Originally Posted by
ClanLee
I guess I'm confused... so for touring bikes, you don't purchase as you would for a road bike? When I heard that the bike was 53 cm, I thought that it would fit. One thing about me is that I have the shorter legs/longer torso. From your picture, I see that you raised the handle bars quite high, is that normal for touring?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm just starting to look into touring and have been spending most of my time reading tour diaries.
No, you probably would get a "normal" sized frame these days. Back then we thought that a smaller frame could be stronger. Another reason for me to go with a smaller frame was that my kiddos were little back then & I pulled a trailer a lot. So I was on & off the saddle, starting & stopping a lot as my kiddos were learning how to ride their own bikes too. Think lower top tube, less chance for accidental contact with said top tube whilst jumping off the seat for a sudden stop (OUCH).
Handle bars for many touring folk end up even with the seat or a little higher.
Again, THE best thing to do would be to take that bike for a test ride.