bpatters69

Hello Folks,

I have two older Bikes that are in my shed. One is a Huffy and the other is Evolution or Revolution (Can't remember the name and I am at work). Both bikes appear to be Road type bikes vs what I would have called a 10-speed (showing my age now). Both bikes have thicker tires and at least one has what I would call more off-road type tires. I don't think either is a full off-road bike and they are both for road and the occasioanal off-road ride. Both have some rust and both need some parts replaced but I am fairly handy so I think I could handle the maintenance.

Now for the questions. I am learning about Bike frame size in relationship to the rider and I know that because I am 6'2" I should have a bike that is approximately 22". I have also read that there is a lot more that goes into sizing a bike for a rider than a simple measurement of the rider's height.

1. I am about 90% sure that neither bike is tall enough but I will measure each to determine the frame size. If both bikes are too small, can I buy an extended seat and handlebar set to make up the difference?

2. Neither bike has any type of gear shifts. Can gear shifts be added?

3. In general, can I switch out tires that are more designed for off-road to tires that are more geared for road use?

Sorry for the noob questions. I realize that there may be no straight answer to my questions, ie yes, no or maybe. In terms of what I want to do with a bike, we have a younger dog who is about 1 1/2 and I need a way to exercise her vs the two walks I take her per day. I already bought one of those Walkeydog devices now I just need to get one of the two bikes working. I am not above buying a new or second hand bike but I would like to fix what I have if that makes sense. Which brings me to my final question:

4. I have seen a lot of used Bike's on Craig's list. What is the best way to ask the sellers the size of the bike - "What frame size?".

5. What kind of bike should I look for on Craig's list, ie what are the "buzz" words? Cruiser? Road, etc? Like I said I want a bike for exercising my dog and also taking occasional short trips around town. I don't expect to ride for more than about 5 - 10 miles at the most.

Thanks, Bill

TallRider

For a road bike, you'd probably want a frame that's more like 23-25" (seat tube measurement).
There are lots of variables in frame sizing though. Technically, there's no problem if a bike isn't "tall enough", except as that relates to whether:
a) you can get the saddle high enough, and the handlebars at a comfortable height
b) the handlebars are too close to you - frames with shorter seat tubes usually have shorter top tubes

You can buy longer seatposts and handlebar stems to work on the fit of a bike. I'm 6'5" and most of my bikes have long-ish stems and seatposts, even starting out with large frames.

If neither bike has gear-shifting, then they are definitely not 10-speeds

Given that the bikes are apparently single-speed models, and old and rusty, requiring work, with the wrong tires, and too small...
I would strongly recommend that you buy on Craigslist.


Which brings to the question of asking about frame size. You should ask about the length of the seat tube (measured from the Center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube), and about the length of the top tube (measured from the center of the seat tube to the center of the head tube). And see pictures. Or see the bike in person and try riding it once you have a sense that it's in the ballpark of fitting you.

Here's a basic article about fitting, on Sheldon Brown's website. Includes some links.

framebuilder Peter White also has a nice article on how to fit a bicycle.

HillRider

Tim has it right. Both bikes are too small, too poor condition and too low quality to be worth putting any money or effort into. Donate both to a thrift shop and get something the right size and configuration.

I also agree you need a much larger frame than 22" (56cm). I'm 5'9" and that's what I ride. I expect you need something in the 25" (62-63cm) range.

Craig's List can have some great bargains but, unless you know what you need, it can be a real trap. Unless money is an insurmountable issue, visit a reputable local bike shop (NOT Target, Wal-Mart, Dicks, etc.) and have them show you a reasonably priced road bike. They will be sure the frame is the correct size and the bike fits. You may be able to get last year's or an '07 leftover at a very good price.

TallRider

Very good point. I'm so used to using Craigslist to help friends buy bikes, but a substantial amount of background knowledge is necessary to consistently do that well. Otherwise it could be a huge PITA.

wrk101

+1 Forget about adjusting bike, find one of the right size. Kind of like trying to adjust a size ten shoe to fit a size 15 foot. All the proportions of the bike are off, not just the seat height.

-1 Not so sure much knowledge is needed to buy off of Craigs List. Do a little surfing of this site, look at the catch of the day thread, and you will quickly become familiar with the good brands. Then when one pops up on Craigs List, pounce on it immediately. The great deals do not last long enough for additional research and Q & A.

Sturmcrow

The problem is that there are a lot of decent brands and a lot of crappy brands. Those of us with some experience know to stay away from brands like huffy, newer schwinn, newer mongoose, next, free spirit, etc, etc. The list of decent brands is pretty much endless. I'm thinking lesser known ones like Marin, Jamis, Kona, Redline, and such (lesser known than Trek, Bianchi, C-dale, etc). There are a lot of "Shimano Equipped" bikes out there that I wouldn't take the time to spit on, much less work on.

Doohickie

Look for a 25" bike; I'm 6'-2" and that's what I ride. Here are a couple of my bikes. You can find similar bikes on Craigslist. The best way I know to quickly gage the size of a bicycle frame from a picture is to look at the length of the head tube where the fork goes through. Here are two 25" frame bikes that fit me well:





This one is a 23" frame. It's a little small for me, but I could probably make it fit.



Just looking at the head tubes you can see the first two are tall bikes, the third one is kind of medium-tall.

badmother

Road bike to "walk" a dog??

Best is a "step trough" or maybe a folder, something more than one person could enjoy also, and easy to take in the car if going some place.

bpatters69

Thanks All.

What is the head tube?

HillRider

"Road Bike" as apart from "Mountain Bike". It could be a real drop bar road bike, a hybrid, etc. but the OP wanted gears and something beyond the beach cruiser/department store level of bikes.

Who knows, maybe the 5-10 mile rides around town turn into a real interest if he gets a bike good enough to be rewarding.

His "What's a headtube" question implies he really needs good guidence in choosing a bike and Craig's List is not where you get it.

wrk101

+1 If you don't know what a headtube is, either have a friend help you or go to a dealer.

If you want to learn on your own, search this site and the Parks Tools maintenance site, and you will quickly become expert.

bpatters69

Thanks for all the replies. I will do more searching. I wanted to show the two bikes that are in my shed. Neither is rideable and I will probably end up chucking both of them. I also measured each according the frame sizing guide on Dawes website and both bikes are 19" which is too small. I figure I need a bike that is 20 or 21" at least. Here are some pictures of the two bikes. The greenish blue one is in better shape than the black one.:

Greenish Bike:



Black Bike




Like I said - I don't think either is worth repairing or riding.

PlatyPius

That "Revolution" whatever it is was at one time a decent bike. The Shimano components on it are definitely above Wal-Mart level.

With that said, it would need a LOT of work to be ridable. I would not, however, chuck that one in the trash. Put it on Craigs List at a really low price or Free with Pick-up. A MTB with a Cro-Mo frame and decent lower-end components should be saved by someone.

For you, though, I would recommend some sort of hybrid or "comfort" bike. It looks like you're somewhere warm (but salty) like Florida. You shouldn't have much trouble finding something like a Diamondback Wildwood, Fuji Crosstown, or something similar.

HillRider

The Huffy is a VERY low line bike and not worth putting any money or time into.

The Revolution is a notch above and someone with a supply of surplus parts, knowledge and time could make a useful ride out of it.

BTW, both are geared bikes even if the gears don't work in their current condition. Given your height and level of mechanical knowledge, I recommend starting with a decent quality bike of the correct size.

flian

WOW! What a HUGE spoke protector!!

bpatters69

Thanks for the feedback on the two bikes. I do live in South Florida. Like I said I measured both bikes and the frame is 19" on both bikes. In terms of mechanical ability I am pretty handy. My main hobby is woodworking so I am pretty good with tools. How difficult would it be to fix up the revolution? The rust is easy enough to take off but the gears are pretty fused. Any guesses on what the gears would cost?

Doohickie

So sayeth Sheldon Brown.

PlatyPius

Without physically seeing the bike, I couldn't really say.

I would guess it's has a 7 speed cassette or freewheel on it. If it needed that, figure $20-$30.

Shifters - I would bet that those things are useless at the moment. I don't know if they could even be saved due to all of the corrosion from salt. Figure $20-$40 for a set of shifters (You can get 21 speed shifters with brake levers for about $40)

Cables - you definitely need cables. Assume $20-$30 for cables and housing (unless you buy new shifters, which come with cables)

Chain - again a given. $15-$20 for a chain.

Odds are that the derailleurs have also seized up with rust/corrosion. Plan to spend a few hours cleaning, sanding, and lubing them. Or, buy new derailleurs for $50.

So, it looks like $170 at the high end to get the shifting working.

The first thing to check on a bike that has lived in Florida (or in rust belt states) is to see if the seatpost will actually move in the frame. If it's seized and it isn't set for your height, you're hosed before you even start. Assuming it moves freely, or you can break it loose, you'll need a long seatpost to make it sorta fit you. Figure on $20-$40 for a seatpost (depending on how long of one you need).

If you decide to go with a long stem to get the handlebar up (I'd just go with a riser handlebar), then plan on $20-$30.

See why that bike would be good for someone who already has parts laying around?

Nimitz87

a 62-63cm frame for someone who is 6'2? how do you come to that conclusion?

I'm 6'4 and ride a 60 caad9 w/ a 110 stem. I could of gone to a 63 but was borderline.

Chad

bpatters69

PlatyPius,

Many thanks for that information. That really puts everything in perspective.

HillRider

If you are 6'4" and ride a 60 cm frame, you have to have your bars way below the saddle or have very long arms or have a very long steerer/quill stem.

A friend is 6' even or 6'1" and rides a 59 cm frame. The OP is a casual rider and will benefit from having the bars even with or very slightly below the saddle. A small frame makes that awkward. Finally, cheap frames come in large increments. There is no way he could ride a 23" so a 25" is normally the next size up.

Nimitz87

where in south Florida?

I'm in west fort lauderdale aka davie

Chad

PlatyPius

I suppose we should find out just how "wrong" the bike is size-wise....

What's your inseam?
Would you say your arms are long, "normal", or short?

Nimitz87

only thing that has changed since this is a new Thomson setback post and completely leveled the Arione.





yeah my saddle to bar drop is 4" which is not a big deal at my height at all. stem is 110mm I'm a new road rider.

and makes sense about the casual rider, I'm new to this too and was just thinking that's a BIG bike hehe.

Primitive Don

This is an essential piece of advice to anyone thinking of buying a used bike or fixing up that bike in the garage. The seized seatpost can be the ultimate deal breaker. Great advice PlatyPius!