Thanks kato so much for your interesting and very helpful reply. I have a large Fargo and love the fit. The short top tube and high front end are very comfortable for me. Since women's frames also have short top tubes and the ladies I know prefer higher handlebars, I had been wondering if that would make the small Fargo ideal as a start point.

Your post confirms that, so that's great. Also that Jones Bars, or perhaps the On One Mary Bars that I like a lot on my Moonlander, can be used to shorten the reach successfully. It was only yesterday I was discussing that a small Fargo could be a terrific do everything bike for her. Had wondered if a 26 er would be a better start point for a smaller rider, so your point mentioning preference for the 29er over the 26er helps as well.

The Fargo is a slightly unusual shape, sort of tall in height and short in length, just what a lady might order. If you wanted a Rohloff would that have to be a small Thorn or are there any alternatives in 29ers.

Brian

Looks like a small Surly Troll with drop bars might do the trick

http://nccyclery.wordpress.com/category/surly-troll/

Brian

I am guessing a small Salsa Fargo would be on the short list for a women around 5'6. What other bikes should be on the short list. Is there an equivalent to the Fargo in 26er designed for Alfine/Rohloff?

Brian