2020 Small Frame Touring Bikes
Shorter cyclists shredding on the Olympic Discovery Trail!
I am a taller person — standing 5’9” and appearing 6’0” most days because of my scowl and tendency to wear heels. My height privilege gave me a blind spot for the plight of shorter cyclists for a long time, but in the last year I have met a lot of shorter cyclists and they got me out of my bubble. I decided to make a list of bikes with frame sizes under 50 cm and/or stack of <560mm and reach <380mm, so if you are not the height of the average U.S. man (me) you can find a bike in your size.
I learned a lot about bike sizing and fitting doing this research, mostly that the typical frame size — indicated by the length of the seat tube — is helpful for getting in the ballpark of an appropriate bike size, but bike sizes are not standard and the best way to find an appropriate bike is to test ride a whole bunch. I found an article about bike sizing which is pretty technical, but very helpful in understanding how to finely tune a bike fit. I simplified the chart in the article for use below. The list is not comprehensive, nor is it an endorsement or review of any of these bikes, but simply a catalog so that shorter cyclists can get their bearings (ha!) and find a bike that might fit — always test ride before you buy! Sizes are indicated below using information available as Seat tube cm (Stack mm/Reach mm).
The List!
Brodie Bicycles has several touring models in a range of sizes.
Elan is available in small/46cm, appropriate for cyclists 4’11” and taller
Remo is available in extra-small/48 cm, appropriate for cyclists 5’0” and taller
Revel is available in extra-small/46cm, appropriate for cyclists 4’7” and taller
Roam is available in extra-small/48cm, appropriate for cyclists 5’0” and taller
Romulus is available in extra-small/48cm, appropriate for cyclists 5’0” and taller
Torque is available in small, appropriate for cyclists 5’3” and taller
Cinelli is a classic manufacturer offering two touring-appropriate models in small sizes.
Gazzetta Della Strada is available in extra-small/50cm (528/371)
Hobootleg Easy Travel is available in extra-small/46cm with a 26” wheel, and small/49cm with a 700C wheel
Co-Motion Cycles are made in Oregon!
Americano is available in 46cm (547/374)
Cascadia is available in 46cm (554/361)
Deschutes is available in 50cm (561/370)
Ochoco is designed for smaller riders! Available in 42cm (506/374)
Pangea is available in 44cm (514/356)
Siskiyou is available in 46cm (539/369)
Crust Bikes makes rough-and-tumble steel bikes for getting dirty and makes frames down to 46 centimeters and extra-small — some models can be ordered as step-through as well. Their inventory and availability changes often, so do not fret if models noted here are not available.
Bombara is available in 45cm
Cheecho is designed with the shorter rider in mind! Designed for people 4’10” to 5’3”
Dreamer is available in 50cm
Evasion is available in step-through 46cm and 46cm
Jamis has the Renegade series with some models available in 44cm (505/351).
Dragonslayer models are available in 15” (621/390) whic
KHS Bicycles has TR-101 available in extra-small/49cm (546/364)
Kona makes frames down to 46 cm and extra-small, and is a Washington-based company!
Libre is available in 46cm (575/378)
Rove and Sutra models are available in 46cm (510/370)
Marin started as a mountain bike company, but has started making some touring and gravel models in the last few years.
Four Corners is available in extra-small (560/377)
Gestalt is available in 50cm (548/373)
Headlands is available in 49cm (550/370)
Nicasio is available in 47cm (550/362)
Salsa Cycles have been making adventure cycles for a long time and offer several smaller frame models.
Fargo is available in extra-small (594/350)
Journeyman is available in 50cm (528/364)
Marrakesh is available in 50cm (539/360)
Warbird is available in 49cm (517/360)
Vaya is available in 49.5cm (543/354)
Soma Fabrications is a kickass company with some very popular touring models.
Buena Vista models are available in 42cm (561/364), but the geometry may be too aggressive for all-day touring depending on preference
Grand Randonneur is available in 49.5cm (528/381)
Saga Disc is available in 46cm (527/359)
Trek is one of the larger bike companies in the world and makes a lot of different types of bikes.
The 520 Disc is available in 48cm (540/368)
The 920 is available in 49cm (556/385)
Road bike models are available in more sizes with Domane SL available in 44cm (510/360), and the Emonda SL available in 47cm (522/369)
Wayward Bicycle Co. is a small Australian bike company with a small collection of touring models. Cape York and Nullarbor are available in extra-small, appropriate for cyclists 5’2” and taller.
Velo Orange makes super cute frames, components, and bags! They are currently selling the Campeur in 49cm (483/362) but will be discontinuing it later this year. An updated model of the Polyvalent will be offered in 47cm soon!
Vivente makes the Anatolia and Gibb (by request) which are available in small (540/399).
More resources!
Monica of the incredible Moxie Summer Jam has a 2017 blog post about small bikes that Do Not F*ck Around (DNFA), as well as handlebars under 40 centimeters.
Alee Denham of Cycling About has a 2015 blog post about small touring bikes. The links are somewhat out of date, but it is possible to find newer models, or those models noted in the post second-hand.
This Bike Geometry Calculator can help calculate the stack and reach of a bike from stated geometries.