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Old 09-06-12 | 07:51 AM
  #13  
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Phil_gretz
Zip tie Karen
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,005
Likes: 1,546
From: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX

Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100

DO NOT buy a first road bike over the internet based on any fit calculations made independent of (a) the bike's unique geometry and sizing, and (b) a knowledgeable road bike rider to help you personally. Your chances of success aren't good. Worst that can happen? Your bike will not fit you and you'll spend additional money trying to optimize a bad situation with setback seatposts, shorter/longer stems, awkward rotation of the handlebars, etc.

You must be able to find a few bicycles to try. Do you have a local want ads or craigslist listing? Can you travel to one or two bikes for sale to try them? Can you make detailed notes about what works and what doesn't, and the corresponding measurements made accurately and repeatably between different bikes? Then, you might have a chance buying over the web later...
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