Frame/ bike for t'wife

[Russell]

Re: GT Zaskar 14.5" frame

At 5'3" a 16 is too big for your Mrs.
I have a 14.5" GT Zaskar frame, ball burnished finish and in MINT condition

Depends on the geometry. The seat-tube on an old school 16" such as a Zaskar measures 16" c-c and 18" c-t and has a 21.5" toptube. More modern geometry bikes such as a 16" Charge duster for example, has a shorter top tube (20.75") and the seat tube is measured 16" to the top (IIRC) so despite both being touted as 16", the more modern bike is a smaller fitting frame than the older one.

Its not as simple as it used to be

At 5'3" I would be looking at her reach (and thus top tube length ) being a more important measurement than seat tube to begin with.

Sorry, vaguely OT.

 

[Wold Ranger]

Size

GT change their sizing by the year! I have a 2000/2002 Zaskar LE race with all the cnc work and its badged a medium, yet the ctc on the seat tube is only 13.75 and the top ctc 20.75.
I would have thought at 5 - 3 she wants a 12 inch with the drop top tube like the Moto? or maybe a P2. You can buy a Cannondale F6 in small for about £345 brand new with Juicy 3 discs, thy're bout 12 inch ctc.

 

[GrumbleJay]

As a 5' 3" woman I can add that two other very important dimensions for me are the standover and suspension geometry. Modern frames allow for longer travel front suspension and therefore shove the front up which gives you a higher standover :cry: . this also gives a higher front end which is very annoying if you like a more retro low front end as I do. All in all I believe that older frame geometry's are better for small people !

 

[Wold Ranger]

Forks

I would only run 80 mm max travel forks also as a petite lady, just won't need 100 plus and as you say a short travel fork is ging to greatly reduce standover height!
I'm only 5-6 but have short legs, so know the importance of this!

 

[frogracer]

Re: GT Zaskar 14.5" frame

At 5'3" a 16 is too big for your Mrs.
I have a 14.5" GT Zaskar frame, ball burnished finish and in MINT condition

She'd love that... Please can you PM me the price?

NickD - I wondered if that was you. Swap for some tyres?