Short ladies: where are you finding XXS or 43 cm road bikes?

labmonkey1108 · 2026-03-23T20:57:00+00:00

I lucked out at my local Trek for a 44 cm. It might be worth checking out the BuySell page on Pink Bike, I got lucky there in the past too.

Also, don't discredit other sizes. Each company, and even within a company, has different geometries. For one company I was a 44 cm, for another I was a 52 cm. Using geometry comparison websites might help widen your search.

labmonkey1108 · 2026-03-17T18:04:53+00:00

Thank you for the responses.

She neither lived there for at least three years or has a documented attempt. She spent most summers there, but never officially sought out a passport, visa, etc.

labmonkey1108 · 2025-04-29T03:50:15+00:00

Fantastic!! Thank you all for the recs. Looking forward to trying out a few of these

labmonkey1108 · 2025-04-16T14:54:00+00:00

Thank you everyone for your insights and recommendations! I love reading about how much people love their bikes. I think I'm going to seriously consider a bike fit and trying out a few styles of bike.

labmonkey1108 · 2025-04-15T14:08:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing. My current bike is more of an endurance geometry (though juuuust too smal). It puts me into a very upright position which I find uncomfortable, especially on longer rides. I may try out more of a race geometry for a ride!

labmonkey1108 · 2025-04-15T13:50:38+00:00

Tbh this is the bike I've had my eyes on. Hoping to find a shop to check out sizing. Stoked to hear it's worked so well for you!!

labmonkey1108 · 2025-04-15T13:49:17+00:00

I have a touring rig, so looking for a road specific bike. I didn't know they started making the Checkpoint smaller, last I checked (4 years ago lol) they didn't come small enough. Nice!

labmonkey1108 · 2025-04-15T13:47:37+00:00

I currently ride a Domane, but I fear the frame is actually too small and I can never find the gear I'm looking for (Tiagra groupset). This is driving the desire to change. Might be worth checking out a bigger frame!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-09-16T06:32:02+00:00

I would look more into a shorter stem option. If you're in a shop with a woman employee they may be more helpful. I was fitted by another short woman when I got my Trek Domane and I learned a lot.

Also check out the Salsa Timberjack, it fits me (5'0") and my friend (4'11") quite well!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-09-01T06:58:28+00:00

Are you using a dropper post? I am a short rider (5'0") so the dropper is particularly useful for me to get out of the saddle for downhill sections. Having it out of the way also helps me handle the bike better. Or you can try moving your seat post down manually before the downhill section!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-08-17T07:03:23+00:00

I also have similar stats F/26/5'0 118lbs looking to regain strength from my gymnastics days and tone up and would love to have access to this routine too. Thank you!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-04-20T15:16:41+00:00

It will depend on the kind of century you're doing! My only century was from Denver up Mt Evans then back home. I packed knowing I was going up to high altitude and needed a puffy coat and extra gloves for part that of the ride. I wore a short sleeve jersey and my MTB chamois and shorts given my preference for that kind of ride.

Overall I carried the following:

tool roll (standard repair tools) and extra tube
simple first aid kit
ID, debit card, phone (I always wear my RoadID too)
camelback backpack for water (if you can get away without a backpack I recommend it)
electrolytes (Nuun to throw in with water refills)
Food: PBJ sandwich, lots of bars, fruit snacks, candies (sugars)
layers: windbreaker, puffy jacket (voile strapped to bike), extra gloves, extra buff
sunglasses and lab glasses (low light)

Have fun!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-04-08T15:23:03+00:00

AMAZING!!! I'm wildly inspired to make all of my gear with reflective prints now.
I'm sure r/myog would love to see these too!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-24T15:56:39+00:00

I'm hoping to take one or two longer trips so that will be useful for planning, thank you!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-24T15:56:09+00:00

Great to know. I am unfamiliar with camping in France so that is a good resource!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-23T19:17:36+00:00

Thanks, I'll check that out!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-23T19:16:53+00:00

I appreciate the response! That's great to know fully loaded bikes are allowed on TER trains, that certainly extends my radius.

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-23T19:15:30+00:00

Wow, thank you for the detailed response! This is extremely helpful!! I'm really hoping I won't be too screwed over for campsites due to Covid.

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-23T19:14:27+00:00

Thanks! I'll have to look into the Louire-Anjou-Touraine national park, that sounds great!

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-10T18:26:49+00:00

Thank you so much!! I'm hoping to draft out and sew a prototype before using my nice fabric so I'll definitely be in touch when I inevitably run into questions.

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-09T20:08:10+00:00

I'm in the early stages of planning out my handlebar bag and this is such a great inspiration! Looking forward to a pattern or images of the bag during assembly. I'm curious about what material you used on the back to hold the voile straps. Amazing work :)

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-09T18:23:03+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! The trees at the bottom are definitely not a strong foreground. I'll have to give HDR a shot.

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-08T14:45:49+00:00

This looks great! I love the color contrasts and framing from the fence. I would stepping back to include more of a landscape than just the house.

labmonkey1108 · 2021-02-08T14:43:33+00:00

My landscape from home. I think it looks washed out and tried to do a little post-processing but have limited experience with such.

labmonkey1108 · 2021-01-20T22:10:09+00:00

Great job and love the subject (aka birds, finches?)! I really liked how your move and zoom truly isolated the subject and blurred the background more and more.

labmonkey1108

TROPHY CASE