Small size vintage bike?
06-18-21, 08:16 AM
#51
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Another little Trek up in Portland.
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik...332399580.html
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik...332399580.html
Portland, Wisconsin?
Which is interestingly, right by the Trek offices
06-18-21, 11:11 AM
#52
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Thanks guys - I dont know what rabbit hole I've dug myself into 
The more I look the more classics I chance upon haha. And yup, I do agree with the Grandis!
Thanks for the pic SwimmerMike - love how many bikes you have in your g guy arage too
The more I look the more classics I chance upon haha. And yup, I do agree with the Grandis! Thanks for the pic SwimmerMike - love how many bikes you have in your g guy arage too
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15439879611...YAAOSwTVpgb3GS
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
06-18-21, 12:57 PM
#53
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Isn't Oregon in Wisconsin?
Sorry, I must have been reading one of your earlier posts, and let my fingers get ahead of me.
I'll endeavor to no longer read any of your posts!!!
I noticed that I have a little Benotto frame or reasonable quality. About 19.5" which would put it at about 49.5 to 50cm.
The decals aren't bad, but it has a number of paint chips. Hopefully I'll get into doing some painting in the next month or so. I'm wondering how it would turn out to simply mask the decals, do light prep, and paint.
Sorry, I must have been reading one of your earlier posts, and let my fingers get ahead of me.
I'll endeavor to no longer read any of your posts!!!I noticed that I have a little Benotto frame or reasonable quality. About 19.5" which would put it at about 49.5 to 50cm.
The decals aren't bad, but it has a number of paint chips. Hopefully I'll get into doing some painting in the next month or so. I'm wondering how it would turn out to simply mask the decals, do light prep, and paint.
06-18-21, 02:57 PM
#54
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Yes, I know what Pen is looking for. I warned her against being talked into thinking a mountain bike of the same size is a viable substitute. It isn’t. A 13” mountain bike might be a good substitute but would require a lot of work and probably wouldn’t be worth the effort.
You brought it up and I explain why it is a problem. Too many people don’t take the geometry differences between mountain bikes and road bikes into account, especially for smaller riders (mostly women). Mountain bikes have very long top tubes compared to road bikes, especially mid90s mountain bikes. It’s even worse when you have to try to fit a small woman to that kind of bike.
Perhaps the best explanation of frames and small people ever done was done in a series of video by Geogena Terry. Everyone who is either small or is going to suggest a bike for a small person, should watch them. They explain a lot.
Finally, I get frustrated with people who would ordinarily say “fit is everything” but will tell a small person that they can just be shoehorned onto something that doesn’t fit. The opposite is actually true. I’m joe average and ride an “average” sized bike. I can walk into any bike shop in the world, pull my size off the peg, and go ride it without much more adjustment than getting the saddle to the proper height. I’m also just about guaranteed that any shop in the world will have my size because my size is made in close to a 100 to 1 ratio of larger bikes to very small bikes. I can even walk into those same shops and walk out with a 14 lb wonder bike…probably that day.
My wife (or any small person, for that matter) can walk into the same shops and be told that they don’t have the right size and, often, they don’t even make the bikes in a small enough size. Often they will try to steer smaller riders to hybrids or step throughs that weigh 2 to 3 times what the wonder bike does. My wife’s current bike weight 20 lb and it’s the lightest bike she has ever ridden. It took a lot of work and no small amount of money to get it to that weight. Dropping another 4 lbs would be next to impossible.
Perhaps the best explanation of frames and small people ever done was done in a series of video by Geogena Terry. Everyone who is either small or is going to suggest a bike for a small person, should watch them. They explain a lot.
Finally, I get frustrated with people who would ordinarily say “fit is everything” but will tell a small person that they can just be shoehorned onto something that doesn’t fit. The opposite is actually true. I’m joe average and ride an “average” sized bike. I can walk into any bike shop in the world, pull my size off the peg, and go ride it without much more adjustment than getting the saddle to the proper height. I’m also just about guaranteed that any shop in the world will have my size because my size is made in close to a 100 to 1 ratio of larger bikes to very small bikes. I can even walk into those same shops and walk out with a 14 lb wonder bike…probably that day.
My wife (or any small person, for that matter) can walk into the same shops and be told that they don’t have the right size and, often, they don’t even make the bikes in a small enough size. Often they will try to steer smaller riders to hybrids or step throughs that weigh 2 to 3 times what the wonder bike does. My wife’s current bike weight 20 lb and it’s the lightest bike she has ever ridden. It took a lot of work and no small amount of money to get it to that weight. Dropping another 4 lbs would be next to impossible.
I love my mountain bikes because they're rugged, can fit wide tires, carry anything, have 26" wheels (much more proportional to me and to smaller frames), and come in sizes I can ride. I have found a couple of modern frames that would do what I want; The Velo-Orange Polyvalent Low Kicker and the Rodriquez Adventure bike, but either one would cost ~$3000 to turn into a bike. My cheap mountain bike cost me $800. I know it's not a perfect fit, but I'm making do with what I can afford, and as it happens, my bike is a pretty fun ride. I'm done now.
06-18-21, 03:06 PM
#55
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Likewise, on the 650c road bike market, many are TT frames designed for larger riders that won't work. But, there are certainly some good smaller road bikes to keep one's eyes open for.
06-18-21, 04:47 PM
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06-18-21, 09:25 PM
#57
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06-18-21, 09:29 PM
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My wife (or any small person, for that matter) can walk into the same shops and be told that they don’t have the right size and, often, they don’t even make the bikes in a small enough size. Often they will try to steer smaller riders to hybrids or step throughs that weigh 2 to 3 times what the wonder bike does. My wife’s current bike weight 20 lb and it’s the lightest bike she has ever ridden. It took a lot of work and no small amount of money to get it to that weight. Dropping another 4 lbs would be next to impossible.
My wife (or any small person, for that matter) can walk into the same shops and be told that they don’t have the right size and, often, they don’t even make the bikes in a small enough size. Often they will try to steer smaller riders to hybrids or step throughs that weigh 2 to 3 times what the wonder bike does. My wife’s current bike weight 20 lb and it’s the lightest bike she has ever ridden. It took a lot of work and no small amount of money to get it to that weight. Dropping another 4 lbs would be next to impossible.
I on the other hand can walk into a bike shop and have the choice of a ton of bikes in stock, adjust the seat and stem height/length and have a great bike (Generally a last season and 30-40% off, since I'm cheap).
Like @cyccommute, I have lived with these challenges for a number off years. The choices of bikes for the vertically challenged is tough, there are solutions but most are compromises. Most of us wouldn't "make something fit" with compromises, so my advice to @pen is to ride a number of bikes and really understand what is needed before they buy something. There are classic steel bikes for shorter people, but they are rare and you need to know your size to know what works. My wife had a "small" Bianchi when I met her. I thought it was way too big for her, but I didn't know the size. We then got her the Maranoni Piccola with 650 wheels (picture above in the thread). It fit great. I later learned (in the last month) the Bianchi that was way to big was a 49 CTT. Just because it is a small size and the person is short, doesn't mean it fits. Just like a 63cm CTT is a tall bike, but not the right size for all tall people.
06-18-21, 09:50 PM
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06-20-21, 10:38 AM
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06-20-21, 10:56 AM
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Check this out, pen. 45cm.
06-20-21, 12:15 PM
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That's part of the philosophy behind the Terry-inspired design; with a 700C or 27" rear, it could carry a more common-sized and commonly-available driveline.
06-21-21, 11:21 AM
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Oh, how so? I did look at their inventory (cause they're one of the few with a pretty complete list online) - but they dont have one in my size. Thought they looked like pretty reputable store online.
In fact, I see a few sellers on Instagram. What are some of the things to take note of when buying from sellers (if not through eBay?) I asked the basic questions like - which parts are original and which are reproduced, does the bike ride well. Any tips will be welcomed!
In fact, I see a few sellers on Instagram. What are some of the things to take note of when buying from sellers (if not through eBay?) I asked the basic questions like - which parts are original and which are reproduced, does the bike ride well. Any tips will be welcomed!
They have to look you in the eye.
very few items are reproduced. brake lever hoods, cable housing, cables, tires are frequently modern production only the hoods I would call "reproduction"
Quality varies.
