Buying a ladies road bike frame

PukkaStukka

With Christmas rapidly approaching and my wife perplexing over a lack of exercise, I'm toying with the idea of building her a bike as her prezzie. She's a tall lass, just under 6ft tall, so with that in mind, would anyone any recommendations for a suitable frame and where I can buy one for her? I've a nearly new Tiagra groupset and Easton wheels so all I need is frame only. Budget around €500

Thanks in advance!

nak

For that budget, something like Ribble or Planet X?

eeeee

Well there's no need to get a women's specific frame for someone of that height I would say, I think women specific designs are of more benefit to shorter people. I have regular frames and I'm 5'9 (and a half :pac:) and have no problems. Might work out cheaper than a WSD maybe? They seem to be more expensive in comparison to regular frames/bikes.

Tenzor07

WSD bikes are not for tall women, more for Average to smaller heights only..

fat bloke

Ah, nothing says I love you like second hand tiagra!

Don't mind any of that wsd crud. A lot of manufacturers just take their entry level bike, spray purple flowers on it, lash on a ladies saddle, and increase the price by 25 %.

Her height is an advantage in the second hand market. Should be a lot more choice out there in a 56/58 than the smaller frames.

Tenzor07

fat bloke wrote: »

Ah, nothing says I love you like second hand tiagra!
Don't mind any of that wsd crud. A lot of manufacturers just take their entry level bike, spray purple flowers on it, lash on a ladies saddle, and increase the price by 25 %..

New Tiagra is actually a lot better now, it's almost up to Ultegra standard..

As for WSD, women should have a read of this: http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/womens-fit.html

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

New Tiagra is actually a lot better now, it's almost up to Ultegra standard..

As for WSD, women should have a read of this: http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/womens-fit.html

Things have moved on a lot in bike fitting/manufacture since that article was written.

I'm 5'4 and only 1 out of the 5 bikes I own is WSD - my mountain bike - purely because that was the bike I liked most.

Alek

Once you need to find a bike for a 5'1 lady, you're glad there are women specific frames around. Only Giant Avails in XS were small enough for my wife, not even women specific Treks/Scotts/others... Otherwise she can only ride mixtes safely.

mp31

Does she want a bike?
Does she want a race bike?
Would she be happy at getting a (not new) bike for Christmas?

If YES to the above then continue for marital bliss :-)

Else If NO to the above then reconsider your current course of action

Qualitymark

How's about treating her to a bike fitting first, and then taking the advice of the fitter on frames?