Another n00b who needs advice

Hi all,

I'm a complete n00b, so I implore you to go easy on me :-)

I'm 5'4" (164 cm), female, looking to buy my first SS/FG for commuting within central London. My current bike is a Trek 1200 road bike, 43 cm WSD (yes I know it's tiny, but what can I say, I'm a midget).

I don't want to convert this bike, I just want to get another one as cheaply as possible so that if -- god forbid -- it gets stolen, I won't be completely broken-hearted. I can spare the cash for a decent bike, but it seems a bit foolhardy to leave £450 parked on the street, even if I lock it up properly. (If you have any opinions on this matter, by all means, please express them...)

I've been stalking this forum for a couple days, and based on everybody's advice, I've decided buy something OTP or pay someone to build one for me.

Somebody at BLB was trying really hard to talk me into the Trek Soho. While it's the right price and has gotten good reviews, it's not as aesthetically pleasing as I'd like. If all else fails, I will put function over form and get it, but not until I've exhausted all the possible options for getting something with pretty colors :-)

Evans has one called Pinnacle Bachelor No. 1 on sale for £349 (originally £399). I've searched Google and this forum, but there aren't any reviews or opinions on this bike. Does anybody know anything about it?

Also... if anybody has time and used parts to spare, and is willing to build me something for me for £400 or less, please let me know.

Thanks all!

check the off the peg threads http://www.londonfgss.com/search.php?searchid=251112 loads of info in there for a midget in your predicament. ;)

also

http://www.londonfgss.com/search.php?searchid=251117

and there is one sticky thread on off the peg bike but i can't find it.

The other OTP thread's here I think.
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread5978.html#post175603

You guys are all SEXIST! How come all nice helpful and polite to this lady, yet we fry poor Seb? Memo to Seb, if you change your gender, everybody will be nice to you. I'm going to change mine tomorrow. I will also take up smoking, because smokers have more breaks at work than anybody else, and buy a Rolls-Royce Corniche Special Edition. All tomorrow.

cg5154, you don't fool me, I know for a fact that you're the robot relative of C3PO.

Seriously though, I hope you find the right bike for you. Welcome also.

Hi cg5154

You could probably get a basic spec IRO Heidi built up for that sort of price:

They are specifically for petit women and if they are anything like any other IRO's they will be bombproof!

You guys are all SEXIST! How come all nice helpful and polite to this lady, yet we fry poor Seb? Memo to Seb, if you change your gender, everybody will be nice to you. I'm going to change mine tomorrow. I will also take up smoking, because smokers have more breaks at work than anybody else, and buy a Rolls-Royce Corniche Special Edition. All tomorrow.

cg5154, you don't fool me, I know for a fact that you're the robot relative of C3PO.

Seriously though, I hope you find the right bike for you. Welcome also.

I was lovely to Seb!

I've got an old girls mtb fram knocking about that you cn have for nowt, is got horizontal dropouts so could be ripe for a conversion, has true wheels but they are 26" and obviously rear hub has nasty gear on the back, step through frame and its purple and silver.

would need a new rear wheel, new headset and new chainset really although you might be able to do a chop job. new stem bars and saddle and could be a dirt cheap job to get you on the road

is also midget friendly, just trying to clear some space in the garage so if there are any takers, pm and we'll arrange a pick up

+1 for the IRO. Good call dirkbang.

You guys are all SEXIST! How come all nice helpful and polite to this lady, yet we fry poor Seb? Memo to Seb, if you change your gender, everybody will be nice to you. I'm going to change mine tomorrow. I will also take up smoking, because smokers have more breaks at work than anybody else, and buy a Rolls-Royce Corniche Special Edition. All tomorrow.

cg5154, you don't fool me, I know for a fact that you're the robot relative of C3PO.

Seriously though, I hope you find the right bike for you. Welcome also.

Makes no difference at all. The questions (and questioners) were totally different.

Seb hasn't ridden for years, and was asking "should I ride fixed in SE london". CG5154 rides regularly and is asking "which bike do we recommend for a smaller rider"...

+1 for the IRO. Good call dirkbang.

Ta! Although I've just realised they are out of stock!

whooops!

You guys are all SEXIST! How come all nice helpful and polite to this lady, yet we fry poor Seb? Memo to Seb, if you change your gender, everybody will be nice to you. I'm going to change mine tomorrow. I will also take up smoking, because smokers have more breaks at work than anybody else, and buy a Rolls-Royce Corniche Special Edition. All tomorrow.

cg5154, you don't fool me, I know for a fact that you're the robot relative of C3PO.

Seriously though, I hope you find the right bike for you. Welcome also.

No just more time at the moment. How do you know cg5154 is a gril? Just because they sat that they are small does not mean they are a girl. Short men exist too.

Because she said:

Hi all,

I'm a complete n00b, so I implore you to go easy on me :-)

I'm 5'4" (164 cm), female,

Hi all,

I'm a complete n00b, so I implore you to go easy on me :-)

I'm 5'4" (164 cm), female, looking to buy my first SS/FG for commuting within central London. My current bike is a Trek 1200 road bike, 43 cm WSD (yes I know it's tiny, but what can I say, I'm a midget).

I don't want to convert this bike, I just want to get another one as cheaply as possible so that if -- god forbid -- it gets stolen, I won't be completely broken-hearted. I can spare the cash for a decent bike, but it seems a bit foolhardy to leave £450 parked on the street, even if I lock it up properly. (If you have any opinions on this matter, by all means, please express them...)

I've been stalking this forum for a couple days, and based on everybody's advice, I've decided buy something OTP or pay someone to build one for me.

Somebody at BLB was trying really hard to talk me into the Trek Soho. While it's the right price and has gotten good reviews, it's not as aesthetically pleasing as I'd like. If all else fails, I will put function over form and get it, but not until I've exhausted all the possible options for getting something with pretty colors :-)

Evans has one called Pinnacle Bachelor No. 1 on sale for £349 (originally £399). I've searched Google and this forum, but there aren't any reviews or opinions on this bike. Does anybody know anything about it?

Also... if anybody has time and used parts to spare, and is willing to build me something for me for £400 or less, please let me know.

Thanks all!

.

Brick.........WE LOVE YOU. C'mon, tell us another one.

Well if you expect me to read every word rather than every other word I suppose I may have picked that one up.;)

Good answer! Thats just what I would have said. Well, not really, because I read the odd AND even words. But my job's a doddle, so I can.

Anyway, I still say she's a robot.

Wtp.

high5

None gender biased.

cg5154, I've done a bit of checking, given the price point you gave, and your stature - the best I could find that fit your spec, was the Giant Bowery. It comes in an XS (extra small) size, wheras the Pinnacle comes in a Small, and thats it. I've got one of these, but bigger, and I love it, but another newbie just tried one and didnt like the width of the alu tubing. He had a preference for slim steel, so it wasn't for him. Thats the best I could do. I know Cannondale do a very small size in female frames, but I couldn't find the frame on its own, and the complete bikes are expensive.

HTFU! (had to put some balance back, stop this sexist nonsense - Seb change your name to a woman...... and come join some other forums with me ha ha ha)

Depends on you urgency. you might splash out £400 notes on an OTP and after 2 weeks get seriously hooked, realising you could have built a nicer ride (both in looks and build quality)

It would take you a good evening putting together a list of parts and costs (there are plenty of people on here that can help put it together) keep you eye on ebay/wanted-sale page and head to a jumble and you'll have the bits in no time.
Sheldon can shed a lot of light. i would also recommend trying other peoples bikes to get a feel

GrandeAnse - have you been at that little book of calm again?? ;)

Dammit. Sussed.

Hi CG5154,
Before buying why don't you come down to a trixie night (you guys knew it was coming) and try out a bunch of xs,s, and m frames. Get a better idea of what you're looking for.
It's not just about height, as I'm sure you know, for instance, I LOVE my bike and it 'fits' me perfect but I have long thighs for my height so skidding without getting them caught under the risers is tough. If I could have another inch in length I would take it.
You can try some OTP's and some bikes that we've built up and decide for yourself. PM me your email/phone if you're interested and I'll get you hooked up with the girlies.

Must not miss quote roxy, must resist.

concentrate..... mind out gutter..... concentrate....