touring or cyclocross bikes for short women, must have drop handlebars, recommendations please!

[Suzannewithaplan]

as per the title, I have a road bike with thin tyres which I enjoy riding but I'd like to get something a little sturdier.
I'm a tad under 5'2" so really need a small frame, around 16 inches or less the choice appears to be rather limited when you are shorter:(
I know specialized have a good range of women specific frames but even they dont appear to have drop handle bars with thicker tyres.

What are all you other shorter women riding?

For touring I have a Revolution Country Traveller in the smallest size. It's not female specific, but I prefer the longer reach on a men's frame.

Specialized Tricross.

I'm 5ft2". Wanted a touring bike with drop bars and accessory brakes as well as the drop brakes.

Great bike. Can put racks on it. Go anywhere with the right tyres. Been down really rough bridle ways, etc.

I tried the country traveller and it was too big for me.

I also tried a Dawes galaxy and even though on paper it was a smaller size than the Tricross the reach was too much for me.

The other bike I considered was an Islabike. I know they're kids ones but they're great spec and they do a nice looking drop bar one. Too far for me to travel to see one.

Ooh, thanks I shall investigate all suggestions :o
The Specialized Tricross looks great but the smallest frame seems to be 46cm, I prefer a bit smaller but certainly worth looking into since you say it works for you Galaxy.

Think the Revolution Country Traveller would be a bit big for me:(

Cyclocross bikes for children any good?

Thanks yes I think I need to do a bit of research in the kids bikes area!

I always find it easier to buy men's bikes, they seem to have a greater range of sizes. Currently riding a Cannondale small men's which fits me well but that's an MTB. On the look out for a cyclocross too and having similar difficulties to you so will be keen to hear if you find anything good. I'm 5'4" so only a teeny bit bigger, still need a smallish bike.

Hmm, a 'small' man is typically about 5'5" isn't he? so I doubt any small men's bikes would fit me :(

Why are there so few smaller framed 'proper' bikes, so often when you look at the women's range the bikes are all step through and ladylike.

Are serious women cyclists really so rare??

There seem to be small road bikes and even mountain bikes but not tourers or cyclocross.

I suppose the numbers of short women tourers/cyclocrossers are so small to not make it worthwhile making them. Most women tourers will be tall enough for a mans bike. If there was a market they'd make them.

Islabike? One of the largest kid's cross bikes might work

Paul Milne does a 14" frame cross bike I'm
sure.

I 'm not tiny, but I have short legs for my height snd gave had trouble with off the peg bikes fitting me in the past. I got a custom frame audax bike a few years ago and love it!!! It was £100 more than an off the peg from the same frame builder, surprisingly cheap and money well, well spent. Might be worth considering.

Have you looked at Ribb

Have you looked at Ribble? I went to Uni with a tiny girl (4'11")who was into triathlon and she got her bikes from Ribble because they did proper size wheels (26") on a 14" frame. This was about 20 years ago though!!!! No idea of the range or sizes of Ribble bikes now though.

Also, an Italian brand, Scatto, who sell through Paul Milne are popular with teenagers on the Yorkshire C-X circuit.

I'd suggest the "small adult" Islabike Luath which can be used for cyclocross, so can take mudguards, knobbly tires and pannier if you want them.

Don't get hung up on frame size: ds is currently riding a 48cm Cannondale Caad8, which will apparently do him from about 5'1"(when he go it to till he is talker than me - 5'5" - with adjustments to the stem etc (he is currently about 5'3" or 4"). It's all to do with the geometry of the bike. His (Genesis) track bike is, iirc a 52cm

The Genesis Croix de Fer is my dream all purpose bike and starts at 50cm but is currently beyond my budget If the geometry is similar to their track bikes, that would fit a 5'2" person.

Best thing to do is to go to your Local Bike Shop as they'll give you good advice. But maybe I've been spoilt, as my LBS is Billy Bilsland's, which has been getting lots of great coverage during the Commonwealth Games !

Seeing all ds' mates from under 12 to 16 at cyclocross events on a range of bikes, not just Islabikes, means I'm sure you'll find something.

Lots of great suggestions, thanks!
Yes I need to get out and visit some bike shops :o

Also, search on "winter" bikes as well as they'll take mudguards and/or panniers.

I currently have a third hand Specialized Allez which is great.

I've seen a lot of the kids on Moda bikes - although not sure what they do touring bike wise.

In the last few years I've come to realise that cycling and cycle racing is big business as ds (only 13 ) gets into his racing. There is a massive amount of money spent even on the youngsters, so I'm sure that there are plenty of options for you - even if they're not so obvious at places like Halfords.

Remember as well to consider the Cycle to Work scheme if you are employed. Depending on how much you are paid, you can get up to 50% off up to £1,000 worth of cycling gear. And even if your employer is not currently part of the scheme, then a good LBS will set it up for them (at least, my one will )

Kids bikes certainly seem worth looking into Pretty!
My road bike and my MTB are both specialized.

I am self employed and work from home so ride to work is a non starter for me!

Any chance of you doing so of the (legal) things suggested here? singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/self-employed-and-the-cycle-to-work-scheme

I could justify the cost of 1 bike as a business expense, I genuinely do use it for work related errands.
but I'm not sure about buying a 4th bike :o

No.

Another vote for Specialized Tricross. I'm 5'2" and have a 49cm frame. I would have thought a 46cm frame would be too small for you but it may depend on your proportions. I'm long of leg and short of body. The Specialized sizing guide suggests 49cm frame for 5 - 5'3".

My other specialized bikes are the smallest frame and they feel right size wise.
My inside leg is 29, not sure if that makes me short of leg at 5ft 2?

I've learnt the cyclists' equation for the number of bikes you should have, which is n + 1 where n = the number of bikes you currently have

Yep, at 5ft 2" I've got a 29" inside leg measurement.

I currently have three bikes but reckon I'm actually at n+2.

I want a hybrid and a brompton. Actually I'd also like a suspension mtb as well. Mmmm and maybe a proper road bike rather than using the Tricross as one.

Go to your local independent bike shop and get measured up. They will recommend whichever bike best suits your measurements. Make sure you push for a 26" wheel. Good hunting.

Gosh I had always thought the equation was n = y + 2 .......