Introductions - Hi- Chi Rider (no pun intended) - also advice needed

Hey all,

Introducing myself and askin' for advice -

5'8" - 30"(ish) inseam (according to my jeans)

Looking to buy a Schwinn Continental online (and I know, I should go to the shop and get it fitted, but its supercheap online) It's measured 21" from middle of crank to top of seat tube, not measuring the seat or seat neck.

Good fit ? (I'm also planning on checkin it out in person before committing, if possible...)

Thanks !!!

(and if it isn't painfully obvious, I'm a super noob) =/

Welcome to the forums.

As a very rudimentary way of judging the bike's fit, stand over the top tube and see if you have a few inches of space between that and your crotch. Test ride it too and see if you feel cramped or stretched on the bike while riding it.

As you already know though, a fitting at a bike shop will be far preferable in determining the right size for you.

A couple of points..

1) Hi, and welcome. This is a good forum, and I think you'll enjoy it.

2) If you go to a bike shop, you can test ride a variety of bikes, and they can help determine what your size is. I see a LOT of guys buying a bike that's too small and then running into problems.

3) 2 or 3 weeks after you buy the bike, the cables will stretch, spokes may be imperefectly tensioned. It will need a mini-tuneup. A bike shop will do this free if you buy it there. If you don't the cost will be about the same as what you saved buying online.

4) Bike shops often give discounts to buyers. You will need a helmet. Most wind up getting bike shorts, or a tail light, or any of a number of different things. One accesory I like that the Continental had 30 years ago is a second pair of brake levers on the top of the bar.

5'8" - 30"(ish) inseam... Good fit ? A Google search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site%3Awww.bikeforums.net+%2230+inseam%22&btnG=Search) shows that there are 276 threads on bike forum that at least mention 30" inseam. In the following thread, some of the folks who responded have your inseam measurement: 6'1" 32" inseam, is a Trek 520 21" too small for me? (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=365060)

Hey all. Thanks for the welcomes and advice!
So I ended up getting the Continental. Its a bit tall and needs a little work, but suits me just fine.

Additionally, I'm looking for new tires and brake pads. What I've noticed is that it needs a 37-597 (S-6) tire and the only ones I've found so far that fits those specs are the the Kenda straight treads. Since there's a good chance that I'll ride in the city in rain/slush, I'm thinking that they're not the best tires for the job. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I suppose I'm looking for a nice medium between price, puncture-resistance, and all-weather ...durability (?)

Thanks again !