Ladies Road Bike Frames

[tjdixon911]

I'm looking to build up a road bike for the other half, to keep costs down (for her at least), my plan is to upgrade bits on my bike (Ridley Orion) and transfer the old bits onto her bike - it gives me the chance to upgrade my bike while keeping her happy at least!

Ive been searching for a small/x-small frame (she is 5'2") but there is very limited frames about that are female specific - is there much difference between male and female bikes? I have been looking at a Ribble Sportive / Planet-X frame but are these uni-sex? What else is there for under £200 pref with Forks?

Any help much appreciated.

[village idiot]

i'm doing just this at the moment.

if you hunt around ebay, you can occasionally pick up a giant wcr or similar for under £300. you can then swap out the crap parts for good parts.

alternatively, the tifosi ck3 frame comes in a small and can be bought for under £300.

my current course of action is to go for a BeOne Storm Comp which on clearance at chain reaction cycles for £500. this is an awesome deal (they also have a better-spec version from the previous year with Ultegra gears for only £600) and best of all, they have 40cm and 45cm frames in stock (compact geometry).

i've emailed BeOne to find out what size (40 or 45) is applicable for my other half who is 5'1"

[itsnotarace]

tjdixon911 said:

is there much difference between male and female bikes?

Generally speaking (as it depends on manufacturer) taller head tube, slacker headtube angle and a slightly longer wheelbase for added stability

[Captain Beaky]

It's probably worth getting your other half measured up, if you haven't already. Some women fit better on a "man's" frame, depending on relative leg and back length.

Also you might find your old bars are too wide and stem the wrong length but you can always change those later (Christmas or birthday ? )