spinnaker

Found a Trek 520 on Craigslist that seems to good to be true (yeah I know what they say about that and I will be careful).

Anyway it is a 21" frame. I am 6'1" with a 32" inseam. If I measure my stand over height correctly, it is around 30.5". Should this bike fit me?

spinnaker

Well if it is too good to be true then it probably is. He is selling the 520 for $200 so I sent him an email asking why he was selling it so cheaply. I asked the year (he linked to a 2008 model) and I asked if he had proof of ownership.

This was the response:

"WHAT IS IT WORTH? I AM NOT DRIVEN BY GREED BICYCLE PEOPLE ARE VERY CHEEP PEOPLE WITH NEVER ENDING INANE QUESTIONS. DO YOU ***** WHEN YOU GET A GOOD DEAL?IF YOU COME TO MY HOME TO BUY THE BICYCLE ;WHERE WILL YOU GO WITH A PROBLEM;MY HOME.BE CAREFUL WHO YOU CALL A THIEF"

I love his command for the English language.

Anyway my question still stands for future possible purchases, does a 21" sound like the right size for me?

lancele

To be honest with you, I don't think $200 is that great of a deal for a Trek 520, but it would depend on the year, condition, components, and what the seller means by "recommended tuned up." Someone in Houston was selling one for $225 a month ago, and I've purchased a 1990 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp (small dent in downtube) and 1991 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp both with original XT components for $100 each off Craigslist.

As for your question, I was taught that you should have about an inch clearance over the top tube for road bikes. Having that clearance would also allow you get thicker tires and not having to bump the top tube when you dismount. I've read that people do buy bikes with top tubes higher than their inseam. The one-inch clearance is only a guideline, so just ride whatever makes you comfortable.

barba

$200 on a $1300 bike sounds like a good deal to me. I am around 6'1" and I couldn't ride a 21" 520 comfortably. Their geometry chart says the tt is 55.5cm for that size. My bike usually have a top tube around 58cm. I am not a huge fan of stand over as a frame measurement. YMMV.

late

In plain English it's too small. Since fit is the most important thing, test ride
a few bikes to get an idea of what you need for a top tube. Don't worry about standover, it's basically overblown as an issue. This is from a guy with really short legs.

spinnaker

I'm not sure if I am interested in this one anyway. I got a follow-up response from the guy that was equally as freaky and it turns out that "someone threw it in the trash" and "he found it". That's why he is selling it so cheaply, sounds a bit fishy to me. With his attitude, I'd be afraid to go out there for a test ride.

barba

It is stolen.

jcm

Look for a 23" if you want a 520. I have a 31-32 inseam and I actually would trade my 23 for a 25.

That deal sounds weird. $200 is very cheap for a decent 520. Three years ago, I bought a near mint condition '98 520 with all the trimmin's for $550. Without the Brooks B17, fenders, front and rear racks, KoolStop pads, it still would have fetched $400.

theranman

I always find it interesting that people who bandy about the term "inseam" never mention how they define it. Are they referring to their pants inseam, pubic bone height, leg length (hip bone to floor), etc.???

Personally, I think the Rivendell method of PBH is the best way to measure, and I agree that for touring bikes, 1-1.5" (wearing shoes) is all that is needed for safe standover clearance. I also agree that reach to the handlebars is THE most important measurement.

axolotl

You might find this article from The Washington Post about stolen bikes and craigslist interesting:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/25/AR2007082501363.html

FlowerBlossom

Crazy seller aside, sounds to me that the stand-over height might not be the issue. Rather, the top tube might be too short. I am 5'8" with a 33" inseam and I fit fine on a 21" frame. I could probably use a taller bike, but the next size up would definitely be too long.

jcm

I agree. That's why I'd go with a taller 520. PBH is what I use for my roadies and my roadified MTB.

Pompiere

I have similar measurements but I prefer a 23" frame with a shorter stem extention, 60mm vs. the stantard 100mm. A bigger frame allows me to have the bars closer to the seat height.

Vieja Cabra

It will probably be too small for you.

I have a 21" Trek 520. I'm only 5-8 but have a 32" pbh and wear a 30" inseam. I'm a little gawky because my legs are a big part of me and my arms are short, plus I've had a shoulder problem so I'm a pretty upright rider. My seat stem is way high, and my bars are high and moved in. I changed out the stem for a 200mm lenght nitto with short 50mm stem neck and 42cm nitto randonneur bars. I plan to move back out to a 70mm stem with the original Trek bars. The narrower bars make is a little too quick to turn. And moving them back out will help also.

Mine is a 1994. It was one owner with a bunch of miles and I gave $600 for it a couple of years ago. I put new wheels (XT/Mavic 319) and an 8 speed sprocket in back. I plan to move up to 9 speed cogs with a new chain (maybe new 9 speed barcons) before too long.

jbpence

I am 5'10" longish torso, 30" pants inseam. i ride a 21" 520 and it fits me perfectly. My seat is about 2" above the bars and I am using the stock stem. i think its too small, your kness are going to come close to hitting your elbows in the drops, and you are going to have a really long stem and the seat is going to be way above the bars.