A Little Help Regarding Proper Fit?
#1
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A Little Help Regarding Proper Fit?
I'm a longtime fan of 1970s Raleighs but have just moved to a much bigger city and have decided I need another bike than I can drive a little more aggressively in this busy urban mega city. Between the potholes and streetcar tracks, I need a city bike.
Being a city bike, I don't want it to be too flash for fear of theft (burn in hell you damn bike theives).
I'm looking at three different used bikes right now and would like to buy one of them in the next couple of days. As each bike requires longish travel by public transportation, I don't want to waste to much time chasing bikes that won't fit. I'm hoping you folks can help me narrow down the field. In classic Raleighs, I like a 22" inch frame.
ME: 6'2" with a 30 to 31 inseam in pants. My bike inseam is about 33" (earth to p bone). As you can see, most of my height is from the waist up.
BIKE 1: A Raleigh of uncertain vintage with a reported 22" frame.
Bike 2: This one is from Cyclemania, a very well regarded local shop that has a good reputation for making a pretty good line of bikes. This one has a reported 18" frame. I don't know how that relates to the classic Raleighs that I am familiar with.
BIKE 3: This one has a "tech" brand frame and the rest has been nicely upgraded and rebuilt. It has a 56cm frame.
All three bikes are cheap cheap which fits my budget. cosmetics mean nothing to me in this case.
Any advice on fit here? I know that proper fit requires riding the bike but I can't get to all three and don't want to waste my time or the sellers' time.
Any guidance, advice, opinions?
Thanks in advance.
Being a city bike, I don't want it to be too flash for fear of theft (burn in hell you damn bike theives).
I'm looking at three different used bikes right now and would like to buy one of them in the next couple of days. As each bike requires longish travel by public transportation, I don't want to waste to much time chasing bikes that won't fit. I'm hoping you folks can help me narrow down the field. In classic Raleighs, I like a 22" inch frame.
ME: 6'2" with a 30 to 31 inseam in pants. My bike inseam is about 33" (earth to p bone). As you can see, most of my height is from the waist up.
BIKE 1: A Raleigh of uncertain vintage with a reported 22" frame.
Bike 2: This one is from Cyclemania, a very well regarded local shop that has a good reputation for making a pretty good line of bikes. This one has a reported 18" frame. I don't know how that relates to the classic Raleighs that I am familiar with.
BIKE 3: This one has a "tech" brand frame and the rest has been nicely upgraded and rebuilt. It has a 56cm frame.
All three bikes are cheap cheap which fits my budget. cosmetics mean nothing to me in this case.
Any advice on fit here? I know that proper fit requires riding the bike but I can't get to all three and don't want to waste my time or the sellers' time.
Any guidance, advice, opinions?
Thanks in advance.
#2
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I'd rule out #2 for sure. It's tiny. The other two look marginal to me; possibly #3 has a longer top tube (hard to tell). Maybe you could get adequately stretched out if you switched to moustache bars or something similar.
#3
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Bike 3 is too small as well.
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I figured #2 was small for me but hoped I was wrong. I'm a bit surprised about number 2 but I came here for guidance. Thanks for responding.
Anyone else want to weigh in?
Anyone else want to weigh in?
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As someone in the 75" club, I can say I'd look hardest at Bike #1.
Fit comes first. EVERYTHING else is secondary.
Fit comes first. EVERYTHING else is secondary.
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I am 5.11" and the 21" frame I have was too small for me untill I got a mountain bike stem and raised seat to max length.
There is another rule I just read in the manual for a new Terry seat. When pedal is forward 50/50 between up and down, knee should line up with pedal axel from the side. (i have yet to test this with my bikes to see how they measure up).
For you, just stay away from anything thats 21.5" and below, since you are taller than me.
There is another rule I just read in the manual for a new Terry seat. When pedal is forward 50/50 between up and down, knee should line up with pedal axel from the side. (i have yet to test this with my bikes to see how they measure up).
For you, just stay away from anything thats 21.5" and below, since you are taller than me.
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So: The pedal should be in a straight line down from the major axis of the knee hinge when it's level; the handlebar should completely obscure the front hub when on the drops; and meeting these two criteria should not cause searing pain. That's what I go by and I have yet to have a bike returned for improper fit.
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Thanks again for the advice. I'll see if I can test the white Raleigh today or tomorrow. Right now, it looks like it is about to pour.
BTW, bike #1 is a Raleigh Ambush. Anyone have any info on it?
BTW, bike #1 is a Raleigh Ambush. Anyone have any info on it?
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As it happens, the seller of the "tech", #3, bike offered to drive it over today.
Pretty good for height but the handlebars seemed far to close.
Pretty good for height but the handlebars seemed far to close.
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My boyfriend is about 6'3" and requires a bike around the 62cm size. Similar to you, a lot of his height is waist up. Of course, your anatomy is probably still very different from his, but you may want to consider finding and trying out some bigger bikes to see how they feel. You might find that they are even more comfortable.
Vintage mountain bikes might be a good fit for you, as they are usually longer in the top tube -- not to mention the are generally cheap right now, and most are really good rides. It looks like you're looking at mostly hybrid/mountain frames anyway.
It might also be worth your while to look at some road frames with drop bars. There are some good touring bikes you can fit wide tires on, as well as fenders and racks that are good for riding in the city.
Though out of the three bikes you listed, to me it looks like the 3rd one might be a good fit, especially if you were to fit some moustache bars on it to let you stretch out a little more.
Vintage mountain bikes might be a good fit for you, as they are usually longer in the top tube -- not to mention the are generally cheap right now, and most are really good rides. It looks like you're looking at mostly hybrid/mountain frames anyway.
It might also be worth your while to look at some road frames with drop bars. There are some good touring bikes you can fit wide tires on, as well as fenders and racks that are good for riding in the city.
Though out of the three bikes you listed, to me it looks like the 3rd one might be a good fit, especially if you were to fit some moustache bars on it to let you stretch out a little more.