Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

make this bike work or choose another?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

make this bike work or choose another?

Old 07-03-07, 01:42 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Jose, Ca
Posts: 1,213

Bikes: 09 Specialized Tricross Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
make this bike work or choose another?

I'm in the market for what I guess is best called an "urban" bike- flat handle bar, 700c wheels, rigid frame. I want something that I can ride on pavement, not trails, I would like it to be tough enough that I can occasionally hop on and off curbs on it, and I would like it's gearing to be conducive to speed as I only want to use it along the valley floor; no desire to do hills on this thing.

So far, the bike that best meets that description is the REI Novara Big Buzz. Here's a snapshot of it's web page:
https://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=...icp=1&.intl=us

The only problem is it's available size vs. my body's size; it's largest available size is a 20" and the REI salespeople have basically told me that it's too small for me. At 6'2" and with a 32" inseam, my standover height on the bike is around 4" and when I have the seat at its appropriate height (so that I have only a slight bend in my knee with the pedal at the bottom of its travel) the seat is quite a bit higher than the handle bars. That seat height has my body pretty leaned forward and during a long test ride, my back started to complain.

My first thought was to just use a different stem, but the salesperson instantly said that that would change the handling, as if that would be a disaster. As for the stem that comes on the bike, it looks pretty long and low to me (don't know the measurements, though ) and the handlebars are totally flat.

To finally get to my question, would it really be a bad idea for me to buy this bike and try to "make" it fit my body by using a riser stem and handle bar? Or should I just choose a different bike?
thirdin77 is offline  
Old 07-03-07, 01:56 AM
  #2  
cs1
Senior Member
 
cs1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Clev Oh
Posts: 7,091

Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 225 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 22 Posts
Originally Posted by thirdin77
To finally get to my question, would it really be a bad idea for me to buy this bike and try to "make" it fit my body by using a riser stem and handle bar? Or should I just choose a different bike?
Yes it would. Try Specialized, they have a lot of nice flatbar roadbikes that are built for abuse. Good luck

Tim
cs1 is offline  
Old 07-03-07, 07:43 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Retro Grouch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times in 363 Posts
Rretrofitting a bike with a riser stem or a stem riser or something like that might work but it sounds like a "Plan B" kind of thing to me.

Since you're buying a brand new bike I'd recommend looking around a little more to find something that will work without such modifications.
Retro Grouch is offline  
Old 07-03-07, 09:33 AM
  #4  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: western Washington
Posts: 293
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Fit should be the first concern. You're at the time of year when dealers are starting to clear merchandise for '08 stuff--I'd look at Trek and Gary Fisher, too. Look at the least expensive hybrid that'll get you mechanical disc brakes.
oscaregg is offline  
Old 07-03-07, 09:47 AM
  #5  
Banned
 
Bikepacker67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ogopogo's shoreline
Posts: 4,082

Bikes: LHT, Kona Smoke

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
WTF is it with manufactures cutting off sizes at 20" and lower???!
I see more male cyclists around here hanging over too small frames. Is this just the latest in laziness after 'compact frames'?
Bikepacker67 is offline  
Old 07-03-07, 09:49 AM
  #6  
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,215

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 225 Posts
I'm pleased with my '03 Big Buzz but it fit me out of the box. Well...except I needed a longer seat post. It's rugged, the disc brakes are great, the gearing is appropriate for my riding (38/46 crank with a wide range cassette), handling is fine. I couldn't find any other comparable bikes locally in '03 so I bought mine online from Seattle.
Find a bike that fits - the selection is better now.
JanMM is offline  
Old 07-03-07, 09:51 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
rando's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 2,968
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
find another one. riding a bike that doesn't fit is no fun. (I know, I've done it)
__________________
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen

Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
rando is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.