Road Cycling - help getting a road bike for this summer...

I live in Brooklyn, NY. I used to race quite a lot years ago.

I'm 27-year-old guy, tall is 5-9, weight about 170, please tell me that based on the given information, is the 56cm (22 inches) frame is an appropriate size for me?

My buget is not much, around $400 for now, I'm looking around the craiglist (http://newyork.craigslist.org/bik/) haven't been able to find the one that I'm looking for.

Please give me any tips that you have, if you live in NY, and have a bike to sell in my range, I'm glad to hear it. Thanks for reading.

I am approx. the same height and unless you have a really long inseam i would look at 54 cm.

thanks ewitz, I've found this 54 frame on craiglist, but don't know anything about the brand, would you or anyone tell me is it a good deal or not? I really appreciate that.

Link: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/32150556.html

Where in brooklyn do you live?
I live near maimonides hospital on 9th avenue and 49th street.
You might want to drop by 89th and 3rd at bayridge bikes. They're a good place and got me a great deal on last year's Giant OCR2. Plus they were real good about fixing things up after I crashed.

BTW: they also have a Giant OCR3 that seems pretty good for $500.

Gotham bikes in manhattan's also pretty nice, I like those guys over there. Plus they got a lot of celebrities and $$$ who buy from there but they'll still treat you like you're #1.

56cm sounds a little big------5'8'' 180lbs--------Klein 52cm frame here

I'm 5'8 1/2" with a 32" inseam... the Lemond formula suggests a 54 for me... i'm assuming thats with a standard geometry... as i'm riding a 52 compact which fits me fine.

Where in brooklyn do you live?
I live near maimonides hospital on 9th avenue and 49th street.
You might want to drop by 89th and 3rd at bayridge bikes. They're a good place and got me a great deal on last year's Giant OCR2. Plus they were real good about fixing things up after I crashed.

BTW: they also have a Giant OCR3 that seems pretty good for $500.

If you end up going to BayRidgeBikes, PM me. I am friends with the owner and her son.

Don't go by this height = this size. You could have two people the same height and one is long legs / short torso and the other short legs / long torso. They will need different sizes.

Use this to find the range that you should be in:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Hi,
different bike companies have differing ideas about sizing.
But 54cm sounds right; that's my size too. A year ago I got a 20 year old Fuji touring bike. 10-20 years old is a good window.
It would help if you learned about what was good in the 80's and 90's. There are some very nice early Trek road bikes. Schwinn made nice bikes, but I would avoid the cheapest one. Sheldon Brown has an article on old bikes that's worth finding (google it).
Save a few bucks for a new seat, prob a tuneup,helmet,gloves, and some bike shorts.

5'9", 32" inseam. Ride a 54cm traditional geometry. Fits like a glove. Still, it's all relative so if you can, try riding a few bikes to get an idea of how they feel.

Don't go by this height = this size. You could have two people the same height and one is long legs / short torso and the other short legs / long torso. They will need different sizes.

Good advice. Some other considerations come into play as well: what will be your riding position, how flexible is your back, etc. Even a bike that fits like a glove might hurt a bit in the beginning. But as a former racer you are probably used to that...

Gotham bikes in manhattan's also pretty nice, I like those guys over there. Plus they got a lot of celebrities and $$$ who buy from there but they'll still treat you like you're #1.

They are good. I need to go to BayRidge because my friend owns the shop but I frequent Toga bikes (Sister Shop) which is up the street from me. Nice shop...

Thanks guys for giving me good advice. I've checked out the store you guys recommended, but I went to wrong store, it was out of business. I will check again today.

I don't have long arms, back, or legs, I think 54cm frame is good for me, may be people at the bike ship with help me with that.

Thanks guys for giving me good advice. I've checked out the store you guys recommended, but I went to wrong store, it was out of business. I will check again today.

I don't have long arms, back, or legs, I think 54cm frame is good for me, may be people at the bike ship with help me with that.

Yep, she'll take care of the sizing and have you ride a few of them.