hi, thanks for that reply.

firstly i'm 6ft tall and the bike is 50cm. i know that is seriously small but the manufacturer (merida) recomends (but doesn't maunfacture?!?) a 52 for someone my height and its not that uncomfortable so it may not be a standard 50cm.

another gear and a half would suit i think even just going up to a 28 on the back would do it, i just needed that one more gear...a triple would be a step to far i think and i do get up to 30 mph on a good road.

and yeah i thought about second hand but there isn't much of a market in china for second hand 'quality bikes' that aren't stolen.


thanks again