Commuting - Swapping to a smaller frame on winter commuter? Should I?

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Sigurdd50
10-13-08, 08:10 PM
This is likely just a subjective point, but I thought I'd throw it out.

I ride a Peugeot US Express (Canada made?), set up with a Shimano 3-speed internal hub. BB converted from ashtabula to reg crank with one of them... converter things. It's a bit of a cheap old 80's beast, but, with studded tires added, it got me thru the snowiest winter in Madison Wi history.

I've been keeping my eye out for a suitable, better frame to swap parts to, to see if I could get something that is a bit better. A Trek 890 (1984) came thru the shop
http://vintage-trek.com/TrekBrochure1984AllTerrain.htm
...and I am hep to try swapping the wheels and such to it. Everything is the same, and the spacing would be close enough to fit the 3-speed. Problem: it is a 21.5" frame, which is smaller than I usually ride. Wheel base is 42" vs 44" for the Peugeot:

Question for riders... once I raise the seat and get some upright forward bars (like I have on the Peugeot) will the smaller frame make much diff for a foul weather commuter? I rekon I could spend a day schlepping the parts on and see if it works...just thought I'd throw it out. the 890 is a very early Trek All terrain bike frame...

crazybikerchick
10-13-08, 09:30 PM
You can make quite a lot of adjustments to the bike to make it more similar to your preferred frame size. How much different are they? You could also get a longer seatpost if the seat won't go high enough, and you can get a stem that is both longer and has some rise to it. If you don't move the handlebars up at all you'll get a more aggressive riding position than you are used to.
Sigurdd50
10-14-08, 06:08 AM
How much different are they?

I would say the Peugeot is closer to a 57CM frame. The Trek is closer to a 54CM frame. Of course it's a bit of a better frame. It has Cantis like the Peugeot so swapping will be pretty easy, and since it is early 80's, the spacing should be about right.

It seems I read some thread somewhere on here that some riders like smaller bikes for winter riding.