Sorry to bring this thread up again but I'm just figuring out all the logistics before I pull the trigger on an IRO Mark V (since I'm actually at OSU now). I had a couple of miscellaneous questions:
1) I'm trying to figure out which size to get ... 56 cm (31 in standover) or 59 cm (32 in standover). I just measured from the point between my legs to my pubic bone and it's 31.375 in. I'm guessing I should go with the 56 cm (31 inch standover) IRO Mark V? I'm 5'9.5" (to be exact) and 170 lbs if that helps at all.
2) Just to double check once again ... if I get the SS version of the IRO Mark V and ask for a cog and lockring ... I should be good to in terms of what I need to switch back and forth between FG and SS right? Also, having brakes on both front and back won't be a big deal if I decide to go with the SS setup?
3) Right now I think I may just go with a flat handlebar. But some time in the future I may try a nitto rb-021 or syntace stratos since I think I will like the bullhorn style. Since I am planning on getting a flat handlebar and thus cross lever brakes ... how do I arrange the brakes for the nitto and syntace when I try them out in the future ... cross lever brakes or drop lever brakes? Also, bar width will depend on my shoulder width right ... I measured my shoulder width to be 48.5 cm. I think the nitto rb-021 comes in 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46 cm handlebar sizes. Does that mean I should probably get the 46 cm size?
4) For crank size I have the choices of 165, 170, or 175 mm. From this website (
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm) I read about the 18.5% rule where if you take the length from the floor to the top of your femur and multiply by 18.5% you get the optimum crank size. The number for me using this rule was 159 mm. Should I go with 165 or 175 mm? Note that I have not yet decided between FG and SS and will probably be playing around with both.
5) I have three choices for cog freewheel tooth: 16, 17, or 18 tooth. I went and read this archived thread about it but still am unsure what the best would be:
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-437128.html ... I think sticking with a standard 16 is probably best and if it's harder than 17 and 18 then I'll just have to get stronger.
6) I have two choices for stem size: 100 or 110 mm. I'm not sure which one is better for me ... I assume with the 100 mm I will be crouched down more and with the 110 mm I will be more upright?
Any advice is appreciated!