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| *Vultures Knob>>>Schwinn Bike |
What size bike should a 5'2" female ride? |
I have an old schwinn and my back hurts when I ride and(sometimes hand tingles) - What bike would be good? I'm 58 years old and don't need to spend lots of money! I need a light one to carry up from basement. Bike fitting can be pretty in depth, but a good rule to use is to find your stand over height. You should be able to stand over the top tube with about 1 1/2" of space between you and the top tube. Women's Specific Design bikes are built with geometry that works best for the female proportions. You CAN ride anything that fits of course. At your height (depends on your inseam) you'll probably need a short bike. You get a better handling and proportioned bike with a smaller tire. I'm 5' - 6" and ride a bike with 26" tires. Most road bikes sold today by Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, etc, all use 700 cc wheels (a bit larger than 27 1/2") but do have some offerings with 26". Your hands hurt because there is too much weight on them. Raise the handlebars and you will move the weight to the saddle and your hands will feel better. Make small changes and see how they feel. Your old bike may be pretty heavy. A modern lighter bike will be easier to use, especially uphills. Look for a local bike club where people may be available to help you as well. Tailwinds! get a 24 inch bike. I am 5'11" and I use 26 The question you need to answer is not what size bike you need, but what kind. You need to go to a bike shop and learn about what types of bikes are available now. If your Schwinn is more than five years old, then a lot has changed in the casual riding market. If your Schwinn is more than 10 or 15 years old, then it is probably a comfort nightmare. What's changed? Bikes are way more comfortable (saddles, handlebars, and riding position have all changed). Bikes fit smaller people much better now. Gears and brakes work much better. If your goal is to do casual riding, then you should look into Sport Comfort bikes (that's a type, not a brand). They have very upright riding positions, nice cushy seats, easy to use gears and brakes, and they are easy to get on and off because they have "step through" frames (a lot like the older "women's" style frames). They are also stable on pavement gravel and dirt. They will be lighter than an old Schwinn. A basic one is under $300, and a basic one is all most people need. Find a shop that has that type of bike in stock, and try riding it. If you need a brand suggestion, I've found Raleighs to be a good inexpensive choice. Don't look for another Schwinn. They went bankrupt in the late 90's. Their name was sold to a company that makes cheap bikes for WalMart. Once you decide on a kind of bike, a bike shop can help you with the sizing. There is no generic size that will work for your height. It has to do with body proportions, flexibility, comfort, type of riding, and so forth. Even two identically proportioned people may not choose the same bike size. Also, there is no standard for fit between different manufacturers. One company's 50cm road bike may have smaller dimensions (reach from seat to handlebar in particular) than another company's 48cm. Check out the TREK Lime. They have made every attempt to address most of your concerns. My wife is 5' 2" and 58 years old. You need a more upright bike with a little suspension. It wont cost a lot. maybe a "comfort bike". go to several bike shops, go when they are not busy. maybe call first. go fo a shop with women or older people, not a kids racing shop. Or REI sports co-op. ride around a bit, at least 10 minutes. Check out the feet forward designs for ease of getting on and off. Try the Raleigh Gruv 2.0 http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?dept... |
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