Bicycle Mechanics - Is this safe?

I know it looks funky but I was given this frame and want to use the parts I have. It's a *bit* small (19.5" according to the frame) but not too uncomfortable. I'm concerned about the extra long fork tube with spacers. It's got that neck extention National Geographic thing going on-- even the frame color is National Geographic-like.... The seatpost (which came with the frame, a Thompson no less) is really long; no worries there.

Looks more than a "bit" small if that is the setup you need to use to fit the bike. Keep the good parts and get a frame that is the correct size.

How big are you? 19.5" isn't considered all that small for a mtb. If that seat/post adds another 16" and the cranks are 175mm, then you'd need to be almost a 40" inseam to work the crank. (right?)

Looks alright to me, as long as that seatpost isn't past the minimum insertion mark.

Is your seatpost raised above the minimum insert line? Is that the steerer tube with 14 spacers? Depening on your weight and riding style, it might be safer if you leave the setup as is, without a chain. I really don't know, but I would wear a helmet! It certainly looks radical.

One trick you can do to take spacers out of the front is to get a suspension fork. That would raise you a good bit.

One trick you can do to take spacers out of the front is to get a suspension fork. That would raise you a good bit.
And screw up the handling.
I don't think there's a saftely problem, as long as the seat post is not above the min. insertion mark. It might not fit/ride like you want or would be ideal but...

And screw up the handling.
I don't think there's a saftely problem, as long as the seat post is not above the min. insertion mark. It might not fit/ride like you want or would be ideal but...
Agreed

How big are you? 19.5" isn't considered all that small for a mtb. If that seat/post adds another 16" and the cranks are 175mm, then you'd need to be almost a 40" inseam to work the crank. (right?)

I'm 6'3", 6'8" with the 'fro. :D

There are 80mm worth of spacers there. I had to put the headset on (first time doing that and did it with my homemade headset press. I learned about it from this forum, thank you all) and the fork, wheels, pedals just to see how it would generally fit. I agree it's small but it *is* here (and did I mention free?)

The seatpost is not past the minimum insertion point-- it's 410mm. Pulling it out I didn't think it'd end...

Chuckie

There are 80mm worth of spacers there.

ChuckieWhile it's way beyond my personal comfort level I have an older friend who has a similar setup. He's been riding with an uncut steerer and a buttload of spacers for as long as I've known the guy.

And screw up the handling.


Oh please.
I converted my formerly rigid race mtb from a 7 inch stem to 90mm stem and 80mm travel fork and it was the best handling mod I have ever done. Honestly, not to sound too blunt, but with a stem like that on there is there really handling to lose ?
If in doubt, see if you can snag a spare off a friend and trial fit it. To remove the suspension hieght is where the trouble can occur. Adding it will slacken the steering angle, which makes it stable and less twitchy. The degree of this slackening depends on the particular frame design, but from the looks of it you have the margin to play with.