Going from a standard hybrid style bike (rigid fork) toward more upright posture, due to back pain when leaning in. I know, not everything is just the frame or just the handlebar or just the stem or just the seat position. In general, is there a chance that to have this upright posture a smaller frame would be a choice?

My osteoarthritis in my back, wrists and hands has me dropping from 56 to 58 size bikes down to 54s with short and higher stems level or near level with my saddle to keep me going.

I'd go the opposite direction. If you go smaller then the top tube is going to be lower. Lower top tube means you need more steerer exposed above the top tube to get your bars high and position upright.

Meanwhile many modern frames have specific restrictions listed in their manuals about how much stack height is allowed because it's a weak area exposed to a lot of stress. So that isn't a safe combination.

There are stems out there that go straight vertical instead of forward. So if the large frame seems too long then I'd just swap the stem out.

[QUOTE=lnanek;23745198]I'd go the opposite direction..... /QUOTE]
I hope you never find osteoarthritis an cycling issue in your 70s. On really bad days you won't like this either, a recumbent trike is the answer.

As someone in my fifties with many immune disorders like psoriasis, dropping painful bloody skin flakes every ten minutes, and taking 3 does of pain killers daily for back pain - I can assure you, I've tried both, and a smaller bike doesn't help at all with a more upright posture.

I've even put ape hanger riser bars on bikes and actually found that most comfortable with my arms way up at shoulder height. I just don't do it on all my rides due to trouble storing them in bike lockers.

Maybe you have some other consideration making you want a smaller bike frame for some reason? Townie bikes have a crank forward geometry that lets you keep feet flat at a stop, for example. Similarly there's many step through options if we're talking about mounting issues.

Smaller frame size for this just makes no sense at all. In fact it's a very dangerous thing to recommend because their steerer might already be cut and they might throw a stem extender on there, which is even weaker than ignoring the max riser specs.

No other reason than the thought that perhaps a shorter top tube length would allow for moving shoulders back by going upright, but would also need taller handlebar. Admittedly the Townie is a great modern bike and does present enticement, but that crank forward bothers me when thinking of knee stresses. The knees are not as much over the pedals on the Townie as when on a typical hybrid/comfort style. But the Dutch bicycles do it so.... I don't know.

If you wish to get more upright, and have some variation of straightish flat bars (common on hybrids...) get some pull-back bars. These were once THE standard for City bikes - Fiets, Opa/Oma bikes in Europe....
They will help get you more upright...



Ride On
Yuri