Does size matter?

Just a quick question want to build up a cheap bike for my gf she's 5'7" so i think that is a 54 cm frame is this right?

does anyone have any help with this?
girls?

thanks

oohh also if anyone has cheap parts they want to get rid of they would be greatly appreciated

thanks

Length matters (ooo-er matron) as much as height so the top tube length is probably more important than the seat tube. As a general rule women tend to be shorter in the torso than men so a 54 cm frame may be fine on height but too long.

I'm happy to be corrected mind.

I'd guess a 52cm would give you the right fit window (I'm the same height and usually ride that size on horizontal TT frames). Remember if you end up needing a very short stem it makes the handling twitchier, and vice versa.

I ride a 54 which she's welcome to have a go on.

size would depend on the length of inseam, and do you mean 54cm c-t track frame or road frame? track frames normally have a shorter seat tube of around 1-2cm. also a slacker geometry will have a longer seat tube too.

i'm 5'9" my track frame is 52cm, road bike 54cm. winter hack conversion which is rather slack is 56cm.

i would generally think it's safer to go a little smaller.

thanks guys, may have to have a go on object's at some point or may just go a little smaller

You can't say, just given height, BUT IMHO I would guesstimate that 54cm is a little too big and I would be looking at 50-52cm. Really need to get her riding something to see what she feels comfortable on.

Size always matters, and any girl that tells you different is lieing...ha ha
I just double checked my Dolan and its actually 54cm from centre of BB to top of seatpost, I actually thought it was smaller....erm anyway its fine for me if a tiny bit too big. So 54cm might be fine but maybe get a slighlty smaller one or alternatively have some fun and games measuring her inside seam, its the length of her legs that count after all.
She can have a go on the dolan anytime

I'm 5ft8 and ride a 54cm Dolan from centre, but to top of seat stay it's 55cm - the TT drops, not totally horizontal(Twatster like...)
It's spot on for me, when I was looking to purchase, I was initially trying 51's and 53's but felt just a little too small.

Again it's all about the length of stem, what bars, height of seatpost etc.....

and be careful when people give out their measurements :)

You don't want someone claiming 54 C-C, when another is 54 C-T and yet another is 54 but has sloping top tube. Not all 54cm's are created equal :)

chandra Size always matters, and any girl that tells you different is lieing...ha ha

Size definitely matters and guys who tell you different are liars and have small ones. Bikes that is.

As usual you get all the proper advice here and good luck with getting the thing built. A bit of trial and error here, longer seat post there, eventually you will get the thing right and will be loved for it.

Oops!
Your height (in inches) divided by 3.1. That gives you your ideal frame size.

Size definitely matters and guys who tell you different are liars and have small ones. Bikes that is.

Really I meant penises ;)

Platini Take your inside leg measurement away from your height (in inches) and divide by 3.1. That gives you your ideal frame size.

Are you sure?

hippy [quote]Platini Take your inside leg measurement away from your height (in inches) and divide by 3.1. That gives you your ideal frame size.

Are you sure?[/quote]

I am now - edited...

Frame sizing

More here

Done and done my friend. I'll just modify the gear inches to something a little more suitable...

don't get too exicited object - we have to get her to agree to try it out - i would let her use mine but i haven't found any long enough leg extenders

@chandra - you're dirty and i love it

Platini [quote]hippy [quote]Platini Take your inside leg measurement away from your height (in inches) and divide by 3.1. That gives you your ideal frame size.

Are you sure?[/quote]

I am now - edited...[/quote]

First option gave me the right frame size.

If I took away my inside leg measurement I'd have a third less in the height inches giving me a tiny frame size outcome?!?

chandra Size always matters, and any girl that tells you different is lieing...ha ha
I just double checked my Dolan and its actually 54cm from centre of BB to top of seatpost, I actually thought it was smaller....erm anyway its fine for me if a tiny bit too big. So 54cm might be fine but maybe get a slighlty smaller one or alternatively have some fun and games measuring her inside seam, its the length of her legs that count after all.
She can have a go on the dolan anytime

the standover height is different though.. im pretty sure the dolan was a 51 C-C

glow [quote]chandra Size always matters, and any girl that tells you different is lieing...ha ha
I just double checked my Dolan and its actually 54cm from centre of BB to top of seatpost, I actually thought it was smaller....erm anyway its fine for me if a tiny bit too big. So 54cm might be fine but maybe get a slighlty smaller one or alternatively have some fun and games measuring her inside seam, its the length of her legs that count after all.
She can have a go on the dolan anytime

the standover height is different though.. im pretty sure the dolan was a 51 C-C[/quote]
yeah I thought it was 51cm, but the tape measure said 54, anyway I'm sure it has something to do with the geometry...bla bla bla stuff I don't know... listen to glow not me, it was his first.

IMH(male)O.. When you're already bigger than 50cm.. I really don't think another 3cm is gonna make or break a relationship.. ;)