Hello bikers! Newbie confused about bike size
Hello forum members, this is going to be my first ebike. The problem - I'm really short :-), just 5'0". I have decided to go for Specialized Turbo Vado 4. And, according to Specialized size chart, I belong to S category. My question - does anybody have Specialized ebike S size and how's the experience with it? Am I too short for riding a bike? I don't like to waste $4000 on ebike. :-) Thanks!
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I would go to a Specialized dealer and try on a bike in that size. It doesn't have to be an Ebike. On E bikes size isn't s critical as on a pedal bike. You can go more for comfort than aero or pedaling efficiency. In your case your feet need to reach the ground when stopped (you may need to lean the bike some, this is normal). For street riding on an Ebike being able to reach the bars while sitting somewhat upright is good. That bike is a hardtail (no rear suspension). You might see if there is room to add a Thudbuster ST, or SubtourNCX suspension seatpost later on. Ebikes encourage longer rides, and many of us here use those. But there are sprung saddles also. You may want to ask if 165mm cranks are available. There is a tendency for all bikes to come with 170mm. IMO Specialized should do this on their S frames already. They're not a budget brand. You didn't tell us much about age, terrain, and intended use of the bike.
FWIW Nairo Quintana one of the big guns at the Tour DeFrance is 5'3". he may not be the smallest.Last edited by Retrorockit; 01-18-2023, 08:22 AM. -
You are not too short for riding a bike, but I highly recommend finding a bike shop that can help you find the correct size for the type of riding you want to do. The stand over height on the small Turbo Vado 4 is 735mm. That's the distance from the ground to the top tube/crossbar. Compare that to your inseam measurement. Not all bike manufacturers use the same dimensions, so you might find a better fit with another company.
I always have my seat up in a position for most efficient pedaling and slide forward and off when I stop. However, last year I put a dropper seat post on my bike and with a push of a lever it drops so my feet are on the ground. The main reason I added it though was for a lower center of gravity when riding down hill on trails.Comment
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used to think "droppers" were the silliest thing, specially with the outrageous cost....till I got one. really helps getting on and off the bike.Comment
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Do they make a dropper with a Thudbuster LT? No, I didn't think so. -
Ya someone does, can't find it at the moment. Pretty sure it was also carbon so hold onto your credit card when you see the price. Thought it was the only way to get a suspension dropper till I found the PNW Coast. Not the same geometry as a thudbuster but much more affordable.
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My seat is well into nosebleed territory due to a high crank height (good ground clearance)
But the frame has a really good standover height so even with my relatively short inseam due to my orangutan build (just shy of 6' but 30" inseam) and only having one leg it's no big deal... to me the seat height isn't terribly important as long as the standover area is low enough *and* sufficiently ample fore and aft
Lightening holes
Last edited by AZguy; 01-19-2023, 12:50 PM.Comment
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