Too small/too big
11-10-20, 03:38 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Too small/too big
I brought home a pristine Bridgestone T700 with a 21" frame, which turns out to be a wee bit small. I'm wondering whether it is better to seek out a longer seat post and stem to make the bike fit me, or to give it up and look for a 23" frame, which would (most likely) be a tight fit and may or may not be as well-preserved. Any suggestions/recommendations are welcome. The original seatpost is SR, 27.0mm
11-10-20, 03:40 PM
#3
Drip, Drip.
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 1,575
Bikes: Trek Verve E bike, Felt Doctrine 4 XC, Opus Horizon Apex 1
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 193 Times
in
163 Posts
I brought home a pristine Bridgestone T700 with a 21" frame, which turns out to be a wee bit small. I'm wondering whether it is better to seek out a longer seat post and stem to make the bike fit me, or to give it up and look for a 23" frame, which would (most likely) be a tight fit and may or may not be as well-preserved. Any suggestions/recommendations are welcome. The original seatpost is SR, 27.0mm
Play around with the seat height. You can try raising the stem or replacing it all together. Or go the flat bar route. Im sure you can make it fit you comfortably
11-10-20, 03:44 PM
#4
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
If it's only one size too small you might try a longer stem, maybe a different handlebar to suit your preferences for reach and drop.
I see a lot of pros and wannabes locally riding frames that are technically too small, but they want the exaggerated drop from saddle to handlebar. So they use longer stems to set the reach appropriately.
No way I my neck could handle that kind of drop so I have no idea how that setup affects handling or whether a too-small frame might still have problems that could affect the knees, hips, etc. Might also be appropriate to change crank lengths.
I still prefer the old school fit -- more stretched out, maybe 2" or, at most, 3" drop from saddle to handlebar.
I see a lot of pros and wannabes locally riding frames that are technically too small, but they want the exaggerated drop from saddle to handlebar. So they use longer stems to set the reach appropriately.
No way I my neck could handle that kind of drop so I have no idea how that setup affects handling or whether a too-small frame might still have problems that could affect the knees, hips, etc. Might also be appropriate to change crank lengths.
I still prefer the old school fit -- more stretched out, maybe 2" or, at most, 3" drop from saddle to handlebar.
11-10-20, 03:52 PM
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
11-10-20, 03:54 PM
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
11-10-20, 06:02 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Western MI
Posts: 2,767
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 655 Post(s)
Liked 467 Times
in
301 Posts
I grow them all the time but it's not for everyone. Here's my Bridgestone 400 that's technically too small. Longer post, more quill (or 90 degree), more extension, 44cm bars and 175 crank arms are my usual routine. 59cm ctc is what I prefer and I'm usually growing 58s. This one measures 57cm ctc and is the limit of what I'd want to grow.
11-10-20, 09:28 PM
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
Very pretty - plonz, what seat post do you use?
11-11-20, 12:05 AM
#9
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,644
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2607 Post(s)
Liked 1,696 Times
in
935 Posts
Sweet bike.
I'm of the opinion that the worst thing is a bike that *almost* fits.
You know how cool it is, you get a taste of how it rides, but it's *just* not right. The proverbial carrot dangling in front of you.
I'm of the opinion that the worst thing is a bike that *almost* fits.
You know how cool it is, you get a taste of how it rides, but it's *just* not right. The proverbial carrot dangling in front of you.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
11-11-20, 06:44 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Western MI
Posts: 2,767
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 655 Post(s)
Liked 467 Times
in
301 Posts
Why thank you! The seat post is a plain, no-frills Kalloy. Pretty boring but come in a lot of sizes (incl 27.0) and a 350mm length. Right around $20 IIRC.
For something dressier, check out the Dajia 1b seatpost. A little more expensive and also made in 27.0. Dajia length is 300mm which is still long enough for my applications and saves some weight over the Kalloy. I got one at Velo-Orange a while back.
For something dressier, check out the Dajia 1b seatpost. A little more expensive and also made in 27.0. Dajia length is 300mm which is still long enough for my applications and saves some weight over the Kalloy. I got one at Velo-Orange a while back.
Likes For plonz:
11-11-20, 07:30 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,579
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1607 Post(s)
Liked 2,214 Times
in
1,103 Posts
At slightly less than 58, this frame is really too small. I love riding it though
1983 Colnago Superissimo on Flickr
The largest frame in the stable is 61. Still more than a fist full of post. This frame is at the upper limit for me.
2010 Langster Steel 61cm on Flickr
My target is 60 but event that looks a bit small when judging by post extension.
P1040420 on Flickr
1983 Colnago Superissimo on FlickrThe largest frame in the stable is 61. Still more than a fist full of post. This frame is at the upper limit for me.
2010 Langster Steel 61cm on FlickrMy target is 60 but event that looks a bit small when judging by post extension.
P1040420 on Flickr
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Likes For SJX426:
11-11-20, 08:59 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,697
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1946 Post(s)
Liked 2,004 Times
in
1,105 Posts
I think with touring models like the T700, and you are in between sizes, go for the larger one.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
Likes For Classtime:
