Road Cycling - Steel bikes: odd numbered sizes... (long)

Hi all -

Newbie here, just attended my first Brazen Dropouts swap meet in Madison, WI. Holy crap! Talk about a ton of stuff to go through! Even though I have done a fair amount of reading over the past few months and thought I knew a bit about bikes, I found it to be a bit overwhelming. Anyway - I didn't find a bike in my size that I liked.

One of the things that I have noticed is that practically all steel bikes (in the past few years, at least) are built with odd numbered sizes (53, 55, 57, etc.) I really want a steel bike - I have tried several at a LBS, and for what I want a bike for (excersize, occasional du or tri) there was no comparison. Steel was much smoother and more comfortable. My dilemma is that I think I need a 54cm top tube (I'm just over 5'7"). If I want a steel bike, it seems that (for the most part) I need to choose between a 53 and 55. As an example, I rode a Bianchi Imola 53 and felt pretty comfy. I then tried a 55 and felt laid out like superman. The LBS guy (who is pretty knowledgeable) said I would be happier with a 55 with a shorter stem and narrower bars. What the hell do I know?

Since I am new, I don't want to spend a ton on my first bike, and Ebay is probably the place for me ($600 tops). I know that Bianchi, Lemond (pre-04), and Jamis make steel frames, but it is difficult to find information on bikes that are several years old or more(which may be in my price range). For example, Lemond's webiste only lists 04 and 03 models. So..to the question. Does anyone have a handy-dandy link to a site which lists manufacturers bike materials (steel mainly) and year so that I can do some comparing? Thanks folks, this is a great forum!

Although the 55cm Bianchi felt stretched out, My opinion is it would be the better bike for you.
I normally ride a 59cm Bianchi but can be just as comfy on a 61cm.
As the guy you spoke with stated the bike can be made to suit you better by the seat stem, handlebar stem and handle bars, even the cranks if need be.
After you determine what bike you want , seek and wait patiently on ebay.
(hint) email the seller when you see the bike you want, as his reserve price. offer him that price or ask if it does not reach the reserve if he would be willing to sell it to you in a private auction to avoid all of the ebay fees.
(hint #2) dont start bidding on the bike, put the bike in your watch items. wait till the last 30 seconds (sharp shoot) the bike by putting in your maximum amount you would pay. You will beat the bidders everytime by sharp shooting.
If the bike you get from ebay doesnt have all your wants and needs there is everything you need on ebay, stems, handlebars,cranks etc.
good luck and ride safe

Also be sure once you get your bike to take it in to the shop and have it fit for you, The bike being fit for you makes a very big difference. Once the bike is fit for you, you may not feel stretched out like superman...
Good luck again and ride safe

you are in the great state of cheese and didn't mention waterford? blasphemy!! the finest steel frame around.

I would LOVE a Waterford, but am under the impression that (1) they are hard to come by and (2) they are more pricey than my range!


you are in the great state of cheese and didn't mention waterford? blasphemy!! the finest steel frame around.

Bianchi is reasonably priced :D

I'm just over 5-7 with a 30in inseam and a 55 C-T (top of top tube, not top of seat tube) frame is way too tall for my crotch. My steel framed Cinelli is 52 C-C (center to center of top tube) which equates to roughly 53 C-T and it is perfect for me with about 5 inches of seatpost exposed....not too radical nor goofy...

I'm just over 5'7" and my inseam (as measured by the "fit calculator") is
a hair uner 32". The 55 seemed to fit ok as far as standover height...


I'm just over 5-7 with a 30in inseam and a 55 C-T (top of top tube, not top of seat tube) frame is way too tall for my crotch. My steel framed Cinelli is 52 C-C (center to center of top tube) which equates to roughly 53 C-T and it is perfect for me with about 5 inches of seatpost exposed....not too radical nor goofy...

Gunnar is Waterford's off the shelf product.
Give one a test ride and see how it fits you. I was really surprised at how comfy it was. I love Bianchi's, but I get the same feeling you do.

I'm just over 5'7" and my inseam (as measured by the "fit calculator") is
a hair uner 32". The 55 seemed to fit ok as far as standover height...

I'm also 5' 7" but with a 29 inseam; I ride a 52 seat tube with a 53.7 top tube. All this variation in riders of the same height suggests that you might go to a LBS and invest in a fitting. Standover matters, but so does top tube length -- and top tube length isn't always easy to modify just by changing out stems. Frankly, I'm kind of surprised that you would fit a 55 in the Imola, given that it has a virtual TT length of 55.2 -- your torso, compared to TheFixer and to me is shorter, and we both ride a shorter top tube. But, you really would be best off with a professional fit if you are going to be shopping swap meets, E-bay, etc.

All these measurements are about frame/cockpit sizes. Is there any measurement system for recommendation of crank length?



I'm also 5' 7" but with a 29 inseam; I ride a 52 seat tube with a 53.7 top tube. All this variation in riders of the same height suggests that you might go to a LBS and invest in a fitting. Standover matters, but so does top tube length -- and top tube length isn't always easy to modify just by changing out stems. Frankly, I'm kind of surprised that you would fit a 55 in the Imola, given that it has a virtual TT length of 55.2 -- your torso, compared to TheFixer and to me is shorter, and we both ride a shorter top tube. But, you really would be best off with a professional fit if you are going to be shopping swap meets, E-bay, etc.

170 is a typical road crank, 175 is a typical mtn bike crank. I am 5' 8" and use 170.