Framebuilders - Jamie Roy fit vs. Pista

I am thinking of buying a 53 cm IRO track frame that the lbs has hanging in its window. They have no IROs built up in that size so I can’t try it out. I ride a 53 Pista, but I could probably feel comfortable on a 55. I like the snug fit, but when I climb my knees could bump the bars if I let them. I realize that this is partly due to my stem length, but I wouldn’t want a frame that was any smaller. The specs show that the lengths on the Jamie Roy frame components are slightly longer, but the head and seat tube angles are 1.5º smaller. I'm okay with the more relaxed geometry, but will it end up feeling smaller?

I'd love to have a custom frame builder work something up for me, by the way, but I'm on a Chevy budget as you can tell.

I am thinking of buying a 53 cm IRO track frame that the lbs has hanging in its window. They have no IROs built up in that size so I can’t try it out. I ride a 53 Pista, but I could probably feel comfortable on a 55. I like the snug fit, but when I climb my knees could bump the bars if I let them. I realize that this is partly due to my stem length, but I wouldn’t want a frame that was any smaller. The specs show that the lengths on the Jamie Roy frame components are slightly longer, but the head and seat tube angles are 1.5º smaller. I'm okay with the more relaxed geometry, but will it end up feeling smaller?

I'd love to have a custom frame builder work something up for me, by the way, but I'm on a Chevy budget as you can tell.



This is a joke right? Seriously. You want a custom framebuilder to build you a custom frame on a budget that is competitive with the low cost production model $300 frame like IRO and Jamis?! Please dude! That is an insult to custom builders everywhere. Absolutely nothing wrong with the IRO and Jamis and if you like those bikes, then go for it. To even entertain the thought that a custom builder might be able to do that on the same budget is just plain wrong.

I think he is just asking about geometry and fit differences, in a forum where people might be good at dispensing sizing information.

I think you should try the guys over at the Fixie/Singlespeed forum. They might be more knowledgeable on production fixies.

I have a new 53cm Jamie Roy frameset for sale if you were interested.