I have my eye on a Trek Multitrack 7200 with the intention of using it to supplement my old Schwinn for commuting and errands. The Trek has 24 speeds to my Schwinn's 12, and with all the hills here in SE Tennessee, that could be important. I'd like to think that I could more easily ride the Trek to school while saving the Schwinn for errands near home and nostalgic rides around the neighborhood.
The question I have relates to what a good frame size would be for me. I'm right at 6' tall, with a 34" measured inseam. I usually wear a 40/30 trousers, which puts me in Clyde territory for now. The old Schwinn's a 25", which borders on being too big. I guess my family thought I would grow more.
When I went to the LBS to look at MTBs, the co-owner of the shop recommended a Haro Flightline Sport with a 20" frame. The Trek I'm looking at is also a 20", though it's not supposed to be an MTB.
Given my size and intended use for the Trek, is it the right size for me? It's used, but I can't afford to buy something that's not the right size. Should a hybrid be sized more like a road bike or an MTB?
Thank you,
-Bill
tromper
08-28-07, 01:44 PM
Hi Bill
Sounds like we're 'bout the same size, & as I recollect that's the size I was looking at when I was checking those out. I also just traded my 21" (54CM) Trek 520 to a fellah for his 56CM Surly LHT. We're both the same height, but our individual geometry's differed enough that I'm more comfortable on the Surly, & the Trek fits him like a glove.
My wife has a 17" 7200, I've ridden that after doing some seat adjustment , & it worked OK, if not necessarily a long term solution.
The biggest single favor you can do yourself is to take it out for a ride, & see how you like it, then take the next size smaller or larger out for a ride. Take 'em out for an hour or so to get a good feel for 'em A good bike shop shouldn't have a problem with this.
Far as the Treks go the one big gripe I have is that it's a bit tricky fitting a rear rack on 'em unless you use the special Trek "Hybrid" rack. Not a bad rack I suppose, but it does bear some thought. I've been a bigger fan of the Breezer bikes, & perhaps the REI equivalents if I were looking at a new bike for what you describe. As it was I went out & picked up an older bike (Trek 750) with a more standard geometry for racks et al. (Caution avoid Suntour cassette setups, you'll have to replace the drivetrain.) After replacing mis parts I came out a bit cheaper then a new Trek, & feel I have a better bike, but this isn't a solution for all , & a new bike does have it's advantages.
WilliamK1974
08-28-07, 09:03 PM
Well, the Trek got away, and for more than I could have paid for it. It's not an emergency situation or anything like that, but it looked like one of those chances to grab something good that don't come around too often.
Maybe when I get some more money I can spring for one of those Breezers or something similar. Someone at the university rides a black Bianchi Milano. Neat looking bike with some good features, but the gear ratios might not be good enough for the hills around here, and they're rather pricey. The problem is deciding whether to get a city bike, or to get the Haro MTB. The Haro's use is kind of limited, but I've outgrown my old MTB.
If a 20" MTB is a good average size for someone like us, what's a good road bike size?
Thank you,
-Bill
tromper
09-01-07, 09:32 PM
Sorry for the delay, been playing musical OS - once again depends on your personal specifics, & the size of tires frame geometry etc. It's closer to the hybrid then you think since the hybrid uses 700c wheels.
I am currently enjoying my 56 cm surly LHT. I had a good fit on a 55cm Jamis Nova (smaller tires then I'm running on the surly), & did OK on a 21" Trek 520 which I traded to another fellow about exactly my height, but with different leg vs. torso lengths.
Are you thinking touring bike, or hardcore rack 'em up ride 'em fast roadbike or ? They all have differnet geometry types, & will not only fit you differntly, but will have different demands for the type of riding you plan/are capable of doing.
andmalc
09-05-07, 06:08 AM
I would have thought your 34" cycling inseam would put you closer to a 58cm frame. The problem then is only larger bike shops will have these in stock so getting one for a test isn't easy.