Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Rode a 53 Swobo Sanchez

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Rode a 53 Swobo Sanchez

erpdat
01-19-09, 06:32 PM
Rode my friend's and it felt perfect. I ordered a 53cm Pake but the seller hasn't shipped yet. They have 51's in stock.

Looking at the specs/geometry of both bikes....

53cm Swobo Sanchez

Virtual Top Tube: 535
Actual Top Tube: 521
Standover: 30"

51cm Pake

Virtual Tob Tube: 525
Actual Top Tube:525
Standover: 30.4"

53cm Pake

Virtual Top Tube: 540
Actual Top Tube: 535
Standover: 31"

So if the 53 Swobo felt good, the 51cm Pake is what I should really go for, not the 53 Pake?

I contacted the seller and they are able to send a 51cm Pake instead.

So this is obviously what I should do, right?

The actual top tube is what matters, not virtual?

PS. Going into the LBS I offended and paying them to assemble my bike and picking up a seat post from em. Thanks for the much-needed kick in the ass.

Steve90068
01-19-09, 06:34 PM
53
erpdat
01-19-09, 07:05 PM
53

Really? What makes you say that? The 53cm Pake essentially fits like a 55cm Swobo, right?
I have to make the decision by midnight tonight, so if you can explain to me why, I'd be stoked.
Sorry I'm always asking and never answering, I'm a noob.
Thanks

bw286
01-19-09, 07:54 PM
do you want a bike with a little longer reach or a shorter one? there's your answer
ubernesss
01-19-09, 07:55 PM
virtual top tube is what matters.
erpdat
01-19-09, 08:05 PM
do you want a bike with a little longer reach or a shorter one? there's your answer

Ok, well if the virtual top tube is what matters....

The reach on the 53cm Swobo is good, but I wouldn't want it any longer.

So if the virtual top tube difference between the 53 Swobo and the 51 Pake is only 10mm, is that going to be a huge difference?
bw286
01-19-09, 08:24 PM
no. you can get a shorter or longer stem to make up for it
erpdat
01-19-09, 08:30 PM
no. you can get a shorter or longer stem to make up for it

Alright cool, thanks. I'll go with the 51cm.

It just feels weird that I'm 5'7" going with the 2nd to smallest size in the size-chart. But hey, its similar to my friend's 53 Swobo, so what fits fits.

And out of curiosity, what is the difference between virtual and actual top tube length?
bw286
01-19-09, 09:09 PM
come on, really?
one is the measured length of the actual top tube itself, the other is measured where it would be if it was truly horizontal.
i'll leave you to figure out which is whic
erpdat
01-19-09, 09:47 PM
come on, really?
one is the measured length of the actual top tube itself, the other is measured where it would be if it was truly horizontal.
i'll leave you to figure out which is whic

Got it. Sorry, wasn't exactly sure.. Thanks