Woosh Karoo - heights

[David10]

Hello,
First post - but I've been reading the site for a few weeks on and off.
I'm interested in a bike with a little bit of assist to help me do the long (but not especially steep) drag up to my house as part of a 7 mile commute I'm soon going to have to do (currently cycle about 5 miles each way 1-2 times per week).
I weight 65 kg and am 5'8''. I currently cycle an old genesis vapour which is a cross bike with a roab-bike type form, only less aggressive, frame size 56 cm.
The Woosh Karoo seems suitable - and Woosh were very helpful on the phone. However, I'm not sure about the 20'' frame. I know that this would be OK for a road bike type geometry, but would this be OK for the Karoo which is described as having a "trekking frame".
A nice to have is that it would be good to have a bike that my wife could occassionally use or try, and she is 5'6''.
Thanks very much.

 

[trex]

both of you can ride the Karoo.

 

[David10]

both of you can ride the Karoo.

Thanks Trex.
best wishes,
David

 

[Yamdude]

20" frame seems big to me for someone thats 5'6"........ I would have thought the seat would have to be as low as it will go, then you may have probs standing over the crossbar.
I'm 6'1" with a 34" inside leg and my hybrid is a 21" frame, i wouldn't like to go bigger.

 

[David10]

20" frame seems big to me for someone thats 5'6"........ I would have thought the seat would have to be as low as it will go, then you may have probs standing over the crossbar.
I'm 6'1" with a 34" inside leg and my hybrid is a 21" frame, i wouldn't like to go bigger.

Hi, thanks. I've got a 21" frame on my cross bike which is very comfortable. I'm wondering whether the karoo is more like a hybrid frame or a cross frame.
David

 

[David10]

Hi, thanks. I've got a 21" frame on my cross bike which is very comfortable. I'm wondering whether the karoo is more like a hybrid frame or a cross frame.
David

Sorry 22" I mean, 56cm.

 

[Yamdude]

Hi, thanks. I've got a 21" frame on my cross bike which is very comfortable. I'm wondering whether the karoo is more like a hybrid frame or a cross frame.
David

I've not seen the Karoo in the flesh, so i'm only assuming on sizes.....
But frame sizes are subjective, what suits some may not suit others even though they're the same height.

 

[Yamdude]

This review thread, with more pics of the bike, may be more help.....

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/2016-woosh-karoo-hub-drive.23864/

 

[David10]

It is difficult without a test ride!

 

[Yamdude]

It is difficult without a test ride!

Yup. always a gamble buying a bike without seeing or riding it.
I would ask Woosh for the standover height of the top tube..... it may give you better idea of whether it'll fit your missus.

 

[Kenny]

Hi David,
Welcome to the forum. I'm just down the road from you in Greenock.

I'm the same height as you and my main electric bike is a 50cm hybrid framed Kalkhoff Pro Connect.

It's always felt comfortable to me and my daughter whose 5ft 3ins has ridden it around the isle of Bute (26 miles) and she managed fine with the seat fully lowered.

 

[David10]

Thanks Kenny for that reassurance, and Yamdude, great suggestion. I'll check the top tube standing height with Woosh and if that's doable for occasional use for my wife I'll go for the Karoo.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Trekking is another way of saying road or hybrid frame to which you can fit racks and panniers and mudguards and lights and... Often they are slightly wider at the stays to fit wider tyres. And they often have chainsets and cassettes designed originally for MTBs.

 

[David10]

Just thought I'd give an update for the benefit of anyone who finds this thread later. The distance from the ground to top of the top tube is, according to woosh on the phone today, 77cm.

 

[RobF]

Just thought I'd give an update for the benefit of anyone who finds this thread later. The distance from the ground to top of the top tube is, according to woosh on the phone today, 77cm.

Standover clearance of 30" - the bike will be way too big for both of you.

Your lass would need a stepladder to mount it and a pair of Elton John's platform shoes to pedal it.

I'm afraid trex took his woosh sales role too far in suggesting 'both of you can ride the Karoo'.

That's something else anyone finding this thread later should bear in mind.

 

[trex]

robF, don't be so hasty. Check the same measurement on your own bike. If your trousers length is 31", you can ride the Karoo.
BTW, you criticized cheap forks last week but still have not told us which fork is on your bike.

 

[Yamdude]

Just thought I'd give an update for the benefit of anyone who finds this thread later. The distance from the ground to top of the top tube is, according to woosh on the phone today, 77cm.

Way too big then i'd imagine.....
Seeing how far the end of the seat tube goes above the top tube, the seat height is going to be near 95 cm at the lowest it'll go.

 

[Kenny]

Hi David,


It's always felt comfortable to me and my daughter whose 5ft 3ins has ridden it around the isle of Bute (26 miles) and she managed fine with the seat fully lowered.

I wouldn't discount the Karoo too quickly.

Plenty of smaller folk have had a go my bike and the standover height is higher than the Karoo at 81cm at the top tube center.

Although they may be on the balls of their feet at a standstill, riding hasn't been a problem.

Putting the seat fully down makes the distance to the handlbars less of a stretch.

 

[IR772]

As long as they are only on the balls of their feet that is OK.

 

[RobF]

BTW, you criticized cheap forks last week but still have not told us which fork is on your bike.

Er, post 12 last Tuesday in this thread.

Perhaps you could explain what earthly difference what forks I have makes to the simple but true contention that cheap sus forks are a waste of space.

If I change my forks tomorrow, cheap sus forks will still be garbage.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/newbie-looking-for-recommendations-and-advice.25005/#post-320343