Ridding a smaller size frame?
 

I've been put into multiple situations with this Raleigh International i have acquired.
I have been bugging you guys with a bunch of questions lately regarding it.

I know that you can't always get the right size frame you need but i don't want to sell this frame at all, only interested in trading it for something my size and of the same quality. But, i have considered just building it and keeping it around since it is what it is no matter what condition it's in. I was originally going to powder coat but if i'm just going to keep it i'm just going to do a cheap auto enamel on it.

So here is my main question, the frame is 57cm but all of the bikes i own are 62 or 63cm. Is it really that uncomfortable to be on a frame this small? I'm 6'1 but feel way more comfy on a 60cm+ frame.

What do you guys think?

Also, this will not be my everyday rider.

This will hang in my garage and be aging like a fine wine :)

A little confusing: if it is going to hang up & age like a fine wine then don't paint it or worry about whether it fits you. As a rider, it might be uncomfortable, though Raleighs are often long in the top tube and if your height is in your torso instead of your legs it could be fine.

In my experience it is very uncomfortable to ride a too-small frame for any length of time. It can be more bearable if you spend most of your time on the hoods, but even then you will miss your regular ride (and possibly your brake levers in a panic stop).

I am wrestling with one such dilemma right now: I have a nice Gitane TdF frame (below), and though it's almost "my ideal size" on the sizing charts, I am sure it will be way too small for me when I ride it.
Still, I'm tempted to build it up, and keep it for short runs. I have not decided yet myself, but my suggestion to you is that if you really, really, like the bike - and have the luxury of storage space -go ahead and keep it until another one come along in your size.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...1976red013.jpg

I'm supposed to ride a 54cm frame but I prefer a 52cm, for me its just a better ride.

Solution: Borrow a 57cm bike and try it out? Built it up very quickly and test it?

Are you younger or older?

Younger, i'm 19 years old.

My brother rides about the same size frame. I will have to give it a test ride forsure.

What i meant by hanging it, i would love to hold on to the bike as long as i can or until maybe someone is really in the market for this bike i will have one available.

It will most likely hang for most of it's time of my possession because i already have 3 other bikes that i ride from time to time.

I can relate very much to that, what a nice frame though compared to mine!

It would be interesting to see pictures of you on your brother's 57cm bike and on your own 62cm bike, in riding position. Along with measurements of top tube and stem for each. I am trying to learn about bike fit and seeing someone "model" different size bikes could be instructive. Just in case you felt camera-happy.

haha unusual request but hey i guess we could do that.

i'll just pm them to you tomorrow if that is ok?

The International was a highly respected frame. Keep it and ride it if you can.

About fit, the most important criterion is length. From your normal position on the saddle, can you reach the brakes and handlebar comfortably? You can always try a longer stem, or move your saddle back a cm or two. Or lower the handlebar within reason.

Case in point: My other bikes are 59cm BB to top of seat lug. The Masi I'm building is only a 55 but it rides bigger. Its length is actually more than my other bikes, though admittedly it is hard to measure because they have different saddles. Yes, there is more seat post showing, and a little more stem. But it doesn't feel cramped.

You gotta' ride it to know, and even then tweak it a little.

That's fine. No need to do it if you think it is weird. Sending you a PM w/ my email.

I'm riding everything from 58 cm (PSVN) to 52 cm (daughter's UO-8, when we first got it), as long as I can get the distance from seat to pedal-at-6-o'clock to be right, I will ride it - which makes me think I'm not aware enough of the finer points of bike fit.

if you have to think about it, it is too small. sell it and get one your size.

i dont feel any pity/empathy for anyone that rides a smaller bike than i do (63+).

it would be definitely quite the change, when i take some of my flipper bikes that are smaller that my normal bike for a test ride, i can definitely feel the difference, it sometimes can be dangerous to ride too much of a smaller bike, i've had some incidents...

FWIW, 57cm is about the size that I like, and I'm 5'8"...

If you're 6'1 and aren't super fat or something you can ride a 57cm frame no problem. You'll need a fairly long seatpost and stem, and you'll have some drop. You need to be in reasonable shape and get used to it or it'll be uncomfortable. Frankly at your height 62-63cm is too big to begin with IMHO. A lot of the C&V people are older and ride really large frames for their height because they can't have any saddle-bar drop but at your age there's no excuse. If you asked this in the road cycling forum everyone would tell you a 57 will fit...

Some advice, slam the saddle most of the way back and don't bother with a stem shorter than 100mm

You can work wonders with a seatpost with more setback and a Nitto Technomic or Periscopa stem. That being said, your frame really does need to fit you.

I'm 44, reasonably fit for a man my age in the Upper Midwest (which means I'd be considered a big ol' tub of goo in Southern California) and stand 6'3". I'm happiest on a 62-63 cm frame but one of my favorite rides is my Velosolex, which is 59 c-to-c. But I've got a loooog stem on it and the seat can't go back any futher; it is right at the limit of how small a frame I can ride. I just don't fit on a 58 at all anymore.

I am also 6'1" with long legs and I usually ride a 62 CM or so, but the touring bike I built up is a 58 CM converted MTB with a long stem and drop bars and I love it. As a matter of fact, the next time I decide to start a fast road bike project I'm going to start with something around 58 CM.

FWIW, I'm 6'1" and found that I am more comfortable by far, on a 55-56cm frame.

Here are some pictures.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5447053_n.jpg


The bike I started on was 58cm, but I tried a smaller frame and was much more comfortable. Here's what I'm riding now:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2...0/IMG_1763.JPG

I am 6' with a 34" inseam. I ride anywhere from 55 cm to 59cm. 58cm top tube with a 100mm stem works best for me. What is your inseam? 62 or 63cm bike seem big for your height.

I'm 6'1 and a 62 or 63cm would be way to big for me.
I could ride that 57cm all day with no problem. I have had bikes from 54cm - 60cm and find that a 56cm - 58cm is good for me.
What i find important is the top tub length on a bike more than the down tube height.

I'm 46yrs. old 5'11" and I ride a 58cm motobecane.very comfy.I have found seat & stem height to be the comfort factor .I like my stem slightly higher than my seat.works for me.

Back when I first started riding again, I wanted to get a "touring bike" and ended up getting a brand new, but way too small 48cm 2006 Trek 520. I swapped the fork, installing one that had an uncut tube and tweaked it all I could, but it is just not comfortable. Last year I rode it only once because as much as I want to like the bike, it is just not in the cards. I'm about 5'9" and prefer riding frames in the 56-58cm range. Today, I will be placing the original fork back on the bike, removing the Brooks saddle and rack, and clean it up to take it to the Westminster swap meet Sunday. I'm going to take a beating on the bike.

if i can adjust my seatpost for leg length, and stem for reach and drop, to the proper values (i know these from having adjusted them to my liking on other bikes), there is little remaining but aesthetics for me..