What 26inch hardtail frame for 5ft 2in rider?

Girlfriend is keen to get a mountain bike after a (successful!) trip to Coed y Brenin.

I’ve got spares kicking around the garage for 90% of the bike, so just looking for a reasonably priced 26in frame in extra-small.

Currently thinking an Inbred, anyone got any alternative suggestions?
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOVDO126/on-one-inbred-26er-vertical-dropout

Or possibly the 456 (forks I have are 120mm, which should be fine on either frame).

One thing that worries me is that she’s right on the lower-end of On-One’s extra-small size and there isn’t an extra-extra-small.

Thanks!

There’s a cotic soul 16 inch frame on the for sale ads that mite be good for her

I’ve got a 16 inch 456 in pink going on the classifieds pretty soon.

Rock Lobster, has a short tt.

Edit: On-Ones have a long tt.

If you can find one, OnOne Scandal was available in 14″, 16″ could still work…can take a 120 fork and a damn sight lighter than the 456

You might find that dirt jump frames might be just about the right size, being 5’3″ I’ve had Commencal Absolut frames in the past and now have a Banshee Amp, perfect for all day rides for me.

CRC usually have some good deals on DJ frames, some of the colours are a bit in your face though!

Last two 2012 Soul’s with Hope headsets I bid on went for £180 and £245 ! A small might not fetch the same price but shiws you how popular they still are.

It’s a shame that On-One stopped doing their 14″ 26″ wheeled Scandal frames; my wife has one and it’s great.

There are a fair few 16″ options (I rate the Pipedream Scion at £250 for an 853 frame) but 16″ might be too large. CRC have 14″ Ragley frames but they all look pretty stiff and burly (and expensive).

You can buy 14″ carbon frames from Ebay if you trust them and Evans sell a look of small framed female specific full builds (Scott, Specialised, Trek etc.) but I don’t know if any are available frame only.

My findings as a serial frame swapper, I’m 5’5″ with very short body, long arms and legs.

16″ On-One 456 – tt too long and heavy.
14″ Inbred 853 – too small.
15″ Rock Lobster 853 – short tt.
16″ Soul – brilliant fit.

As mentioned earlier the Rock Lobster is definitely worth a look.

My own experience with selling far too many frames is that smaller sizes can be harder to shift therefore prices lower.

I’ve got a 2007 Commencal Absolut AL frame spare. It’s tiny, around 14″ or so and quite short. Sliding dropouts and no mech hanger though, but you can buy a mech hanger to fit the frame from Commie direct.

Thanks all, some good ideas. Will keep my eyes peeled for a 26 inch XS Cotic Soul in the for sale section. Don’t have much hope of a second hand Rock Lobster and Merlin don’t seem to sell them anymore.

Cynamon-girl, if you found a 14inch Inbred too small, maybe that’s an option.

Mrs_oab is rocking an old skool Cannondale F900SL – in women’s xs, or 12.5″……

As cinnamon_girl says, keep an eye out/wanted for a good one. be prepared to faff withn parts, but fit is most important – mrs_oab struggled with all her heavy, poorly fitting 14″ frames before.

You may find that a small Soul would fit, if you’re anywhere near Hampshire then I’ve a Simple (same geo) that could be sat on. Do a search in Classifieds, I’ve seen Rock Lobsters for sale.

I realised that On-One geo just isn’t right for me and found the paintwork to be rubbish.

Trek had some nice WSD frames, again keep an eye in Classifieds.

Decent wheels make a huge difference.

I got my mum a Kona Caldera, 13″ maybe? She’s 5 ft.

A mate of mine is 5’5″ and has a 14″ Inbred, my lad is now 5’8″ and is on a 16″ which he has only just grown to fit on properly – they are pretty long.

I had a thread running which seems to have vanished when I was looking for a bike for my wife who is 4’10”. Lots of suggestions about the XS Spesh, Trek, Marin options. Very rare that a decent spec bike comes up for sale in those sizes, but if you have the parts already, original spec doesn’t matter. (The fact that I haven’t got her anything yet is entirely down to her and not me or the bikes!)

Also a few decent 26″ wheeled bike available now being marketed as “kids” bikes, as they have that tiny weeny 26″ wheel thing going on.

Agree that lighter wheels and tyres will make a huge difference to how any bike feels. And after some bargain hunting on here, a pair of Easton Carbon bars (£20!) and an old carbon seatpost of mine knocked almost 500g off the weight of my lads Inbred,

My GF is 5’2″

A ‘Petite’ Cannondale hard tail was too short.

She now has a 14″ One One 456 and it is bob-on.

If she doesn’t mind the rock solid rear end, look at 4x frames. Like DJ frames they are often quite small.

I’m 5ft 4″ and I’m on my 3rd Soul. love em 😀

5’5″ on a 15″ Rock Lobster.

Echo everything said above:
Small Souls are lovely, Rock Lobster shorter but handles beautifully with a 90mm stem.
16″ Inbred just felt a bit big.

Step daughter is 5’5″, has a 14″ Inbred I’m sure your GF could try if you’re anywhere near Manchester.

I’m 5’5″ on a small (16″) Charge Duster. It has a very short top tube so might be ok for someone who is 5’2″. It also has a fairly steep head angle though, especially compared to modern frame geometry. There have been a few listed on here and ebay over the last 6 months or so.

Thanks again everyone, some really good ideas here. Will keep my eyes peeled on the classified section!

Located in Bedfordshire, so the offers of a bike to sit on are a little far away. Thanks though! 🙂

How about this?

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/marin-rocky-ridge-small-frame-2013-11186-p.asp

Sorry just seen it’s sold out 🙁

Saracen Zen A bit overpriced at £100

Or Cove Stiffee Not sure if dimensions suit but bargain IMO

You quite often see very little used small or XS bikes, might be less hassle if there is one locally.

another vote for 15in Rock Lobster.
I’m 5’4″ with 30in inside leg and I definitely wouldn’t need to go any smaller.

for comparison my other bikes are a 16in GiantXTC and an OnOne456.

Specialized do the myka in xs fairly light Ali hard tail.

We have one in our house that fits people at 5’1″ and a bit smaller too

I have a 16″ Carbon Whippet frame for sale, my son who is 5’2″ was using it with a 60mm stem, and a 100mm dropper, would sell it for £150 posted (including headset and bottom bracket. Have lots of other bits if required.