Wanted: x-small/small cross frame suggestions

[rice rocket]

This is for my g/f, but I'm not that much taller than her so I'd ride it around town when she isn't on it. She's 5'3 or so, and she fits on my 49cm Scott CR1 (with a shortened stem).

Lookin' for a cross frame w/ a sloping downtube (or at least a 29" or less standover). Doesn't have to be fancy because she's a beginner, but I'm having trouble finding a cross frame w/ enough clearance.

Any ideas? I'm assuming the sloping downtubes are rare because the front triangle is kept large for carrying purposes, but being able to mount the bike should have priority over carrying ergonomics. :rolleyes:

[thegunner]

the ridley crossfire in the smallest size has a sort of sloped TT given the nature of the frame sizing. i've ridden one of those and i ride a 50ish cannondale. if she fits on a 49 cr1, then the ridley might work.

[stephenyi]

Try the Soma Double Cross:
http://www.somafab.com/geometry03.html

[mo3039]

The new 2011 Giant TCX W has a sloping TT and should meet your standover criteria. Specialized Tricross might fit the bill as well, somewhat sloping and smallest size standover is ~28". The Terry Valkyrie is no budget bike (Waterford OS2 double-butted steel) but is built around 26" wheels in the smaller sizes with level top tubes and I'm betting will handle WAY better than some of the "forced into 700c" small sizes from other builders. Good luck...

[rice rocket]

The Soma Double Cross seems to have an abnormally long toptube for what they call an 42cm frame? 523mm for a cross bike?

FWIW, my 49cm CR1 bike has a 515mm TT (horizontal), which incidentally is what the Tricross is as well. Standover is listed at 748mm though (29.4 inches).

I wish Nashbar made their cross frame in steel rather than aluminum; size seems to be workable (520mm TT horizontal, 730mm standover). It might be the answer though...they drive a hard bargain at $92 w/ their 20% coupon. :)

[Vientomas]

http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/cross_check_frame/