Im looking for a bike for my sis, id like to get her started on a fairly cheap steel framed womens bike (i love steel, never ridden anything but...). Shes 5'2" with a 28.5 inseam (so she tells me). She loves to bike (or at least used to) and i remeber that jensonusa a few months ago had a great deal on a jamis but sadly i missed it. Any other ideas? I looked at the 15" phobia on universalsycles.com but was unsure about the standover or geometry. Im currently talking to a dealer in cali with a 13 inch bike witha 28 inch standover and a 20.5 inch top tube, do you think that would be a good match for her? The specs would be a good deal but im always looking for a great deal on a steel frame. Let me know if you girls have any suggestions about frame size, where to buy the frame etc... I looking for cheap cause im building it for her and i am a poor college student.

Im looking for a bike for my sis, id like to get her started on a fairly cheap steel framed womens bike (i love steel, never ridden anything but...). Shes 5'2" with a 28.5 inseam (so she tells me). She loves to bike (or at least used to) and i remeber that jensonusa a few months ago had a great deal on a jamis but sadly i missed it. Any other ideas? I looked at the 15" phobia on universalsycles.com but was unsure about the standover or geometry. Im currently talking to a dealer in cali with a 13 inch bike witha 28 inch standover and a 20.5 inch top tube, do you think that would be a good match for her? The specs would be a good deal but im always looking for a great deal on a steel frame. Let me know if you girls have any suggestions about frame size, where to buy the frame etc... I looking for cheap cause im building it for her and i am a poor college student.


I have a 14” Kona Explosif frame built up as an SS (it can either be geared or SS with their rear drop out design). I’m running it with a 100mm fork. It’s a sweet ride. She’s very close to my size with a slightly shorter inseam length so it should work for her.

Here are the key frame specs on the 14” Explosif

Tubing: Steel - True Temper OX Platinum
Head Angle: 69
Seat Angle 72.5
Top Tube: 21.5
Stand over: 26.4

Only down side is the color selection is really limited – BLUE!

Frame should run anywhere from $375 - $450, depending on who will give you a good deal on it. Someone may even offer a fully built version for a decent price.

it's funny how people like different sized bikes. i'm 5'2" as well, 28-29 inseam (not totally sure) and I ride the 16" unit (same frame as explosif).

the moral of the story - someone needs to ride a bike to see if it fits. the numbers don't tell everything.

it made me laugh, reminded me of something my sis would say!

it's funny how people like different sized bikes. i'm 5'2" as well, 28-29 inseam (not totally sure) and I ride the 16" unit (same frame as explosif).

the moral of the story - someone needs to ride a bike to see if it fits. the numbers don't tell everything.

Sweet another female SSer...

We also have a 16" Explosif frame in the garage. That one is built up as a geared commuter. It fits me too (with a shorter stem), but not as well as the 14" does with a 100mm stem. I wanted something that I could really maneuver under me so I went with the 14" for my SS. Of all the bikes I've owned the 14" Explosif is the only one that has fit me like a glove from day one.

Small people have it rough because rarely does any bike shop A) have your size in stock B) have any selection of anything is your size and C) have anything in your size built up for a test ride. Add that to the insult that you need a stool to reach anything in the upper kitchen cabinets and that people actually laugh at you when you break out said stool... nevermind... I digress. ;)

I would have recommended the Jamis Dragon frame that was on sale at JensonUSA. It is Reynolds 853 and it was a great deal ($315). I was able to snag a 13'' and am in the process of building it up.

I am sure someone here can be of better help.

kelly

Im looking for a bike for my sis, id like to get her started on a fairly cheap steel framed womens bike (i love steel, never ridden anything but...). Shes 5'2" with a 28.5 inseam (so she tells me). She loves to bike (or at least used to) and i remeber that jensonusa a few months ago had a great deal on a jamis but sadly i missed it. Any other ideas? I looked at the 15" phobia on universalsycles.com but was unsure about the standover or geometry. Im currently talking to a dealer in cali with a 13 inch bike witha 28 inch standover and a 20.5 inch top tube, do you think that would be a good match for her? The specs would be a good deal but im always looking for a great deal on a steel frame. Let me know if you girls have any suggestions about frame size, where to buy the frame etc... I looking for cheap cause im building it for her and i am a poor college student.

My wife has a 14 inch 2000 kona lava dome. It's not been ridden too much. She has another bike. We can let it go if you are interested. Email us at hammer_race@hotmail.com
Here is 200 lavadome link http://www.konaworld.com/2k_xch_ld.cfm

jenson has interloc 15inch reynolds frame at $299. It's a very sweet frame.

Im looking for a bike for my sis, id like to get her started on a fairly cheap steel framed womens bike (i love steel, never ridden anything but...). Shes 5'2" with a 28.5 inseam (so she tells me). She loves to bike (or at least used to) and i remeber that jensonusa a few months ago had a great deal on a jamis but sadly i missed it. Any other ideas? I looked at the 15" phobia on universalsycles.com but was unsure about the standover or geometry. Im currently talking to a dealer in cali with a 13 inch bike witha 28 inch standover and a 20.5 inch top tube, do you think that would be a good match for her? The specs would be a good deal but im always looking for a great deal on a steel frame. Let me know if you girls have any suggestions about frame size, where to buy the frame etc... I looking for cheap cause im building it for her and i am a poor college student.

the phobia has the exact same geometry as the khs team ht frame. i can tell you its a quality frame with excellent xc geometry. i have one as does my wife, and the price is unbeatable. i too love the feel of steel, i have a jamis dragon,voodoo bizango,and the phobia or "zero flux" as it was called when i purchased mines. all are steel, yeah baby!.