Newbie - help needed on sizing
 

Hi all, I am brand new to this forum so please bear with my newbie questions.
I was hoping some of you could help me to determine what size bicycle I should be looking for. I am looking for a vintage style "Dutch" loop bicycle.
I am 5ft 8", inside leg of 32"

What size frame do you think i'd need for a traditional "sit up and beg" bike?

I hope you can help.
Many thanks

A guide to get you some idea.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...2d55b4f1_o.jpg

Thats really helpful thank you. How much le-way would you say there is either side? ie if that recommends a 22" frame, would I get away with a 20" for example?

On dutch bikes it doesn't matter that much, because you ride (in traditional dutch style) almost with with a vertical back, so any changes in size can be overcome in the seatpin.

For some people that chart doesn't work. For instance if you're like me. I'm between 5'9" and 5'10", but I have short legs ( approx 30" inseam). According to the chart I should ride about a 56 but I have not yet found a 56 that fit. It's more like 53 and sometimes even they are tall.

2 inches is huge (5cm). But I find the chart above to be most useful for road/racing bikes. So you could be fine.

I use this chart all of the time, but its a starting point.

The chart is only a starting point, and assumes a stock frame in terms of the TT to ST ratio; IOW, a frame built for pretty normal body proportions. I would think that at 5'9" (69") with a 30" leg length, a 53cm c-t-t frame with stock TT to ST ratio would feel rather cramped because the top tube of a stock 53cm frame would be too short for your relatively long torso/arms. Bear in mind that the frame size used in the chart is the seat tube length from the crank center to the top of the seat tube. A 56 on the chart would be a 53 or 54 if the frame size is measured center-to-center.

Another one.

http://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike...o=Content#road