650c wheels bicycle (for 5'3 and under)

if you feel you need a more upright stem, try a shorter one and see how that feel.

upright stem will bring the handlebar closer but only a tiny bit whether a stem 1cm shorter will have a noticeable difference, however I assumed the stem is already way too short as it is?

Ed, I was thinking I'd like to be a bit more upright (and, therefore, more visible to drivers) in London traffic given my titch height. The stem the bike came with is fine I feel, I'd just like it angled upwards a bit more. Maybe it's the headset that needs to be a bit longer?

When I tried adding spacers, I could only get one extra added, putting another one meant I couldn't attach everything together.

Who said cycling was cheap? :-).

Have you tried flipping the stem around (which should point it more upwards?)

To be honest, an extra inch handlebar height won't make you any more visible to drivers -- try a long blonde wig.

@ smaryka LOL - You know, I was thinking that last summer, along with wearing a dress or a skirt, but decided I'd have to cycle too slowly and that irritates me unless I'm in traffic. Not that I'm actually fast, but I like to think I'm not too slow, if that makes sense - lol.

One of the first things I did when I got the bike was to flip the stem.

Whilst I post here it occurs to me that while I never think of my shortness off the bike, I worry about it on the bike, despite ensuring my road positioning means I am as visible as I can be without causing obstruction. Maybe I should worry less and enjoy more :-).

I'll think about this whilst cycling home this evening to 'nail' what concerns me or whether I'm worrying too much.

Well there is research that shows that cars will give more room overtaking helmetless cyclists with long blonde hair than those with helmets, lycra, etc.

I see it myself all the time, local guys in jeans riding beat-up MTBs at 10mph are given a lot more room and respect than me (helmet, lycra, race bike).

To be honest, I think the only thing you can do is ride assertively and sensibly but defensively, shoulder-check a lot and be aware of everything around you, trust your instinct, avoid death trap roads and maybe get some off-road practice once in a while so you have the skills for last-moment crash avoidance and know how to fall properly if you do crash.

That and a bit of luck will go a lot further than raising your bars!

Ed, I was thinking I'd like to be a bit more upright (and, therefore, more visible to drivers) in London traffic given my titch height.

In all honestly, cycle training would make you feel more confident about being visible to other road user, a small increase in stem height will make you feel more confident, but as for being more visible, that's down to your road positioning rather than the slight increase in your height.

Both of you are right. I thought about how I cycled home earlier this evening and, road positioning, frequent shoulder checks etc gave me a better experience. Undertaking cyclists, on the other hand....... grrr. I've had a few cycle training sessions in recent years. Will seriously think about a 'refresher' in warmer weather.

Smaryka, I live in Balham, the only off-road experience I'm likely to get is riding through Tooting or Clapham Commons :-).

i heard you about undertaker, it's frustrating but on the other hand they're not doing it out of malice, just that they're doing it because TfL tell them to.

I lived in Wimbledon and if you like i can able to give you a refresher, free as I need more experiences to be accredited (still provisional).

Ed, thanks for the offer. I'll def take you up on it - free or paid - but when the weather is warmer (for me). So that would be about Easter time (reminder now on noticeboard).

Hi my daughter: 17 years , 5ft 2" and not likely to grow much, wants a new bike for her birthday. She rides 26" wheels on her pashley type roadster but now wants some thing faster for her birthday.

Wanda, the fuji track looks just right for her . Can I check if you are a similar size to her .

And whats the Fuji like for longer rides? Had you thought about a Pompino at all?

Thanks in advance...

Hi Peter.

Your daughter is taller than I am :-). I'm 4'11 but, for me, the reach was the most important thing (45-47" or so) as I can always get a longer seatpost, which I've done for this bike and my road bike. The longest ride I''ve used the Fuji for has been to Southend and it was fine. I use it as a singlespeed as I love freewheeling :-).

Never thought about a Pompino as I assumed it was a 'standard' size which means the reach would be too long for me.

My Fuji is the children's version, not the adult one and it's currently on sale in Evans.

Peter, I'm 5'2" and ride the smaller Fuji (with 650c wheels, like Wanda's -- marketed as the child's version). I quite like it for city riding mostly because the small wheels mean no toe overlap (important for riding fixed!) which I have on my 700c bikes.

Stem and seatpost can be adjusted +/- a few cms to get a proper fit for reach and height. It's quite a nice little bike for the price, not many SS/fixed bikes out there for smaller folk.

I've taken it out on flattish longer rides and been fine.

Thanks , your posts are all most helpful. I am going to check her measurements, but the 650cc looks like it should suit her.

I ll report back...

Peter I reckon you should go to a reputable bicycle shop and ask them to order in some 650c bicycle for her to try out, it may be worth doing in the long run.

Hi Peter,
I'm 5ft 1 but have long body and uber short legs. I ride an Isla Luath 700 (with no toe overlap). Also have a custom Hewitt frame with 650 wheels (also no toe overlap). I love both of these. I should also add that the lack of toe overlap on both these is probably due to be having teeny size 3 feet...
I definitely support Ed's suggestion of going into a reputable bike shop to get her fitted. I went to On Your Bike (london Bridge) and tried a whole load of them and they were really helpful there.

If you're anywhere near Kingston, she's welcome to give mine a try.

If you're anywhere near Kingston, she's welcome to give mine a try.

Likewise, if she's anywhere near Brixton/Clapham, then she's welcome to try out the Isla.
Just realised that it was you smaryka that I got the Isla from!

I should mention that whilst I am proud that she wants a bike, almost as proud of her as when she was ketlled in Whitehall, we are working to a budget here..

Yes, the Isla and the Decathlon's will be considred

Thanks for all the advice so far...

Brought one for the delightful sum of £200 from ebay..

Now to be delivered to her grandparents , where it can stay till next month and the actual birthday.. She may then appear on here some weeks later.

Thanks for the advice

Brought one for the delightful sum of £200 from ebay..

Now to be delivered to her grandparents , where it can stay till next month and the actual birthday.. She may then appear on here some weeks later.

Thanks for the advice

What did you get in the end, Peter?

Woop, she's a Feb girl. Yay!!!

Wot LH said :0).

Sorry,it was the Fuji Track. More news after the 15th of February...

Excellent choice sir :-).

Bike out of the box and being built up whilst my daughter is out ...

About to search in my parts box for brakes. Any recmendations for levers for smaller hands?

And what's the drop on the brakes any of you use ? 41mm to 57mm?