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I want to build my wife a hardtail mountain bike. Hence I can mix and match components, so I need all sorts of recommendations. Such as:
What frame (rack, crud catcher mounts preferred)
Wheel size for a 5'2 lass?
What shifters and brakes are good for small hands?
In know it's subjective, but what saddle?
Any help appreciated. A bike I want to build for the spring.
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New or used? Could be a good time to source a 26'er.
Ive got a set of avid db3 brakes ive kept for when I build up my boys first disk braked bike as the reach can be adjusted so they are super close to the bar, so great for little hands. Maybe have a look on bike discount they usually have cheap cube frames and 14" 650b frame would probably be spot on
EDIT : eg https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-acid-27.5-frame-grey-n-flashorange-579254/wg_id-276
TBH, I've sold lots of bikes to 5'2" women and none of them had issues with standard brake/gear levers on an MTB (road STI's can be a problem).
Wheel size; I wouldn't go near 26" these days. 650B will be fine.
Frame; rack fittings are a lot less common now. Many of the "euro" brands will have them though - Cube being an example. I'd also go for aluminium and not steel as smaller people appreciate the weight saving.
It would be worth looking around to see what complete builds you could find as you'll often get a better deal that way.
Edit: £60 for that Cube frame linked above. Snap it up!!!
She needs to demo some bikes to see what sort of geometry she gets on with. I'm about that height, but I don't get on with a lot of women specific bikes because the top tubes are too short for me. I don't get on with even the smallest sizes of bloke's bikes in some brands, due to standover. I tend to struggle with 29ers,again due to standover (the top tube has to be pretty high at the front to accommodate a longer fork).
Grips and levers I've never really had any issue with, but I have got very long fingers (but narrow hands!)
Quite a few demo days kicking off next month, I believe.
Buy a whole bike with good spec for £390 (before you consider British Cycling discount or cashback)?
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/laura-trott-mtb-1-womens-moutain-bike
Consider running 26" wheels in a 27.5" frame, with the shortest cranks you can find.
Sram do the Nx cranks in 155 which would be good.
155mm NX cranks is a good call! It makes such a difference to fit if you can lower the bottom bracket on a smaller person's bike - easier to get on and off, easier to touch the floor, greater stability (note smaller bikes are shorter wheelbase).
I doubt many 5'2 women have the mass to notice the difference in frame feel between steel and alloy but I suspect most would prefer the lighter alloy frame. Not sure about the choices with rack etc fittings as I'm usually more interested in hardtails for gnarlier riding!
That Laura Trott bike - if the sizing is Ok when she tries one - looks an absolute bargain.
If you don't need suspension, then MrsMC - a mighty 4'10" tall - has a Pinnacle Kauri, with lots of room to raise the seatpost. 1x9, hydraulic discs, plenty of light 26" wheels on Ebay to upgrade for her birthday
Budget?
Type of riding?
New or second hand?
My wife is the same height. She rids a bird tr xs which fits her nicely.
Brakes etc can all be adjusted to suit riders hands. You will probably need to saw a bit off the bars as well.
Crank length isn't just about leg size. It also about the way you ride.
As for saddle take her to a bike shop and get her backside measured.
Four women at work, heights ranging between 5'1" and 5'3", have each bought a Giant Tempt in XS size.
27.5 wheels, the bikes fit fine and so does lever reach.
Maybe Giant sell them as frame only?
Crank length isn't just about leg size. It also about the way you ride.
I'm curious what you mean by that?
My wife is 5ft1. She had an xs cotic bfe before it got nicked and with 100mm fork on that she absolutely ripped!
She's now on a 15" dialled bikes prince Albert and finds the reach a touch long but still really rates it.
I'd stay 26 and second hand if it were me, the extra weight of 650b tyres makes a difference in my opinion and at that size and weight it's a bigger difference.
Slight hijack and I know you said you are looking to build, but, I'm shifting my friends xc bike.
She is the same height and finds it spot on. It's a pretty good custom build.
If you're interested, feel free to drop me an email and I can give you full details.