Smallest Carbon HT Frame

[mtbdcc]

Looking for a 27.5 Carbon HT Frame for a bike for my wife.
She is sub 5' and needs a pretty short TT. 
Seems like all of the frames are getting bigger, longer top tubes.
Would prefer 15", 550mm or less top tube.
Any suggestions?
thanks

[Sitar_Ned]

Unfortunately, I think you're out of luck, man. I keep waiting for there top be some chiners available in those sizes and do think it's just a matter of time. Surely, there is plenty of interest for women's and kid's specific carbon bikes.. Especially since the price is so reasonable. Everyone will be moving over to carbon eventually.

[MTB2223]

Hi mtbdcc,

there is a 650b frame available in 15.5" at the XMiplay website ( http://www.xmiplay.com/ProductDetails1675 ) . I don't know the geometry, but we can ask Peter.
The weight of the 17,5" frame is 890±35g.

[mtbdcc]

I have been working with bella at xmiplay.  They had a 27.5 IP-127 that came in a 15".  However it has been discontinued.   I sent her an email about the IP-196SL. 
They are very responsive in answering emails.

[mtbdcc]

Just got the tt length on that 27.5 frame, size 15.5.   TT length is 570mm, way to long for my wife.

I'm not sure it is a matter of time.  I think the frames are getting to be a little larger on the small end and little smaller on the other end.  Probably to accomodate most, but not the real short or tall.

[Chadding]

I think it's somewhat surprising that custom options aren't available for these frames yet.

[Carbon_Dude]

mtbdcc, could you install a shorter stem to compensate for the longish ETT distance?  Seems like between seat adjustment and stem length you could change the reach by as much as 50mm pretty easily.

[mtbdcc]

Carbon_dude, that is my plan.  When i mentioned 550mm or less that was already factored in.

Her current bike is a 15+ year old 16" cannondale with a 510-520mm eff. TT(kind of hard to get this measurement exact).  And a 90mm stem.  So my thought was i could gain roughly 30mm going to a 60mm stem.

Yeti's new Carbon Arc comes in an xs size(14") with pretty good geom, but frame alone is $2000.

Kind of weird, but Trek's Cali is a 29" bike and they make it in a 14" size, reasonably short top tube.  Don't know how they make that happen with a 29" wheel.   

Maybe biased, but for a short person, the 27.5 seems like a good wheel size.

[Carbon_Dude]

I  seeing lots of people that want a small frame go with the 27.5 wheel size, seems like a good comprise.

[adym]

I've seen people fit 27.5 wheels in a 26 frame, maybe look into this, might be able to work it out by carefully studying the geometries.

[Nick]

Any updates to this thread?  I want to build one for my sub 5' son.  Need to find the smallest frame possible.  Even if it is big at first, he's a growing boy.  Any suggestions?

[Carbon_Dude]

I've seen people fit 27.5 wheels in a 26 frame, maybe look into this, might be able to work it out by carefully studying the geometries.

For those that already have a 26" bike and want to jump up a wheel size, just upgrading the wheels to 27.5" can be a good way to go but I wouldn't build a new bike with a 26" frame and 27.5" wheels.  There is too much of a compromise with frame geometry and tire clearances.

I'm sure a small 27.5 in frame would fit anyone that is on the shorter side.

[Nick]

Thanks for the input Carbon Dude.  A small 27.5 is still a bit of a stretch for my son (he's a very small 12 yr old), but of course he is going to grow so it may be worth it for a while.  However, I did just come across a 14" (535mm TT) 26er.  I would love the bigger wheels, but may not have an option.  Keep in mind, my boy weighs very little and probably won't weigh much for a few yrs.  Would 27.5 wheels be a bad idea? Does anyone have an opinion on the Everflow or Falcon brand on Alibaba?  Here's a link:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/2014-26er-carbon-frame-full-carbon_1723358354.html

I'm new at this Chiner stuff so thanks for any input.

[Carbon_Dude]

I'd go with a used 26" for your son then for his size.  Keep the cost down since he will outgrow the bike rather quickly.  You can find some really good deals on Craigslist.

When I had a 26" bike, I looked into throwing on a set of 27.5" wheels but even the front wheel didn't have much clearance and the rear wheel would bottom out when the suspension would travel over bumps.

However, if you built a bike with a 27.5" frame, got a inexpensive set of 26" wheels, your son would then be able to upgrade to 27.5" wheels later and be able to keep the bike for several years.

[Nick]

My goal is to get him in something that is somewhat light especially since he weighs so little.  Why would you go for a used 26er instead of a chiner build?  Seems like for the same cost for a descent used 26er I could build a nicer, lighter chiner.  He has a brother a couple years behind to pass it on to as well.  Admittedly, I also think it sounds fun to do a build. 

I have come across a ton of 14" 26er frames.  That would be great for him and still give him room to grow.  He is 4'8" tall. 

I even came a cross a 14" 29er. Could this be for real?

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Cheap-and-factory-directly-selling-29ER_60037954481.html

A couple of general questions about the china carbons:

1.  I have found a lot of differnt "brands" ie Falcon, Everflow, dashine, Aster, Huantan and some that just say OEM.  How does one navigate the brands? Many of them have the exact same photos and specs.  Are they all the same?

2.  Are there things I should specifically avoid as I wade through the options?

Thanks again.