat tube angle), head tube length, and height of the head tube above ground. While bike dimensions can be compensated for by using a different stem (different rise and/or different length), a different handlebar (different reach, drop, and/or position of shifters), different saddle setback, different seat post setback, and a few other component properties, it's best to find a frame that can come closest to the dimensions ( that I mentioned) best suited for your wife. Proper fit will not only contribute to determining your wife's comfort on the bike, it will help optimize your wife's performance on the bike and optimize her control of the bike.

Your wife should test ride bikes ( a bunch them if possible) the interest her. The vast majority of LBS allow and even encourage test rides. Please note that a proper test ride is not tooling around a parking lot. A test ride should be of significant distance/duration, long enough to reveal any issues or foibles of the bike. If an LBS won't allow a test ride, you should consider going to a different LBS.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Joe Cluley [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

We are new to cycling and i am looking for a bike for my bride. she is 5'4" tall so i am thinking 50 cm??? It seems hard to find anything smaller than that anyway.
Advice?
Thanks,

There is the view that you should buy the bike and find a bride that fits it, but it is too late for that now.

You need to be aware that there are many ways to measure a bicycle. Not all 50cm bikes will be the same size.

Check out "WSD" woman specific design bikes. Most major manufactures have woman's line bikes today. I know a few woman shorter than your wife that have perfectly fitted road bikes.