View Single Post
Old 08-12-08 | 06:08 AM
  #22  
fearfeasog's Avatar
fearfeasog
Gaeilgeoir
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Holyoke, MA

Bikes: 2003 Giant Iguana (ONCE yellow), '86 Team Fuji (Blue/Yellow), '87 Schwinn Le Tour (Frost White)

Originally Posted by peripatetic
Ha. Whoops. Thanks for catching that.

Fearfeasog, in answer to your question, I've learnt mainly through trial and error what sizes I like to ride. Sometimes, a 21-inch/53 cm frame will fit, but sometimes, it just feels too cramped: top tube lengths vary. Unfortunately, however, 22-inch frames usually crowd me a bit in the crotch. This is where adjusting w/ stem lengths comes into play. You sound like you have a slightly longer inseam than I do, though, which gives you more options.

I've found the general rule-of-thumb works well for me as far as the top length: if I look down at the front wheel, the hub is not visible beneath my handlebars. When the hub is visible by anything more than about a cm, I tend to feel crowded when tucked into the drops. That's how I tend to gauge it. One of the pieces I've read about bicycle fit is at http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/. He basically describes what kind of 'feel' factors one should look at as far as fit goes. And that's really the most important part--not numbers or measurements, but feel.

One thing that might render that Shogun unappealing, btw, is the seatpost--make sure it's not stuck into the seattube. If it is, realize you will have to kill yourself to get it out.
good point. never would have thought of that, thanks!
fearfeasog is offline  
Reply