Road Cycling - Frame size and brand:

Hey, folks. First post in the road forum.

I'm a long time mountain biker and am currently training to race next season. One of the things I would like to add to my training regiman is road riding. I've always liked to put the slicks on my MTB and hit the roads; I imagine I'd like it more on a road bike with less resistence and more SPEED! :D

The problem is that I'm completely clueless when it comes to road bikes. The only requirement I have is that I would like a steel frame. I want a supple ride without breaking the bank on titanium.

I have nothing against a good used bike.

Now for frame sizing. I'm 5'11" with average proportions. I can ride anything from a 17.5" to a 19" MTB comfortably. What sounds like a ballpark size I should be looking at?

Oh yeah...for brand, I would prefer Giant; but I doubt they make a steel frame. Oh well. I can go with whatever. What is cheap and good? Or what is good and can be bought USED for cheap? :)

Also, based solely on pictures, it looks like road bikes have very little standover clearence. True? (I have a 32" inseam if it helps for frame sizing.)

Thanks a lot!
Luke

You need to know your 'bike inseam' not pants inseam. Ballpark,55 to 58, depending on brand and actual leg/torso lengths and bike brand. All 57s or whatever are not the same.Try www.coloradocyclist.com for fit guidelines.Then go ride alot.

You need to concentrate on top tube lenght.

I see far to many shops selling bikes by inseam and I see way too many riders with too long or too short of frames.

I was just at an even about 2 weeks ago and I saw LOTS of guys in frames way too big and long.

Makes me wonder what is happening here.

Originally posted by Xavier
You need to concentrate on top tube lenght.

I see far to many shops selling bikes by inseam and I see way too many riders with too long or too short of frames.

I was just at an even about 2 weeks ago and I saw LOTS of guys in frames way too big and long.

Makes me wonder what is happening here. That's why ones starts with frame size,because thats the standard.Then ones rides to sort out geometry and TT length. Try walking into a bike shop and asking for a XX toptube length and see how many blank stares you get. If your are really seeing too much bad fit, maybe it is the shops not really doing the job.

Hi,
I used to Mtn Bike. If you're going used (and I think that's a good idea)...then steel is the way to go. Try a bunch of different bikes, new and used. Don't get too bent over. If you get into road riding, you can get a longer stem as you feel the desire to stretch out. Stretch too far too fast and it can bother your back. If a local LBS sells a lot of road bikes, ask them to keep an eye out.
If you see a bike, you might want to ask here about it. You might like Lemond, if you can find a used one in good shape. Some of the bikes from
the 80's are wonderful; but be sure it's in good shape. Oh yes, and you can look at the old posts here to see what the guys think of various brands.

Thank you, everybody :)


What I would REALLY like, is a older but high-end Lemond. I've also looked at Calfee carbon frames, but they are a bit expensive; with the exception of the Luna.

What is the general opinion on carbon road frames?

I had a 10 year-old Carbon Frames (earlier name for Calfee) that I recently sold when I upgraded to a new custom Calfee. The new owner (4 months) is very happy. I anticpate that my Calfee will last longer than I care to keep it.

Originally posted by palooka
Thank you, everybody :)




What is the general opinion on carbon road frames? Nothing wrong with a quality CF frame.Lots of different flavors, and not all the same.Technology gets better.

Pokey,

You are very right saying some shops have no business selling bikes. However this is a business and business men run the industry. If money can be made then they will sell it. Buyer Beware!

That is why I am here and for years have told buyers to look at top tube lenght.

I do not care as my customers have never had a problem with fit. So that is what I offer. I can very easily just stock sizes 53, 56, 58, 60cm frames (but advertise all) and simply 'force' buyers to buy what I have instock or left overs. That is the problem out there.

Many times it is the fault of the distributors by making shops buy frames (buy in programs) and making them stock them like it or not. That is where the problem starts.

If looking for a frame, ask many questions and you will see if the person on the shop know or is simply blowing smoke.

To this date to many people call me thinking all frames are the same. Why, because shops pass this misinformation. Some brands 56cm (c-t) may not and many times doesn't have the same top tube lenght of another.

It angers me to have customers looking for 70-90mm stems or 13-150mm stems.