Classic & Vintage - Seeking advice on sizing, and information on this company.

I hope it's safe to post about questions about this here; a vintage track bicycle. The "other board" will probably want me to put multi colored grips and riser bars on this. It's vintage, and I have hopes of getting my bike kicked on it at the local velodrome (we actually have one!). My reasoning for posting here, is I already mentioned why not on the other board, and I don't think it belongs on the Track forum due to the frames age.

For some reason the fact that it's a swedish made bike intrigues me. Has anyone ever heard of this company before?

But the problem...about 5'11 with a cycling inseam of 32. The CtC on this one is 58cm and the sellers claims it has a standover of 33 1/2!? This bike is completely out of my size isn't it? :cry: Can I make it work or asking for trouble?

Follow up, how do you vintage peeps deal with finding a beautiful bike possibly out of your size range?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/rare-swedish-MONARK-CRESCENT-TRACK-fixed-gear-bike-FRAME-pista-58cm-/110751353725?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c94b8b7d


MODS: In the event that I over stepped some boundaries by posting this here, please just delete. Don't bother moving to one of the other boards if you would. :thumb:

I have seen some of the Monark Crescent bikes from the 70's and they were a production bike.
The size is a bit of a problem only due to the higher bottom bracket, pushing up the standover, assuming it is 58 cm center to top, not center to center.
The price is not a deal and not way too much. As a road oriented track bike, it appears to have clincher tires, campagnolo cranks, and maybe Campagnolo hubs.

This seller has a storefront in the Costa Mesa / Newport Beach area.

My approx guess is this bike is from the 80's.

I am not familiar with Monarch bicycles. I can tell you a couple of things about frames and bicycle racing that may help. First off, if you live near a velodrome, you are already as close to bargains on racing bikes as you will ever be. Go the track and ask around.

That bike is old and likely a bit heavier than it needs to be for racing. It may have collectable value and you could certainly ride in a velodrome but you could do the same on a Raleigh Competition or any number of 70's/80's road frames for a lot less money.

I am 5'11 and ride a 58.

good luck!

Thanks for the advice! I know this bike will be heavy, and such..I think I should just clarify and say:

The vintage nerd in me, wants a vintage track bike. And a vintage track bike that's swedish seems really damn cool.


I think I'm more looking for advice in that: will I be completely dwarfed on this bike? Haha. the 33 1/2 standover kinda intimidates me.

Sigh, I think I may end up biting the bullet on this one :x

Here is a excellent article about frame sizing. It is a good place to start. Choosing a Frame Size (http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=41)

You and I are the same size and I ride a 58cm (c-t-c).

Here is a excellent article about frame sizing. It is a good place to start. Choosing a Frame Size (http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=41)

You and I are the same size and I ride a 58cm (c-t-c).

Oh thanks! Thanks for the link too, a lot of it made a ton of sense.