When there are large gaps in frame sizing...
06-10-20, 02:16 PM
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When there are large gaps in frame sizing...
I'm 5'11", pretty average proportions. A 57cm is likely my ideal size, but I've never had one. My current Miyata is a 58 and it's just a tad big, but a shorter stem makes it fit just fine. I've been looking for a 1986 Schwinn Voyageur. It goes from 21" to 23". or ~53.34cm to 58.42cm. That's a pretty large gap. What do you default to? Bigger for a touring frame, smaller for racing? It's difficult when a bike you really want just doesn't come in your exact size. I've found a really nice one in 21" but probably will hold for a 23.
06-10-20, 04:04 PM
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23"
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06-10-20, 04:06 PM
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06-10-20, 04:09 PM
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I'm a shade over 5'10" and ride this 23" very comfortably.
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06-10-20, 04:12 PM
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I’m 5’11” and all my bikes are 59 or 60s. I proportionately have long legs / short torso though...
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06-10-20, 05:08 PM
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06-10-20, 05:14 PM
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I am 5’9” and my 88 is a 23”. I find it’s not a true 23 so it gives me some nice sizing for me. Bigger frames for touring I thought is the rule.
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06-10-20, 05:34 PM
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I’ve opined on this topic several times. At 6’1” I’m probably “supposed” to ride a 60cm. I fit that size fine but I only like it for a more leisurely pace. My go fast bikes end up being 57-59 and are much more responsive. I go to great lengths dialing in stems, bars, cranks and pillars so that my riding position feels the same on every bike.
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06-10-20, 05:43 PM
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my imagined ideal frame geo would have a seat tube of 57cm and top tube of 55-56cm. i've never seen one with that ST vs TT arrangement in less than large or x-large frames, so i deal with longer top tubes and use shorter stems. sometimes short reach bars, too
go large, marge!! besides larger frames absorb better regarding comfort
go large, marge!! besides larger frames absorb better regarding comfort
Last edited by thook; 06-10-20 at 09:07 PM.
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06-10-20, 06:24 PM
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06-10-20, 06:38 PM
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Andy_K has a dozen or so 57cm, if you're measuring CTC. Heck, I've got a few 57's hanging in the Atelier.
1986 Schwinn Voyageur
84/85 Trek 720
Miyata 1000
Raleigh Super Course
Raleigh International
Peugeot PX60
1987 Peugeot Savoie (px531s)
Last edited by polymorphself; 06-10-20 at 07:33 PM.
06-10-20, 07:10 PM
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For your racing attitude, go down. For sport/tourer, go up. I've convinced myself, without evidence, that larger bikes are too flexy or too heavy. I wish that I kept a really nice 24" TREK 710. But there is no way I'm buying that 24" TREK 760.
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06-10-20, 09:07 PM
#16
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Back when I was only 16 in 1974(!) my LBS carried Fuji - that came in 19, 21, 23, and 25" frame sizes. At only 5'8", I felt cramped fore-aft on the suggested 21" size frame so I went 23" (58.4cm) and never looked back. In retrospect, I probably could have swapped out a handlebar stem and been happy with a 21-inch frame, but that option was never suggested to me back then. Anyway, I prefer the long-reach type fit since I'm short legged and long of torso. Yeah, 'the boys' are a bit compromised if I try to stand flat-footed, but who does that anyway? That has never been an issue of 45+ years of riding my 'too-tall' 23" frame. yeah, and now I have picked up some 57cm frames... 56s would probably be ideal... but... I've grown to like the long toptube fit...
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06-10-20, 10:59 PM
#17
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5'11" is fairly typical for a 23" or 58cm. How's the stand over now? Stand over the bike, pull both bike wheels up off the floor as far as it goes. What's the distance? (this is the typical the old school sizing method)
06-11-20, 12:23 AM
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Pretty much, yeah that's it. BITD the way I was taught sizing was mostly stand over dependent. 1" to an inch and a half. At the 1" end was considered more touring, at the 1.5" end was more racing. You dealt with different body proportions by having multiple bike lines with differences in top tube length. Beyond that meant stem swapping etc.
5'11" is fairly typical for a 23" or 58cm. How's the stand over now? Stand over the bike, pull both bike wheels up off the floor as far as it goes. What's the distance? (this is the typical the old school sizing method)
5'11" is fairly typical for a 23" or 58cm. How's the stand over now? Stand over the bike, pull both bike wheels up off the floor as far as it goes. What's the distance? (this is the typical the old school sizing method)
Last edited by polymorphself; 06-11-20 at 12:29 AM.
06-12-20, 11:32 AM
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when I first started working in bike shops in the early 70s. all brands came in 4 sizes.
19-21-23-25inch. then Italian bikes took over and they came 48 through 64.for 9 sizes
modern bikes come in small-medium-large or 3 sizes and I say WTF?
19-21-23-25inch. then Italian bikes took over and they came 48 through 64.for 9 sizes
modern bikes come in small-medium-large or 3 sizes and I say WTF?
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06-12-20, 11:40 AM
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06-12-20, 01:32 PM
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06-12-20, 01:38 PM
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I'm 5'11", pretty average proportions. A 57cm is likely my ideal size, but I've never had one. My current Miyata is a 58 and it's just a tad big, but a shorter stem makes it fit just fine. I've been looking for a 1986 Schwinn Voyageur. It goes from 21" to 23". or ~53.34cm to 58.42cm. That's a pretty large gap. What do you default to? Bigger for a touring frame, smaller for racing? It's difficult when a bike you really want just doesn't come in your exact size. I've found a really nice one in 21" but probably will hold for a 23.
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2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
Last edited by shoota; 06-12-20 at 01:42 PM.
06-12-20, 06:00 PM
#23
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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm................................ 54.5cm / 21-1/2" ********************?/
