Looking For A Small Bike...

[KAREND]

Hoping someone can offer advice. Rode L'Eroica last weekend on a borrowed bike. Now looking for a pre 1987 bike - only problem being I'm 5'1" & don't do 'ladies frames'! Not much out there - any suggestions?

 

[raleighnut]

Hoping someone can offer advice. Rode L'Eroica last weekend on a borrowed bike. Now looking for a pre 1987 bike - only problem being I'm 5'1" & don't do 'ladies frames'! Not much out there - any suggestions?

There may be a smaller bike or 2 in @biggs682 shed looking for a new home, he'll be along soon now.

 

[Tony Raynor]

They do come along but not very often. You will be better looking for a frame and then building one up to your own spec. What size frame are you actually looking for? I'm guessing 19 or at a stretch 20" frame.

Shame as I sold a nice Reynolds 531 20" frame last week. I'll keep an eye out in case anything pops up in the north.

 

[Tony Raynor]

Not Reynolds but this might interest you. Looks in reasonable condition.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221809357510&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[biggs682]

Hoping someone can offer advice. Rode L'Eroica last weekend on a borrowed bike. Now looking for a pre 1987 bike - only problem being I'm 5'1" & don't do 'ladies frames'! Not much out there - any suggestions?

@KAREND the smallest i have at the moment is this http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/r...-commuter-or-touring-ideal-student/1122655515 but i think it would be to big , but if local feel free to pop in and try

 

[Tony Raynor]

Just another thought and it can bring other problems but you could get a bigger frame and put 650b wheels on. Think it may drop overall height by around an inch and a bit. Downside is brake reach.

 

[stevevw]

How's this?
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=320812

 

[Tony Raynor]

@stevevw that is one smart bike. Really can't fault that if they have the money.

 

[KAREND]

@stevevw Wow! Looks just the job - thank you! Going to check it out.

 

[KAREND]

Big thank you @stevevw - I bought the small Benotto advertised on Retrobike that you brought to my attention - it's fantastic! Thanks again.

 

[Tony Raynor]

@KAREND well done, I'm sure you'll love it as it looks absolutely fantastic with great gear

 

[stevevw]

See you next year at Eroica, in the beer tent.

 

[TheCyclingRooster]

Hoping someone can offer advice. Rode L'Eroica last weekend on a borrowed bike. Now looking for a pre 1987 bike - only problem being I'm 5'1" & don't do 'ladies frames'! Not much out there - any suggestions?

Hi Karend. I have only just tuned in to this thread - did you find what you were looking for ?
What is your chosen frame size and does it have to be a ladies specific frame ?

There were ladies frames made in the 60's,70's and early 80's but they were often made by specialist/bespoke builders such as Harry Quinn,Walvale Cycles and several others.

 

[cisamcgu]

Big thank you @stevevw - I bought the small Benotto advertised on Retrobike that you brought to my attention - it's fantastic! Thanks again.

I think she bought one last July, and a lovely one it looked too

 

[TheCyclingRooster]

I think she bought one last July, and a lovely one it looked too

Thank you. I did wonder - I hope that it was a genuine Italian frame and not a Mexican one. So many people out there are advertising Benotto without a clue or just simply keeping schtum and trying to off-load a lemon.