kaltsoplyn

Hi all,

I found a crazy deal for a new, unused salsa ala carte 2008 frame.
I'd like to get it and build it with drop dirt bars and fat 26" or 650B tyres, kind of like this

However, I'm 5'9" and the frame is large. As a rider I like big frames rather than small ones. Usually when I'm between sizes, I round up...er... sometimes I round up two sizes. It's that feeling of being on top of the world...

Besides I'm not too fast or anything, I don't do technical mountain biking etc. I 'm going to use this as an all-rounder, day-to-day city bike, maybe ride a dirt trail and such.

But even so, will this be a little too big for me?
will the drop bars make it much worse?

What do you guys think?

fietsbob

No measurements offered , no opinion.

kaltsoplyn

Fair enough. Since the ala carte is fairly popular, I was looking for an answer by someone who has either the M or L size frame and is about my height with regular proportions.

But you' re right. So if this helps:

My current everyday bike is a totally reconstructed peugeot road diamond frame which measures:

ST: 59 cm [23.2"]
TT: 58 cm [22.8"]
BB drop: 75 mm
BB to saddle: 73 cm [28.7"]
Stem: 80 mm
2" riser bars
(can't measure angles, I 'll probably mess them up)

Taller guys than me find it big. I like it. I even find I'm maybe too upright.

The L ala carte is a compact frame with (this is the 2010 geometry, but I think it hasn't changed much in the last two years):

ST: 51 cm [20"]
TT: 61.5 cm (effective) [24"]
BB drop: 35 mm
ST angle: 73
HT angle: 71
Suspension corrected fork

and, unless I'm still growing taller in my thirties, I must measure something like:
Inseam: 81 cm [32"]
Arm: 65 cm [25.5"]
Total Body Height: 175 cm [5'9"]

As you see, what I'm worried about is the combination of longer TT + drop bars.
Maybe it will just be a matter of personal preference, but any input will be welcome.

kaltsoplyn

No one? well, guess I'm gonna go for it anyway.