audiomagnate

Two different bike shop owners told me in one week that my 56cm 3.0 Crit was too big for me. I had to accept the fact that I've shrunk down to 5'9" so when a great deal on a close to NOS 54cm 2009 SIX 5 came up for sale, I bought it. After a week of ownership I am a little surprised to find out it's actually slower on short steep climbs than the three pound heavier 3.0, and that, unlike my old bike, it won't take 25mm tires. It is faster on everything but short sprints and hill climbs and I guess it fits me better and rides a bit smoother, and all those extra gears are nice but still...
Anyway, it just headed down the driveway in the back of its new owner's pick up truck, so I'll have you learn to love the one I'm with.

Lemond1985

There's something very special about those bikes. I think of mine as my Formula One car. Not a daily driver, but a frame to push the limits on days when I wanna ride HARD. Everything is faster on that bike, uphill, downhill, sprinting, cornering. But it sacrifices just a little in comfort.

ryansu

Lots of 54cm out there in C&V, I sense an opportunity

seypat

This is sitting on my local CL. I don't know if it is a 3.0.

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...944216984.html

Headpost

Had the same bike back in the day--I had a lower end one with the steel fork--and also wish I'd never sold it. Even with its heavy Wolber rims that was indeed a fast bicycle. Mine fit me just fine.

HTupolev

I'm 5'11", and on most bikes I fit best on something that's a "size 56" or thereabouts.

The fit on my old Fuji America looks perfectly reasonable. I've got about a fist worth of seatpost showing, I'm using the original stem set about halfway between slammed and fully-extended, and the handlebar ends are pointing roughly at the seatstay brake bridge.
The fit is surprisingly versatile. I find it more comfortable for long days than any other bike in my stable, but it still offers practical aggressive racing postures. Occasionally I ride considerable distances to get to a hard spirited group ride, and sometimes end up at 100+ miles for the day; it's impossible to feel anywhere near "comfortable" after such an ordeal, but the Fuji is probably my favorite tool for that sort of job.

The seat tube on that old Fuji happens to measure around 59cm center-to-center.

There have been a couple times when I've told bike shop employees what the seat tube on the old Fuji measures. On one occasion, this tiny snippet of knowledge caused the guy to suddenly conclude that the bike was too big for me.

Did they make that judgement based on your height and the number "56", or did they make it based on how the bike was actually set up and how you looked on it?

OldsCOOL

I’m 5’9 and ride a 54 Criterium Series. Fits me perfectly. No other bike rides like it. There is no chance of a casual ride when mounting this beast. Pulse quickens, aggression builds, adrenaline dump occurs and the assault on hills begins.

audiomagnate

Exactly. I can't tell you how many times I got on it and said to myself I'm just going to take it easy and then ten seconds into the ride I'm like, "screw it, I'm going for it!"

I like the way you think. Same bike, same color correct size.

Mine had the steel fork too. I'm convinced that's the way to go.

See above. You don't take a thoroughbred for a trot in the park.

Ironfish653

That red bike isn't a 3.0, or possibly even a Crit, from the look of things. 'normal' drop-outs, and the 'station' head badge say its a pretty early one though.

There is a 3.0 on the Richmond CL, though, but it's a 58cm. I've been keeping my eye on that one. (my 'project car' is taking up my 'project bike' money at the moment )

I hate the Richmond VA CL. There's always much more interesting vintage bikes and classic cars / motos than here, and it's within striking range of a Saturday afternoon shopping excursion.

pastorbobnlnh 

Keep an eye out for the 2.8 series in your size. .2 kilograms or 7 ounces lighter than an old fashioned 3.0 series! It also comes equipped with an aluminum fork! It's a true early '90s pedal rocket.

audiomagnate

I found this bike on "LetGo" and the seller claimed it was a 54. It wasn't until I got it home and measured it and decoded the serial number that I discovered it was a 56. I'm short legged so the reach was fine and I could straddle it at a stop light, but it was a little snug. There are lots of bikes here and many good deals seem to sit forever.

audiomagnate

The replacement:

2009 SIX 5 Aluminum triangle with carbon fork and rear end