WTD : practical modern bike for my little sister in Hackney - commuting & light touring (5ft8") - Surly Thorn Kona etc

Has anyone got a decent modern-ish bike for little sister?

She lives in Clapton Square and is currently commuting on a vintage French Mercier thing that is very cool but totally impractical. I think she even rode it round Sicily a couple of years ago.. But the time has come for something sensible/practical..

All ideas/sugestions/offers welcome..

she is 173cm and thinks 56cm is what she's after..

Her partner has just got a used Jamis bike (which cost about £400) and made her realise that she is suffering unnecessarily for her pretty pink steed..

What you got?

Surly Trucker - Thorn - Genesis (?) - Jamis - Kona Sutra?

(Picture is for reference only, so you can feel her pain..)

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Got nothing for you but in terms of sizing, I'm 185cm and riding a 55cm Genesis...
56 is my preferred size

ok, thanks Phil, so 56cm might be too big on a modern ride... ta

Smaller might be better purely for stand-over reasons. Traditional geometry like the one shes on now tended to have not much seatpost on show and higher stems
Maybe something 54-56 with compact geometry would be a good start

perfect, valuable info. much appreciated x

Bump - bike wanted please...

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Thanks mr bump.. she's not really feeling that, but appreciates the offer.

Any one else?

No, but 56cm is pretty big for 173cm. I'm male and 2cm shorter, but ride a 51 (longish top tube, 53?) and 52. Everyone's different of course but maybe have a go with an online fit calculator, e.g. Canyon have one which takes inseam and arm length into account.

Cool, thanks jay, I'll pass that on..

Get thee to the thorn forum.

Good call! Thanks skully

Why not keep the pink and just upgrade some parts, can be cool and practical

Done that already, twice over the last 10 years.. once to make it single speed and then again to turn it back into a geared bike for touring. I really know this bike well: French threads, weird stem size, no bosses fir racks, funny simplex gear hanger.. etc

The time has come for a a change.

ladies tend to have longer legs for their height c0mpared to men, a 56cm isn't really that big at all for 173cm and would have being the default size BITD and a 56cm with a sloping top tube would be more than practical in this instance IMHO.
There's nothing wrong with having a small amount of post showing (as per the riders bike in the opening post) and a slightly larger frame means the front end will be easier to attain a more relaxed position hence longer head tubes on modern 'endurance' type frames.
I ride a 62cm traditional diamond frame as well as a 60cm CF and I'm 'only' 5ft 11 with a 32.5" IL.
As you say, everyone is different, just think dismissing larger frames on the back of what others ride is silly, especially considering the pink frame isn't exactly small.

Maybe this 54 cm Sportivo (Belgian brand is an option (I also think 56cm is too big for a 173cm rider). Beautiful colourscheme.
This Sportivo,Oria tubing, has a complete Shimano 600 with STI shifters equipment
Really great condition.

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I have the same leg length despite being a good 10cm shorter. I guess I have female geometry ;-)

Not a full bike but most parts for a very nice commuter / tourer. https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/304103/#comment13614795

I've got an original Cotic Roadrat, with OnOne Mary bars and a 1 x 9 setup, perfect commuter and towpath bike, but was also ridden to the Oktoberfest from London so a great tourer too! Can also run singlespeed and has front and rear bosses for panniers and mudguards.

Can post photos if she's interested, but looks like and other black Roadrat! The Mary bars are cut down for commuting, so it is perfect.

I recognise the bike...
Have a look at Ribble who are doing a canti cross/ tourer bike

Otherwise see if Planet X have any bargains . A kaffenback would suit her.
Lastly, Decathlon .... the Triban would suit her.