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So, how big is too big?

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So, how big is too big?

Old 05-14-18, 05:42 AM
  #26  
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I'm also 5' 11" and I ride an identical 25 inch Peugeot PX10. I do use a shorter 100mm stem on this bike and need a stem this length on any large frame if the top-tube is nearly 60cm long. Cyclist who ride modern compact frames often tell me the bike is too big, but I ignore them. This bike fits and I like the taller head-tube that comes with a frame this size.

My ideal size is a 24 inch with a 59cm top-tube and a 110mm stem. Bike frames smaller than this usually can't be made to fit in my experience.

Below are some of my larger bikes;





​​​
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Old 05-14-18, 07:55 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
I'm also 5' 11" and I ride an identical 25 inch Peugeot PX10. I do use a shorter 100mm stem on this bike and need a stem this length on any large frame if the top-tube is nearly 60cm long. Cyclist who ride modern compact frames often tell me the bike is too big, but I ignore them. This bike fits and I like the taller head-tube that comes with a frame this size.

My ideal size is a 24 inch with a 59cm top-tube and a 110mm stem. Bike frames smaller than this usually can't be made to fit in my experience.

Below are some of my larger bikes;





​​​
First of all, beautiful bikes! Second, how cool that someone nearly my same height is riding the exact same bike!

I just ordered a shorter stem last night, so I will be playing around with all this stuff. Someone earlier in the thread suggested that I set it up with the same saddle nose -to- handlebar length as my other well-setup bikes, but the thing is, I don't know if I have a single bike setup right now that is considered 'well setup'. They are all projects and all in process. Nothing is really set in stone. I keep waffling between cruiser bar setups and drop setups (honestly, I like both), and still trying to make my way around the fit.

I might just setup the PX10 as a cruiser bar style. I've already got my Zebrakenko with drop bars and that bike fills the need there, as it is very fast. Gliding around in upright comfort feels like it should be more French, anyway
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Old 05-14-18, 09:47 AM
  #28  
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At 5ft 10" i prefer larger sized bikes for sure , dont ask me why

I have a couple of 23" and bigger frames that i prefer riding over the smaller ones in the stable , this old 50's Raleigh is one of them

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Old 05-14-18, 09:54 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by AdventureManCO

I might just setup the PX10 as a cruiser bar style.
Did I hear someone say skyscraper beach cruiser?

I can ride this thing all day long, zero fatigue, zero discomfort.

Zero fast too.


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Old 05-14-18, 10:20 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv




​​​

Nice.
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Old 05-14-18, 10:51 AM
  #31  
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No bike shop would put me on this. Not quite a fistful of seatpost, but I have just enough clearance to stand over it.



57cm center-to-center square, I'm somewhere between 5'7" and 5'8", depending on time of day.
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Old 05-14-18, 12:22 PM
  #32  
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this looks too big ... https://i.imgur.com/nwxKmNZ.jpg
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Old 05-17-18, 12:39 AM
  #33  
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I'm also 5'11" but that is because of an especially long torso, I have the legs of a 5' 8" person so the sizing thing is tricky for me, I can kinda sorta ride a 25" frame but like the fit of a 23", the stand over is um snug, but the top tubes fit right and I am going to be riding the bike not standing over it right? The now departed Schwinn Passage was a good fit. Although if I slammed the saddle and got a short stem maybe a 25 would work... nah that's crazy......but...hmmm


IMG_1732 by Ryan Surface, on Flickr
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Old 05-17-18, 02:56 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Did I hear someone say skyscraper beach cruiser?

I can ride this thing all day long, zero fatigue, zero discomfort.

Zero fast too.


That is a great looking bike!
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Old 05-17-18, 03:56 AM
  #35  
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All this talk about frame size and top tube length are meaningless compared to the most critical dimension: STAND OVER HEIGHT!

Unless someone enjoys rolling on the ground in exquisite agony after a close encounter between the family jewels and the top tube (applies to women too), for common sense and safety sake a rider should be able to straddle the top tube with both feet firmly planted on the ground after after an unexpected dismount.

When you come to an emergency stop, as you come off the saddle, your knees are going to flex a little as your feet hit the ground - natural shock absorbers.

I like to allow at least 1" of clearance standing over the top tube in riding shorts and shoes.

I was 5'11" at one time but I've been loosing the battle against gravity and I'm now 5'9". I have a very long torso with short legs and neck. I wear 28 1/2" inseam pants and have a bear of a time finding long shirts and extra long T-shirts.

I can still ride 54cm to 57cm frames but 55cm-56cm fit me best. I also like short top tubes with my seat all the way forward and 70mm to 80mm stems. This allows me to ride in a more upright position and also to be able to look through my glasses not over the top.

One thing that I noticed over the years is that my 57cm bikes are a little smoother riding than a comparably equipped 54cm frame.

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Old 05-17-18, 09:12 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Patriot1


That is a great looking bike!
Thank you. It has a little brother, only 61 cm tall.


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Old 05-17-18, 09:25 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Thank you. It has a little brother, only 61 cm tall.


wow! Very fine taste you have sir well done! I really like the color of this 61.
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Old 05-17-18, 09:30 AM
  #38  
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I'd agree that big frames tend to feel better when you ride them. My main concern is being able to get at least a toe down when I pull up at a junction, so that I don't up arse over tit in a heap in the road.
I'm not too fussed about stand-over height, as I would be in the middle of crashing if that were a concern, and I'd be more worried about bouncing my face off the scenery or other traffic in that scenario.
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Old 05-17-18, 09:36 AM
  #39  
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If you can ride it comfortably, it fits you. Period.

SP
OC, OR
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Old 05-17-18, 11:02 AM
  #40  
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In my experience, people tend to like a slightly smaller frame size than they think they will. Many times I've heard someone say "I love this bike I just got, and it's not even my size! I just need to find one that's a little bigger, and it will be perfect!" I've had this thought many times. But I've never heard the corresponding story, that they got the bigger one, and it was perfect.

So, if your frame is near the maximum size that you can ride, I have a strong suspicion you'll be happier on a frame one or even two sizes smaller.
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Old 05-17-18, 08:37 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by rhm
In my experience, people tend to like a slightly smaller frame size than they think they will. Many times I've heard someone say "I love this bike I just got, and it's not even my size! I just need to find one that's a little bigger, and it will be perfect!" I've had this thought many times. But I've never heard the corresponding story, that they got the bigger one, and it was perfect.

So, if your frame is near the maximum size that you can ride, I have a strong suspicion you'll be happier on a frame one or even two sizes smaller.
My experience has been the opposite. At 6' with 36'' inseam, I started out on 58cm frames. My c&v addiction led me to test ride a lot of stuff I wouldn't otherwise have tried. The first time I straddled my 25'' Circuit, I thought "for the price, I will try to make this work." But the shakedown ride the next day was revelatory.

I've build similarly-appointed fixed gears from six or seven frames, including a 58cm Maxway, 60cm Treks (560, 400) and Centurions (Ironman!), but my favorite is this 63cm Super Strada:

I think that fit--especially stack height--is a big part of this effect. But something equally important is how the larger frames flex more. For a rider of modest wattage, this brings out both the liveliness and the forgiveness of the steel.
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Old 05-18-18, 07:32 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by belacqua
My experience has been the opposite. At 6' with 36'' inseam, I started out on 58cm frames. My c&v addiction led me to test ride a lot of stuff I wouldn't otherwise have tried. The first time I straddled my 25'' Circuit, I thought "for the price, I will try to make this work." But the shakedown ride the next day was revelatory.

I've build similarly-appointed fixed gears from six or seven frames, including a 58cm Maxway, 60cm Treks (560, 400) and Centurions (Ironman!), but my favorite is this 63cm Super Strada:

I think that fit--especially stack height--is a big part of this effect. But something equally important is how the larger frames flex more. For a rider of modest wattage, this brings out both the liveliness and the forgiveness of the steel.
This is an interesting way of describing things. 🙂 I think the rider's weight figures into that, as well, because a skinny guy like me, just doesn't flex the frame like a heavier guy does. 🤔
But since I ride aluminum now, there's pretty much no flex, so it's no longer an issue. It makes you think, though.
BTW, I ride 25", with less than a fistful of post.
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Old 05-18-18, 10:26 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by wrk101
I have a long torso, long arms and very short legs. Several of my bikes have zero to negative standover in order to get enough TT length. Its one reason I like MTB drop bar conversions so much.
Originally Posted by big chainring
I'm 6' tall with short legs long torso. I could ride a 57cm if my back was a bit more flexible. 58cm is doable but a tad small. 59 and 60cm are my best fit. 61-62cm are a bit big but I like the way they ride. 63cm is too big but was a popular size back in the day and its rideable.
Originally Posted by crandress
I have an odd body shape, so my legs are short and my torso is longer, so for me I think a bigger bike with a longer top would be nice for riding, but I hate getting on a bike I cannot stand over! I ride a 51/52cm bike, but tried a 56cm once that felt really good riding, but getting on was weird because I did not come close to standing over it.
Originally Posted by ryansu
I'm also 5'11" but that is because of an especially long torso, I have the legs of a 5' 8" person so the sizing thing is tricky for me, I can kinda sorta ride a 25" frame but like the fit of a 23", the stand over is um snug, but the top tubes fit right and I am going to be riding the bike not standing over it right? The now departed Schwinn Passage was a good fit. Although if I slammed the saddle and got a short stem maybe a 25 would work... nah that's crazy......but...hmmm
Like you guys, I've got a long torso/short legs. Two models I might suggest for your body proportions are these:

This '92 Specialized Crossroads will be my touring rig. It has a stumpy 53cm seat tube (C2C) with a whopping 60cm top tube, has cantis, and it can fit 700x42 tires.




This '89 Centurion Dave Scott Expert isn't quite as elongated as the Specialized, but it does have 57cm seat tube and a 59cm top tube (also C2C). This one should be just about perfect for my particular body size.
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Old 05-23-20, 09:29 PM
  #44  
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So I resemble some of these sizing comments and am also in search of a better fitting C&V frame from which to start messing with reach and stack, etc.

I've got an 86 Centurion Elite RS which is ok for my physique. I'm curious about the reported measurements of the 89 Expert.

The data below shows it to be more squarish (cannot tell if the seat measurement is C-C or C-T; if it's C-T then at least the top tube is a bit longer).

Centurion Ironman Expert (1987-1989)


Does anyone know if the 89 DS Master was in some way a departure from the other Ironman frame geometries?
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Old 05-31-20, 09:00 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by KiwiMtnClmbr
So I resemble some of these sizing comments and am also in search of a better fitting C&V frame from which to start messing with reach and stack, etc.

I've got an 86 Centurion Elite RS which is ok for my physique. I'm curious about the reported measurements of the 89 Expert.

The data below shows it to be more squarish (cannot tell if the seat measurement is C-C or C-T; if it's C-T then at least the top tube is a bit longer).

Centurion Ironman Expert (1987-1989)


Does anyone know if the 89 DS Master was in some way a departure from the other Ironman frame geometries?
One reason for this may be that Centurion was using center-to-top measurement for the seat tube. That's pretty standard, but I prefer center-to-center, to remove all the variations created by different seat cluster configurations.
I'll try to verify the measurements with a photo.
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Old 06-01-20, 11:51 AM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by Hudson308
One reason for this may be that Centurion was using center-to-top measurement for the seat tube. That's pretty standard, but I prefer center-to-center, to remove all the variations created by different seat cluster configurations.
I'll try to verify the measurements with a photo.
There's a number of scattered references to some Master or Expert frames having longer top tubes ala classic Lemonds. I want early Lemond style geo, butted steel, clearance for 32s or fendered 28s and Centurion Ironman pricing.
https://www.bikeforums.net/19118661-post24.html

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Old 06-02-20, 04:49 PM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by KiwiMtnClmbr
There's a number of scattered references to some Master or Expert frames having longer top tubes ala classic Lemonds. I want early Lemond style geo, butted steel, clearance for 32s or fendered 28s and Centurion Ironman pricing.
Here's a quick verification of the 57cm seat tube (center-to-center), and 59cm top tube on my '89 Ironman Expert. Yes, it's the same frame that I shared above. Please forgive the poor pictures. You're forcing me to reveal details of a project I'm not ready to unveil yet!


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Old 06-02-20, 07:37 PM
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I really can’t stand over this bike without touching, but it’s one of my favorites. Much rather too big, then too small.
Tim


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Old 06-02-20, 08:15 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by Hudson308
Here's a quick verification of the 57cm seat tube (center-to-center), and 59cm top tube on my '89 Ironman Expert. Yes, it's the same frame that I shared above. Please forgive the poor pictures. You're forcing me to reveal details of a project I'm not ready to unveil yet!

Oh boy this has me giddy inside... I wonder if there's a 56cm C-C seat tube Ironman Expert out there with a 57/58cm top tube?!

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Old 06-02-20, 09:38 PM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by verktyg
All this talk about frame size and top tube length are meaningless compared to the most critical dimension: STAND OVER HEIGHT!

Unless someone enjoys rolling on the ground in exquisite agony after a close encounter between the family jewels and the top tube (applies to women too), for common sense and safety sake a rider should be able to straddle the top tube with both feet firmly planted on the ground after after an unexpected dismount.

When you come to an emergency stop, as you come off the saddle, your knees are going to flex a little as your feet hit the ground - natural shock absorbers.

I like to allow at least 1" of clearance standing over the top tube in riding shorts and shoes.

I was 5'11" at one time but I've been loosing the battle against gravity and I'm now 5'9". I have a very long torso with short legs and neck. I wear 28 1/2" inseam pants and have a bear of a time finding long shirts and extra long T-shirts.

I can still ride 54cm to 57cm frames but 55cm-56cm fit me best. I also like short top tubes with my seat all the way forward and 70mm to 80mm stems. This allows me to ride in a more upright position and also to be able to look through my glasses not over the top.

One thing that I noticed over the years is that my 57cm bikes are a little smoother riding than a comparably equipped 54cm frame.

verktyg
I have never understood this. I come out of the motorcycle industry and there is no top tube, and the saddle is the lowest part.
Flat footing a motorbike from the saddle is confidence inspiring but in no way a requirement. In an emergency stop you squeeze the brakes and stop the bike. When it stops it will lean to one side or the other, and that’s the foot you put out. With practice you can even lean it to a preferred side with consistency.
I can’t for the life of me imagine a scenario that would require you to stop and leap off the saddle to flat foot over the top tube.
Maybe it’s a habit people get into, maybe I just have a different set of programmed responses from wrangling a motored bicycle, but that’s my 2 bits.

Verktyg, I enjoy all of your postings immensely and with the utmost respect to you, I disagree!
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