I used to ride bicycles with a 54cm seat tube, measured center to center. Then, back at the turn of the century, three guys tried to rob me, the bike endoed and I went, head first, into the ground, breaking my neck in two places. I got up (left arm dead and useless) and prepared for battle. But they bailed (thank goodness or this story might never have been told).

When I finally healed (actually, still healing fifteen years late), I found the 54 too small...



...so I went to 56+cm and it felt better...



...then, on a six month journey that is just about over now, I picked up a 60cm Marinoni and, guess what..?



...It is even more comfortable for me to ride than I would have ever expected.

The point is, different riding size range depends on many things, in my book.

How big I am, of course. How old I am (yup, this is an enormous factor in determining bike size, believe it or not and for many unavoidable reasons), what type of riding I intend for that particular ride, where I intend to ride on that particular ride...

The point is, so many things impact what will be just the right bicycle/size for any given situation, or combination of situations. This old Peugeot and even older rider spent close to 3000km together this winter past. The Pug is 56cm and, thanks to some weight loss and strength improvement, the bike fit just fine...



These day, most of my bikes are about 56cm...



I will never, again, pass on a bicycle purchase just because its size does not match the size the experts say that I should use. I am not exactly sure what this Bianchi Pro Race Team is, but I bought it anyway, while I was in Jamaica. The bike is waiting in Thunder Bay and I am looking forward to that first ride, to say the least...