Originally Posted by jar351

A word about frame size: I also thought this frame looked bigger from the photos than it actually measures. My theory is that this is owing to the relatively high bottom bracket, which effectively shortens the seat tube. To confuse things more, the previous owner had listed it on CL as a 53.5cm, center-to-top. I knew that just couldn't be right so I emailed him, asking whether he hadn't mistakenly measured vertically, rather than along the seat tube. He emailed me back, saying that the "true measurement" was vertical. On what planet that's true, I'm not sure, but at that point I just decided to trust my eye, which told me I was looking at a 56-58cm frame. Turns out, like the rest of you, I overestimated. Which brings me to my point: how do you all estimate frame size from photos? As for me, I always focus on the headtube, as seen in profile. I try to imagine my hand gripping it, with my fingers on the inside of the "triangle". If I think my four fingers will just fit in there, I'm 90% certain the frame is my size, 56cm (c-c). Are there any other tricks? (I know it's always best to actually measure, but sometimes this isn't possible and sometimes the owner of the bike is clueless as to how to measure or can't explain their methodology clearly.)