tsmorr

I'm really hoping someone might be able to give me some straight talk advice.


I have a bad habit of buying bikes a little on the small side. I always thought I was 6 feet tall but the last time I had an out and out physical they said I was 5'11'. Over the years I had a few traditional geo 55s, and a 56 when I could have done a 58 (was probably actually 6 feet tall back then). And then 10 years or so ago what turns out to be a 55.5ETT cheapo aluminum cross bike.


Frankly I always found them pretty comfortable, can't say I race or really need to get down into the drops all that often (if I did a longer TT would probably feel better).


Long story short, I didn't mean to, but a few years ago I did it again. I bought a F/F off a guy on a different forum, I have the full geo but ETT 55.5 (at the time I thought the cheapo bike was 55, so I was thinking "Hey, another whole half CM!"). And then I sat on it for about 3 years.


So its sitting in my garage gathering dust (it was actually covered with a quilted moving blanket). Fork's uncut, never been built.


The question is, should I just acknowledge that I am an idiot and sell the frame and or F/F and move on, or is it worth trying to finesse it to fit a bit better than the cheapo bike. I did get a fairly ridiculous deal on it that I don't believe I could necessarily replicate.


I'm not gonna race it, might do some longer rides on it but I don't get out much these days, will probably be used for the occasional gravel grinder, or more realistically tooling around with my 7 year old.


TL;DR: A frame with a top tube potentially 2cm too small, better to sell and move on?

tsmorr

Oh, PS: I did try to ask a local bike shop's fitter/owner if I could pay her for some of her time to advise me on this, but her response suggested two possible services they could provide neither of which seem to quite work (1. Translate from another bike that fits me - See nature of my problem, above; 2. Full fitting - seems a little premature but something I will undoubtedly do if it's worth proceeding with).

vinfix

I've heard it's easier to adjust a too-small bike to fit than a too-large one. I don't know if I believe that. I'm the same height (last weeks dr. visit had me a little shorter, too!) and I've always ridden a 58 cm or 23 in, but I've gone up to 59/60 cm bikes. I'd rather spread out a little more than feel cramped.

Short of a fitting, you could go to some bike shops and try different bikes. Along the way you'll get some input on what size fits best.

tsmorr

That's a really good suggestion, can't believe it didn't occur to me to test ride some 58s and see how they feel.

Thanks!