Do big road frames look silly?
08-26-18, 05:56 AM
#3
Senior Member
Whether or not it's a good fit for you will depend more on how you're put together than your overall height. Unless you've tried a big frame before, you'll never know. As a rule of thumb I don't ride bikes I can't comfortably stand over any more, although I did ride one 1-2" too large in this respect for several years and really enjoyed it. I think that was because the increased height brought the saddle and stem height closer together. But now I'd just use a higher/shorter stem.
As for whether they look silly, it's completely subjective. Personally, I like larger vintage frames, up to about 23". I think they look great, although the super large 25" ones can begin to look a bit awkward sometimes.
My advice? Have fun building it, try riding it, and see how you go. If you smash your nuts on the top tube while dismounting, maybe look for a smaller frame!
As for whether they look silly, it's completely subjective. Personally, I like larger vintage frames, up to about 23". I think they look great, although the super large 25" ones can begin to look a bit awkward sometimes.
My advice? Have fun building it, try riding it, and see how you go. If you smash your nuts on the top tube while dismounting, maybe look for a smaller frame!
08-26-18, 06:38 AM
#5
bocobiking
Not silly.
08-26-18, 06:51 AM
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That frame isn't "perfect", it's way too big. That difference between your recommended frame size of 56 - 58 cm and that 62 cm frame is very significant and i can't believe you could ride it safely and comfortably no matter how long your legs are relative to your height. I ride a 57 cm frame and find a similar 59 cm frame significantly too large.
It's as if you wear a size 9 shoe but found a bargain on a pair of size 12 shoes. Find a proper size frame to build up.
It's as if you wear a size 9 shoe but found a bargain on a pair of size 12 shoes. Find a proper size frame to build up.
08-26-18, 06:55 AM
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Townie/FIxie suggest short rides so the fit is less important, the short seat post might look odd to some.
08-26-18, 07:07 AM
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I'd try to sell/swap it, it's too big. Problems I'd think you have?
- Top tube smacking your groin, awkward to mount/dismount
- might not be able to set seat far enough down, excessive leg extension
- Getting the correct reach will mean having a really short stem/shallow bars. Not a big deal but I've found finding a less then 80mm stem to be challenging (on a budget). Threadless stems are easier to find that short.
- Top tube smacking your groin, awkward to mount/dismount
- might not be able to set seat far enough down, excessive leg extension
- Getting the correct reach will mean having a really short stem/shallow bars. Not a big deal but I've found finding a less then 80mm stem to be challenging (on a budget). Threadless stems are easier to find that short.
08-26-18, 08:15 AM
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It's almost funny how perceptions evolve. back in the day we all thought that a big bike was better. Then the "gotta look like a racer" took over and frames that many, even now, would consider too small (and often with 120-140 stems) became the mark of the cool rider. As I began to build frames I started to better understand that fit is about contact points and less about what's between them. But cycling (like skiing) is so much about fashion for so many... Andy
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08-26-18, 08:50 AM
#12
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Weren't they considered faster too? (although bigger is also heaver, so that would be a strange opinion to form) I can only imagine that's why 4 out of 5 of every vintage road bikes I find has a 23" or bigger frame.
08-26-18, 09:06 AM
#13
Banned
Maybe you can as Bill Walton how he likes his bikes..
But, 180cm is not even 6 feet .. it's 5.90551181 feet
test rode any bikes in bike shops, yet?
But, 180cm is not even 6 feet .. it's 5.90551181 feet
test rode any bikes in bike shops, yet?
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-26-18 at 09:16 AM.
08-26-18, 01:06 PM
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4 cm is almost 2 inches. That's a whole lot. It also means that the top tube and head tube are going to be bigger so the bike is going to look goofy when you get it adjusted to where you can ride it.
There's also this: It takes every bit as much time and money to build an ill fitting bike as it does to build one that fits right.
There's also this: It takes every bit as much time and money to build an ill fitting bike as it does to build one that fits right.
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08-26-18, 01:19 PM
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How the bike looks has no pull in my opinion. It’s all fit and feel. Who the f cares how you look on it. People are concentrating on hoping you don’t swerve into the lane, not how silly your bike looks.
08-26-18, 02:09 PM
#17
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Bigger frames are heavier than smaller frames, but don't necessarily result in a heavier bike when fit to the same rider. Frame tubes are well-triangulated, and can be made with very thin walls... stems and seatposts are cantilevered, and seatposts need to be able to withstand considerable clamping force. Less frame means more stem and seatpost.
08-26-18, 02:14 PM
#18
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You'll never ask does this frame make my tires look fat.
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08-26-18, 02:20 PM
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Ok,
180cm is about 5'10" my height.
About 35 years ago I bought my old Colnago Super. About 60cm frame. And, it fit perfectly until I recently joined Bike Forums.
I'm a bit more torso than legs, which means the long frame is comfortable.
She's a tight fit when I stand over it, but not uncomfortable. I rarely stand with 2 flat feet over the frame though (one foot on a pedal?).
More legs and less torso would mean a looser crotch fit, but a longer top tube could be too long for the body.
A 61cm or 62cm frame would be just a bit tighter, and would be hard for me to stand over.
The other issue is whether this is a vintage frame with a horizontal top tube, or a new frame with a sloping top tube. If it has a sloping top tube, then frame sizing would be complex, but you may have enough standover clearance.
A final issue is the length of head tube. This more or less sets the minimum handlebar position. So, a tall head tube means a high handlebar position. That may be beneficial if you don't like leaning over, but less appropriate if you wish to get quite a bit of bar drop, and to duck low under the wind.
Danger to the family Jewels... is overrated with large frames. Falling on them just doesn't happen.
180cm is about 5'10" my height.
About 35 years ago I bought my old Colnago Super. About 60cm frame. And, it fit perfectly until I recently joined Bike Forums.
I'm a bit more torso than legs, which means the long frame is comfortable.
She's a tight fit when I stand over it, but not uncomfortable. I rarely stand with 2 flat feet over the frame though (one foot on a pedal?).
More legs and less torso would mean a looser crotch fit, but a longer top tube could be too long for the body.
A 61cm or 62cm frame would be just a bit tighter, and would be hard for me to stand over.
The other issue is whether this is a vintage frame with a horizontal top tube, or a new frame with a sloping top tube. If it has a sloping top tube, then frame sizing would be complex, but you may have enough standover clearance.
A final issue is the length of head tube. This more or less sets the minimum handlebar position. So, a tall head tube means a high handlebar position. That may be beneficial if you don't like leaning over, but less appropriate if you wish to get quite a bit of bar drop, and to duck low under the wind.
Danger to the family Jewels... is overrated with large frames. Falling on them just doesn't happen.
08-26-18, 06:42 PM
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Nice bike, would fit me perfectly. I always thought the small frames looked kind of stupid. Personally, if you had the choice, would you choose to be tall or short.
Tim
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08-26-18, 07:46 PM
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08-26-18, 08:17 PM
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08-27-18, 12:39 AM
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A lot of people do seem to be concerned whether the frame makes their wheels look too big or small these days, though.
08-27-18, 09:26 AM
#24
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08-27-18, 10:27 AM
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OP made decision to go with smaller frame...... good idea, as I am pretty sure 62cm would have been way to much
fwiw
I am 6" and 32 inch pants inseam (even though these are pretty meaningless in this context
I have ridden 58cm/23in forever.....but without huge amounts of seat post
I just got a 59 cm frame..... it fits great, but I would not want to go largerr
as to how it looks, I think it looks fine, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder
fwiw
I am 6" and 32 inch pants inseam (even though these are pretty meaningless in this context
I have ridden 58cm/23in forever.....but without huge amounts of seat post
I just got a 59 cm frame..... it fits great, but I would not want to go largerr
as to how it looks, I think it looks fine, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)