Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Quick sizing question

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daneil
04-30-04, 07:44 AM
I'm a kind of short guy who rides a 52cm (c-t) road bike. I have the chance to buy a great track bike. the only problem is that it's 50cm (c-t) and has 650c wheels. I'm not really worried about tire replacement and the wheelset is Suntour Superbe Pro laced to Velocity Aerohead's so I'm not worried about having to upgrade the wheelset. I was just wondering if this bike is going to be way too small for me. It's 47cm c-c and has a 53cm top tube (the top tube is great for me). Just wondering if most people size their track bikes small and what you all think about the 650c wheels. I've searched this forum and gotten a lot of conflicting ideas about the wheels. This bike is going to be trained on and ridden on the track at Kissena (if I can start hauling my fat butt to the gym and drop 10 lbs).

fixedgearhead
04-30-04, 09:45 AM
I'm a kind of short guy who rides a 52cm (c-t) road bike. I have the chance to buy a great track bike. the only problem is that it's 50cm (c-t) and has 650c wheels. I'm not really worried about tire replacement and the wheelset is Suntour Superbe Pro laced to Velocity Aerohead's so I'm not worried about having to upgrade the wheelset. I was just wondering if this bike is going to be way too small for me. It's 47cm c-c and has a 53cm top tube (the top tube is great for me). Just wondering if most people size their track bikes small and what you all think about the 650c wheels. I've searched this forum and gotten a lot of conflicting ideas about the wheels. This bike is going to be trained on and ridden on the track at Kissena (if I can start hauling my fat butt to the gym and drop 10 lbs).


If it is a true track frame, the stand over height would be higher than a similarly sized road frame, due to the higher bottom bracket. You could probably use it as there is more of a problem with t/t length than any other measurement if all the other measurements are reasonable close. I ride bikes with a variation from 55cm to 57cm overall size and each one fits me fine. They have the appropriate combination of t/t length and stem length so that my reach is correct for each frame. Do you have a chance to sit on the bike and ride it? If so that should tell you some thing. If you are buying it mail order then you just have to trust your judgment and go for it.


Fixedgearhead
daneil
04-30-04, 10:13 AM
If it is a true track frame, the stand over height would be higher than a similarly sized road frame, due to the higher bottom bracket. You could probably use it as there is more of a problem with t/t length than any other measurement if all the other measurements are reasonable close. I ride bikes with a variation from 55cm to 57cm overall size and each one fits me fine. They have the appropriate combination of t/t length and stem length so that my reach is correct for each frame. Do you have a chance to sit on the bike and ride it? If so that should tell you some thing. If you are buying it mail order then you just have to trust your judgment and go for it.


Fixedgearhead

Well it is a true track frame, it's a used cutom from Ti Cycles. The standover is good for me at 29 inches (my inseam is 30.75). Unfortunatley it's going to be a sight unseen kind of thing. I think I'm going to go for it.