aquateen

I'd like to make the ad as informative as possible. Along with sizes, multiple pictures, and detailed specs, anything else I should include?

72Paramount

I would steer clear of giving a height range. Instead I would say "I have this 21" frame bicycle that has a stand over height of xx. The components are as follows xxxx. Thanks for looking. With bike adds I tend to let the pictures do the talking.

Sir_Name 

Tricky question. What type of bike? MTB, road, hybrid? What brand / quality level? High end, the ST, TT (at minimum) should suffice. Anything else, a suggested set of (people) sizes may help move it in the recreational/commuter/etc. market. I'd add a caveat of 'should fit' rather than 'will fit'. Let buyers test ride for a final decision if comfortable with that. Have tools to adjust seatpost and stem height if you want to help get the fit close.

FYI, as a buyer, if I'm looking at an add and see suggested (people) sizes rather than bike dimensions I'll come to the bartering table at a slightly different angle.

aquateen

It's recreational quality so I figured a recreational buyer might want to know the size range.

aquateen

also it's a road bike but I turned it into a townie.

repechage

I think that is good.

musicdiver

I don't think it's unreasonable to list a 'possible' range. Of course still post the stand over, tt & st and whatever other measurements along with components to appeal to 'bike people', but there are plenty of buyers on CL who wouldn't have any idea. While a range might unnecessarily eliminate potential buyers just outside the given range who might actually find it to be a good fit, it's more likely to save the 5'6" would-be-buyer from wasting their time and the seller's time coming out to test a 60cm frame.

likebike23

I've found most people are clueless when it comes to bike sizes, they generally think wheel size is the size. I would think that if you said it has an "x" standover and should fit riders between 5'5" and 5'9" that you would get more responses.

JohnDThompson 

Yes. Much better to let a prospective buyer try it in person.

Scooper

If it's a road frame with traditional geometry (a level top tube) you could use this chart to approximate rider fit. Note that the chart uses the seat tube measurement from the center of the crank to the top of the seat tube.

21" = 53.34cm, so you could say it would fit riders between 5'4" and 5'8" depending on rider's leg length.

eschlwc

height range (and pants inseam) actually helps people. and i don't have time to show the 6'3" clueless guy my 56cm bike.

Lascauxcaveman 

I agree. Most people shopping for a bike on CL don't necessarily know what size will fit them best. They're shopping on CL because they're looking for a used deal that is going to be a lot cheaper than going to a bike shop. You're doing them a service if you include a reasonable size range the bike will fit. And you'll save time by not entertaining a lot of enquiries from people who won't be able to ride the bike anyway.

noglider 

I don't know what the bottom of the range is, but I would suggest 5'10" for the top of the range. Some people that tall can ride a road bike of that size.

mstateglfr 

Whenever I sell a bike, I list the size in both inches and cm(and say how its measured- c to c or c to t). I also list the standover height. And I give a range of 5" or so that typically should fit the bike.

To me, more info is better. If the person looking doesn't know their frame size, perhaps this will lead them to find out. At the very least, it allows them to determine if the bike is worth looking at or not based on the standover height.
Why waste a 5'4 woman's time if the standover is 32"?

Perhaps setting a range limits the prospective buyer pool, but it also helps refine the buyer pool to more realistic possibilities.
Those that do look are serious and expecting the bike to be an actual possibility. I have better things to do than show random people a bike they cant ride.

nlerner

I also usually list a range when I try to sell a bike on CL. And if it's a size that fits me, I usually say that, too (e.g., "I'm 5'10" and this bike fits me perfectly."). For noob buyers, seat tube measurement and standover height don't mean much.

4funbikes

Even with all the above information mentioned, I ask the potential buyer's height before getting too involved. Often times they don't look any further than price and pictures.

72Paramount

I like scoopers chart. Maybe I'll include it as a pic next time I sell one.