Cycling for Noobs

88 watchers

MazH Jul 2020 2:12pm, 15 Jul 2020 10,852 posts	MazH and, without being trite, you are wee, and you might get a kids bike cheaper!!
larkim Jul 2020 2:14pm, 15 Jul 2020 11,529 posts	larkim How small? Sounds a very personal question, but one of my sons needs a lightweight but competent bike and his Hoy Bonaly 26inch rigid mountain bike is so much lighter / better value than the equivalent sized women's bikes that I could recommend it to someone of the right height!
larkim Jul 2020 2:15pm, 15 Jul 2020 11,530 posts	larkim (though it's still not cheap!)
PK Jul 2020 3:19pm, 15 Jul 2020 309 posts	PK Yep, hybrid sounds like the one. I had a Ridgeback for years which I loved, and then a Voodoo that I didn't.
Dvorak Jul 2020 3:43pm, 15 Jul 2020 20,212 posts	Dvorak HP, given that, even on women's hybrids, wheel size tends to be 700c/ 28", I wonder if getting a second-hand, decent spec 26" wheel MTB, possibly from the 00s or even the 90s!, and fitting narrower tyres might be an option? There may be even be similar small-wheel hybrids. Back in the day, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op did hybrid/city bikes like that. Having a quick look, I turned up this: gumtree.com not saying you should buy it (though aside from being a little ratty, it's not bad), but something along those lines. If you have a local bike recycling project, may turn up something there.
halfpint Jul 2020 4:19pm, 15 Jul 2020 31,754 posts	halfpint I’m only 4’10” and current bikes are 26” MTB with 14 frame (I think) and 600 (I think) road.
Corrah Jul 2020 5:08pm, 15 Jul 2020 5,777 posts	Corrah I am still shorter than you HP
Dvorak Jul 2020 5:09pm, 15 Jul 2020 20,218 posts	Dvorak Tiny bike club!
Gooner Jul 2020 7:39pm, 15 Jul 2020 16,910 posts	Gooner Maybe a gravel/hybrid with 650b wheels then? They should suit your stature a little better but still allow the flexibility you're after.
LindsD Jul 2020 9:30pm, 15 Jul 2020 38,974 posts	LindsD I love my hybrid