Making the wrong size right
 

Hate to sound so cheap, but I convinced myself I need a touring bike and I could get the job done with a used bke for now. I looked for what seems forever never either finding one or if I did realizing it was the wrong size. I stopped at a yard sale in an affluent neighborhood and there sat a trek 620 in what looked to me to be like new condition perfect in every way. The standover height is barely acceptable and I know that it is way too big that way.Owner,s daughter did not know size but I rode it around block and it felt good. For fifty bucks I thoughtI could flip it or trade so I bought it.
I compared it to my road bike that is my size and found that if I lowered the seat to it's lowest setting and changed the stem I could get the measurements in relation to my other bike the same except for the standover height(I can still standover the bike it just presses up tight)

What am I missing or is it true that one can take a bike that would never really be considered your size and make it work with a stem change. It feels right so I had the old Maillard hubs and wheels upgraded. If this is the wrong area to post let meknow, but because I am considering doing some real touring I wanted to know if if there my choice is flawed.

What size is it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-80s-TREK-620...d=253612794616

so is it a tourer i taught the 720 was treks touring bike ,anyway for 50 bucks yeah i would make a few adjustments, just make sure your not over stretched and you can get the perfect saddle height.
does it have all the brazeons you need for racks /fenders .
have fun hope it does the trick.

If you can stand flat footed straddling the top tube , and have a wee bit if you over the tube,
It shuld be OK.
60 years ago even race bike sizing was taller. standover + an inch.

If it feels ok to ride then it's ok. The top tube will be a bit long for you and this may stretch you out but Touring bikes are traditionally generous in the geometry and should be comfortable rather than racing machines. The true test will come when you do a long ride, if it hurts your back then you'll need to re-think, but there's still things you can do like shortening the stem and sliding the saddle forward. We do love a bargain don't we. :)

I checked and according to the vintage trek site this is a 24. My roadbike size is 56cm and I believe that makes me size 22.5. I don't have any standover room at all. It is touching but not uncomfortable. by standing both bikes side by side seat height is same after adjustment, height of bars same, distance from seat to handle bars the 620 is negligibly longer almost the same. From seat to pedals positioned horizontally is same. I guess I will just start taking it on longer rides and see how it feels.

Just raise the bar so they are higher than the saddle. That will take vare of any reach issues you may have.

You got a good deal......

Just remember fluffy tires will add to the standover. I put some 700x42 tires on my 63.5cm straight top tube bike and it just seemed a bit too tall. If you have just a smidgen o' clearance (with shoes on) it will be fine for on road touring. Also, having the bars even with the saddle or slightly higher on a touring bike looks normal.

I rode a 24" Holdsworth Mistral for decades even though it probably was technically too big for me. That's what the bike shop fitted me on and it worked and I was comfortable on it. My Trek 720 that I bought a few years ago in a bike swap for $120 (a good deal I couldn't pass up) is a 22.5" frame, and yes, it fits me better than the 24" Holdsworth, but the "too big" Holdsworth did give me years of good service.

So give it a go! I bet you'll be able to make the 620 work well.

PS You got a great deal!

Seeing how much Trek 620's go for on eBay and here around Chicago, seems like you should be able to flip that bike for enough to money to buy another, just as good but not quite as sought after vintage tourer that actually fits you, along with many of the other things you'll need (racks, panniers, fenders, etc.) Could probably get $400+ for the Trek in good shape, while you see Univega, Panasonic, Nishiki, and other touring bikes of similar quality and vintage go for $200-250 regularly.

You bought a bike (and got a really good deal) you didn't marry it.
Ride it and if you like it, keep it.
If you don't like it, sell it.

but most of all, relax and enjoy.
I have to keep telling myself that.

I think standover height is one of the least important dimensions, although if you forget, hop off the saddle, and smash your family jewels, it will probably be very important.

You want to be comfortable on a tourer. Small things can become big when you're riding all day, day after day after day. You can tweak fit by raising or lowering the seatpost, sliding the saddle forward or backward (and changing the tilt) and swapping the stem for something that does what you want.

Don't ignore the reach to the bars. If you're too stretched out you won't be comfortable.

When you're buying a new bike you should get exactly what you want, fit-wise. When you get a reallly good deal used you can do fine on a bike that isn't exactly right but is close. Keep tweaking the fit and enjoy the ride!

Well put!

I've heard it may be tricky and not always possible with the 620 but if you can swap the 27" wheels for 700c you will lose a little of the overall bike and standover height. It may be worth experimenting if you have a set of 700c wheels available.

I have the reverse situation - I picked up a 21" 620 and normally ride a 23". Where do you live? What ever happens you got a great deal on a great bike. What year is it?