Looking to buy a decent 2nd hand bike for my 5ft2 GF

[ChrisF]

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Edited September 21, 2022 by ChrisF

[ChrisF]

On 9/21/2022 at 1:48 PM, dasilvarsa said:

I Actually Saw a 1973 VW Beetle Yesterday.

Tons of 26er Are Still Around but I have not Seen One at the Track for a While.

Mainly used for Commuting and Kids Bikes.

The Only New 26 Inch Bikes you get are at the SuperMarkets Game and Makro. (Low End)

Major Manufacturers like Merida and Spez and Others don't make them anymore.

I still got one but I don't Ride It anymore as It feels Weird.

I would not advise anyone to buy one for MTB Use on the Track.

To Ride around the Hood it's OK.

 

When you buy a new car, you see a lot of them ...

 

With Maritz riding 26" we see a LOT of them at the trails.

 

Sure, many kids.  But also MANY shorter ladies ride 26", and when you talk to them they are not interested in a 29" bike.  (pretty sure they may well change their tune if they get the opportunity to ride a XS 29")

 

 

There certainly is still a very active group of riders on 26" bikes 

Edited September 23, 2022 by ChrisF

[RobertWhitehead]

I would not suggest that a tall person, taller than let's say 1.7 go for a 26er, but, a shorter person in my view will be more comfortable on either a 27.5 or 26er. I do have plenty of 26er parts still, I even have a 26er saddle for @ChrisF🙈

[ChrisF]

Bit of a tangent .... certainly applicable to the smaller riders.

 

Saddles are a VERY personal item, and what works for the one may not work for as well for the next.

 

But most agree "sit bone width" is the starting point of finding the correct saddle.

 

 

We most certainly had a LONG search to find a "junior", i.e. narrow, saddle when we build up the Mongoose.   Found a shelf full of "junior" Giant branded components at Bike Addict, with the perfect saddle for Maritz.

 

 

Such a wide selection of saddles for "adults" .... but very few options for junior sizes.

[dasilvarsa]

You get 29er in XS Size Which is a Good Fit for Short People.

Wheel Size Does Not Make a Difference Frame Size is the One to look At.

I thought you Guys Knew Better.

[RobertWhitehead]

9 minutes ago, dasilvarsa said:

You get 29er in XS Size Which is a Good Fit for Short People.

Wheel Size Does Not Make a Difference Frame Size is the One to look At.

I thought you Guys Knew Better.

Of course wheel size makes a difference, I will allow you a moment.......

[Steady Spin]

2 hours ago, dasilvarsa said:

You get 29er in XS Size Which is a Good Fit for Short People.

Wheel Size Does Not Make a Difference Frame Size is the One to look At.

I thought you Guys Knew Better.

Have to agree with you there. Wheel size doesn't make a difference to how a bike fits if the frame size is correct and the contact points are in the right place. 

Wheel size makes a difference to bike handling though. Acceleration and cornering for example. But to be dead honest... it is minimal. And a rider that is going at it for the first time they won't notice. 

Too many posts in this thread getting way too technical. 

Edited September 23, 2022 by Steady Spin

[PhilipV]

2 hours ago, dasilvarsa said:

You get 29er in XS Size Which is a Good Fit for Short People.

 

Actually they are not a good fit. And they look like a dog trying to take a dump to get around the added stack height problem of the bigger wheels, with the terrible stand over height to go with it.

2 hours ago, Steady Spin said:

Wheel size makes a difference to bike handling though. Acceleration and cornering for example. But to be dead honest... it is minimal. And a rider that is going at it for the first time they won't notice. 

Too many posts in this thread getting way too technical. 

Right on!

 

I've coached enough school kids and ladies that I can confidently state that a 26er is a great bike to start with for a short person.

Edited September 23, 2022 by PhilipV

[ArtemisGoose]

My 10cents worth:

I'm a 1.6m short lady and I ride a 27.5" size SMALL. I've owned a 26er, 27.5, and 29er. My thoughts on the different wheel sizes:

26er - great starting wheel size for beginner MTBers. Can get a little sketch when you get into more technical riding

27.5 - This is my happy place. It's faster rolling than the 26er but not as exhausting to get going as the 29er. Nimble around corners and super fun on the technical terrain. 

29er - Felt like a bus. Always felt completely wiped after a ride on single track. Getting that thing to turn was ugh. Handling just never felt great.

[RobertWhitehead]

So if the OP eventually comes back to this thread I have 26er (HT and dual sus), 650B & 29er all in a size S. 

I am finishing the 650B over this weekend and will be listing it soon. It is going to be a decent build: 

Momsen 650B frame

Shimano MT500 wheels

Maxxis tires

A newly serviced Fox fork with black anodised stanchions 

SRAM GX 1x11 

SRAM XX1 brakes 

Crank (still have to decide).