Too-small commuter bike
 

HI all!

My son is in grad school, and wants a bike to get to campus from his off-campus apartment. The commute is less than 2 miles each way, mostly flat, in a busy urban setting. He'll also use the bike to run errands.

Once I replace the cables, brake pads, and chain, his old bike will be in good shape. Unfortunately, he got it when he was around 5' 7", and he's now 6' 1". I will get him a longer seat tube so his knees don't hit his chin. Is there anything I need to do to make the bike usable? How critical is a longer stem?

Please keep in mind that aerodynamics is of absolutely no concern. If he ever gets it above 10-12 mph, I'll be surprised. I'm mostly concerned about safety, and to a lesser degree comfort.

Thanks in advance!

With College Campuses being a hot bed for bike theft * .. get really good locks to secure the bike to something solid.. both wheels and the frame

maybe a cheap beach cruiser or one of those Walmart fixies will do better be no great loss or replacement will be cheap.

*nothing really has changed since my University years in the 70's...

My 6'3" dad finally got on a bicycle later in life , he put ape-hanger bars on his.. he was a Motorbike guy after WW2 ..
(competing in hill climbs not the Hell's Angels type)





...

One reason to consider a longer stem is if his knees hit the handlebars with the current one. If it's a quill stem, a longer quill will allow him to raise the bars and be a bit more upright. If it's a threadless steerer type, an up-angled stem will do the same thing.

For campus, get a $70 xmart bike.

Graduating students abandon bikes. campus security cuts the locks, then sells the bikes.. get one of those?

Get a inexpensive bike that is the right size for cheap. Go over it with a fine tooth comb and make sure it's properly put together. For a beater bike at college with short commutes, that's all that is needed.

If he will also be doing longer rides for fitness or enjoyment, then that's another story and another bike. So he can be N+1 at the start of his college. One bike to use for going to class and can be locked up outside. The other to keep in his dorm room and never take his eyes off of when out for long rides.

+1 No matter what you do a too-small bike is always going to be too small.
Edit: For about what you will spend on a seat post, stem, new cables, etc. you should be able to get a properly-fitting bike on Craigslist, etc.

Craigslist or Facebook market place for something cheap. Another thing you can’t fix on a small bike is toe overlap with the front wheel when turning.

Perhaps a frame swap, a bare frame from Craigslist could do.