Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Out of Square Bike for the Long Legged

Sorry for the 500th bike sizing question, but I've got short arms, a short torso and long legs. (6 foot with a 36inch / 92cm inseam. Does anybody stock an off the peg bike with a 61ish seat tube and a 54ish top tube? I figure lower bottom brackets and slacker seat tube angles will get me closer to where I need to be.

Thanks so much for your help.


Measurements
-------------------------------------------
Inseam: 92
Trunk: 56.19
Forearm: 35.5
Arm: 65
Thigh: 60
Lower Leg: 56
Sternal Notch: 144
Total Body Height: 182.88



The Competitive Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 59.6 - 60.1
Seat tube range c-t: 61.4 - 61.9
Top tube length: 52.9 - 53.3
Stem Length: 10.9 - 11.5
BB-Saddle Position: 84.1 - 86.1
Saddle-Handlebar: 52.0 - 52.6
Saddle Setback: 6.9 - 7.3


The Eddy Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 60.8 - 61.3
Seat tube range c-t: 62.6 - 63.1
Top tube length: 52.9 - 53.3
Stem Length: 9.8 - 10.4
BB-Saddle Position: 83.3 - 85.3
Saddle-Handlebar: 52.8 - 53.4
Saddle Setback: 8.1 - 8.5


The French Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 62.5 - 63.0
Seat tube range c-t: 64.3 - 64.8
Top tube length: 54.1 - 54.5
Stem Length: 10.0 - 10.6
BB-Saddle Position: 81.6 - 83.6
Saddle-Handlebar: 54.5 - 55.1
Saddle Setback: 7.6 - 8.0

Finding a standard frame with a 61cm seat tube with a 54cm top tube will be very difficult.


Michael

Maybe you could put the stem on backwards?

Dunno... looks like you're doomed.

You might be the rare example of someone who probably needs a custom frame to get a proper fit. On a standard frame though you could go with a smaller size like a 56cm frame with a lot of seat post, 80 or 90mm stem, 175mm crankset. The way people set up racing bikes these days, that might not even look weird.

If you don't mind not having something "modern", a LOT of bikes back in the 70s and 80s came with short top tubes, like 63x56. 'Bout 2" too short for me (I like a 64x61), but might work for you.

SP
Bend, OR

Seat tube height is really not that important. You can make up for a short seat tube by showing more seat post. A standard frame will fit you.

It's a conflict of interest for me to say this, but I think a custom frame is a good idea. There's no point in buying a frame that doesn't fit you when there are so many starving framebuilders that are giving away their work. The difference in price is not significant over the lifetime of the frame.

If you don't mind not having something "modern", a LOT of bikes back in the 70s and 80s came with short top tubes, like 63x56.

SP
Bend, OR

a LOT of bikes? Please give me some examples. 63x56 is about my size, don't mind vintage.

Concur with the suggestion above about going with a custom build. Given your body measurements, you will be so much happier in the end.

Old thread is old, and OP is long gone.

hmarks: This is a zombie thread, but to answer your question, there are old Japanese lugged steel frames where the seat tube gets longer on the larger sizes but the top tube length doesn't change. It has to do the the angle of the lugs they used. The result is a tall frame with a relatively short top tube. Look at big frames from brands like Miyata, Panasonic, Centurion, maybe Univega.

For the record, I ended up with an off the rack custom Gunnar sport.

You know those first few rides of the season where you get a little neck pain or a little lower back pain? Yeah, not so much for me anymore. Cycling, like love, shouldn't hurt.

For the record, I ended up with an off the rack custom Gunnar sport.

You know those first few rides of the season where you get a little neck pain or a little lower back pain? Yeah, not so much for me anymore. Cycling, like love, shouldn't hurt.

Good to know you are still in the loop! You made the right choice by going custom with a builder like Gunnar. Congrats!

wait, was it off the rack or custom?

For the record, I ended up with an off the rack custom Gunnar sport.

You know those first few rides of the season where you get a little neck pain or a little lower back pain? Yeah, not so much for me anymore. Cycling, like love, shouldn't hurt.

Ha! Welcome back, and glad to hear that you found something. :thumb: