Do you prefer a size smaller or bigger for commuting?
06-07-10, 02:36 PM
#1
Kitten Legion Master
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 900
Bikes: Fuji silhouette, Dawes SST-aL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do you prefer a size smaller or bigger for commuting?
If you were a between size, but had to chose, what would you be more comfortable with?
06-07-10, 02:47 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 104
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For my touring bike (Trek 520 that I use to commute on also), I went bigger because if I went one size down, the saddle to bar drop would make the bike too uncomfortable for me. It would have been a more agressive riding position that I just do not like for commuting/touring. I have really long legs and shorter torso so, I just got a smaller stem and the fit works for me. It isn't perfect but, that is why my next bike will be a custom made frame.
06-07-10, 02:57 PM
#3
Senior Member
Bigger. I have two road bikes. My commuter is 60cm and my weekend bike is 58cm. For commuting, I like having saddle and bars about even for better visibility in traffic. Weekend bike is more about lessening wind resistance.
06-07-10, 03:14 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Boise, ID.
Posts: 1,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I prefer larger frames. My touring bike is 25", or 63.5cm (albeit that is a lower bottom bracket), and my Motobecane is a 59cm. I'm 5'11.
06-07-10, 03:19 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 2,324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
My road bike is slightly too big for me, but after a stem change and turning the seatpost 180 degrees so I am in the right position it feels great 
06-07-10, 03:30 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
Whichever is cheaper.
Shows where my priorities are.
Actually I'm sure it would depend on the individual bike. I might get a larger frame if the top tube tends to run short, or a smaller frame if the top tube is on the long side.
Shows where my priorities are.
Actually I'm sure it would depend on the individual bike. I might get a larger frame if the top tube tends to run short, or a smaller frame if the top tube is on the long side.
06-07-10, 03:37 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 260
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
06-07-10, 04:13 PM
#9
Older than dirt
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Well, looks like I'm the opposing view. I'm a "tweener" size myself, and prefer to size down. Can throw the bike around easier if need be.
That said, on a touring bike I'd size up, just for the comfort.
That said, on a touring bike I'd size up, just for the comfort.
06-07-10, 06:36 PM
#10
Papaya King
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Columbus, Ohio (Grandview area)
Posts: 1,640
Bikes: 2009 Felt X City D, 1985 (?) Trek 400, 1995 (?) Specialized Rockhopper, 1995 Trek 850
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Bigger for me. I hate feeling cramped up on a bike. I also don't like having a lot of seatpost showing because, as others have pointed out, it puts the seat too high for the bars, at least for me. Of course, as others also said, it depends on the bike.
06-07-10, 07:35 PM
#12
The Fat Guy In The Back
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 2,532
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 320 Post(s)
Liked 176 Times
in
115 Posts
My road bike is a hair too large, and my commuter is a hair too small. I think I prefer the hair too small.
__________________
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
06-07-10, 08:40 PM
#14
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I hate being cramped.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
06-07-10, 08:43 PM
#15
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,814
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12757 Post(s)
Liked 7,672 Times
in
4,070 Posts
Road bike - bigger. MTB - smaller. Unless it's an early 80s MTB with short toptube, then MTB - bigger.
Also bigger, 'til the snows come, then smaller, with smaller wheels shod with fatter tires, possibly with spikes.
Also bigger, 'til the snows come, then smaller, with smaller wheels shod with fatter tires, possibly with spikes.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BikeSkiTennis
Commuting
38
10-15-12 10:42 AM
