Wife 5'2" - what's best

[BrianP]

My wife had a go on my Kona Ute Electric and really enjoyed it, obviously it's too big for her so we have been looking around for her a nice electric bike. She would use it on short trips into the village to work and back home from work when at the end of the day she is tired and has to ride uphill and against the wind more often than not.

At 5'2" we have found a good fit is important to her so she does not have to lean too far forward, so needs a short top tube. She will not ride a top tube or even sloping top tube bike - has to be girls frame, mixte or small wheel like her her current bike which is a Bike Friday Pocket Tourist in small size and it fits her perfectly. So one option is to have a go at adding power to her BF. Were not technical but I have a friend who is and would help sort a simple conversion. The BF has 20" wheels.

Since there would be some risk to making it work budget would need to be considered. Some seem to spend more than a complete new bike. We did look at the Kona Token and ordered a small, but it turned out there were no small size available, so had to cancel the order. This was on offer for £850. Her BF is worth about £500 so we could spend £350, or sell BF and spend £850.

Advice very welcome, Brian

 

[flecc]

The Bike Friday front forks look a bit frail for adding a motor, and the rear dropout width might be restrictive. Perhaps you could let us know that rear inside width.

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Brian
A kit for £350 is a tall order!
I'd like to point you towards our Classic or Urban bikes, which may appeal to you. The Urban in particular is proving very popular and would easily suit your good lady.
Great photos of your ride to the coast by the way.
Kind regards

 

[Cyclezee]

Hello Brian,

An eZee Sprint Primo stepthru might fit the bill for £750. Bikes & Conversion Kits - Cyclezee Ltd

The frame is 17" and the top of the saddle is 34" measured from the ground, changing from a suspension seatpost would bring that height down by a further 2".

 

[BrianP]

The Bike Friday front forks look a bit frail for adding a motor, and the rear dropout width might be restrictive. Perhaps you could let us know that rear inside width.

The Bike Friday Tourists are pretty tough little bikes. People fly/tour all over the world with them.

My wife's Tourist has standard Shimano Deore offroad hubs, 100mm front and 135 rear. I am pretty sure the bike will be fine for taking any weight of conversion. Are 20" wheel kits available?

Brian

 

[Kudoscycles]

Hi,we have a new bike coming out name Safari...it's a good spec and designed to suit shorter riders,especially smaller ladies....but it will be over your budget at £1145.00...available may 2012....if you pm your address I can send draft info sheet.
Regards
Dave
Kudoscycles

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Brian,

We have both front and rear 20" eZee conversion kits that would fit your wife's bike, again on our website here Shop - Cyclezee Ltd.

If you email, I can send you a copy of our Installation Guide.

 

[flecc]

The Bike Friday Tourists are pretty tough little bikes. People fly/tour all over the world with them.

My wife's Tourist has standard Shimano Deore offroad hubs, 100mm front and 135 rear. I am pretty sure the bike will be fine for taking any weight of conversion. Are 20" wheel kits available?

Brian

I know they are tough, but front motors subject forks to stresses they were never designed for, and those look very skinny indeed, both the legs and at the headstock join.

The widths are fine and motors like those eZee ones would fit easily. Just be sure that a front one couldn't go off exploring by itself.

 

[jerrysimon]

I think a light weight (2kg) low powered (180w) Tongxin may be ok in those forks.

Regards

Jerry

 

[10mph]

At 5'2" we have found a good fit is important ......Advice very welcome, Brian

Consider trading in for a taller model. I can recommend a shade under 5'9", which suits me very well.
According to this link auctions were very popular between 1780 and 1850.