16 or 18 inch Frame?

Cindy in the U.S. has been looking at bikes and wants to know if she should buy a 16″ or 18″ frame. She has a short torso and arms so we have explained why she should go for the smaller of the bikes

Question:
I am 5’2″ with a 27″ inseam. I’ve seen 16″ frames and 18″ frames. Torso and arms are short. What is the best frame for my size?

Hi Cindy,

If I were you I would go for the smaller framed bike as you can adjust the seat post and possibly change the handlebar stem for one that is either a longer or more up-right. If you are considering a mountain bike then you will need the smaller frame as you want as much step over height as you can get, meaning space between you and the top tube.

Then on a road bike a smaller frame is lighter and can have a more “sporty” feel to it than a bigger frame, especially if that frame is too big for the rider. As you say you have a short reach a smaller frame will be more accommodating and shouldn’t make you over-reach to the handlebars.

So Cindy, without seeing you on a bike, I would suggest that you buy the smaller 16″ frame for all those reasons.