Oversized Bike
07-17-02, 11:03 PM
#1
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Oversized Bike
I bought a Fuji Finest, and it's a 58cm frame, and is too large for me. I cannot afford a new frame at the moment. The seat height is adjusted correctly but the top tube length is too great.
I have numbness in my hands after a long ride. Would it be better to buy a short stem, or save up to buy a new frame?
If I go with the short stem, Where might I find such an item?
Also, Do you have any recommendations for an inexpensive, reasonable quality, frame?
Do I have any other options?:confused:
I have numbness in my hands after a long ride. Would it be better to buy a short stem, or save up to buy a new frame?
If I go with the short stem, Where might I find such an item?
Also, Do you have any recommendations for an inexpensive, reasonable quality, frame?
Do I have any other options?:confused:
07-17-02, 11:28 PM
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you ought to be able to get a shorter, perhaps more upright (?) stem from your LBS for a reasonable price. If your other stem is pretty new, or if you go back to the place you bought the bike, they might even credit your current one back! Otherwise, you could just sell the old one on eBay.
Depending on the size discrepancy, I imagine a stem would help.
Dax
Depending on the size discrepancy, I imagine a stem would help.
Dax
07-18-02, 12:11 AM
#3
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8cm is the smallest commonly available stem, but smaller ones are available.
Putting a very small stem on a long bike can make the handling a bit light and twitchy.
There is no need to get a very expensive model, standard forged stems like 3TTT synthesis are good value. If you do go for a used model, ask about any crash damage and check for deep scratches or hairline cracks.
Make sure you get the right fitting (quill or threadless) and the right diameter for your bars.
Putting a very small stem on a long bike can make the handling a bit light and twitchy.
There is no need to get a very expensive model, standard forged stems like 3TTT synthesis are good value. If you do go for a used model, ask about any crash damage and check for deep scratches or hairline cracks.
Make sure you get the right fitting (quill or threadless) and the right diameter for your bars.
07-20-02, 10:37 AM
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I have the same problem. I bought a 58cm Fuji Roubaix-Pro. The bike shop owner said I could ride either a 56cm or a 58cm, but that he recommended the 58 "for the type of riding" I would probably do. That meant riding around recreationally and imagining myself a racer as opposed to actually racing.
I'm 5'11.5" tall, have a 32-inch inseam and take a 34-inch sleeve when I buy a dress shirt.
My seat post is 5 inches out of the seat tube, my seat is set almost all the way forward, and I feel like I'm reaching farther than I want to to ride with my hands on the brake hoods. I'm constantly jerking my hands back away from the brakes toward the top bend of the handlebars.
My stock, threadless handlebar stem is just short of 10cm long. I'm thinking of going to a 9cm or possibly and 8. I might order both and see which one I like best. The problem is that snap judgements about what fits can be proven wrong over time.
I guess that was what happened when I bought this frame in the first place, but I don't think it's a total loss. How do your physical dimensions compare to mine as regards frame fit?
condor
I'm 5'11.5" tall, have a 32-inch inseam and take a 34-inch sleeve when I buy a dress shirt.
My seat post is 5 inches out of the seat tube, my seat is set almost all the way forward, and I feel like I'm reaching farther than I want to to ride with my hands on the brake hoods. I'm constantly jerking my hands back away from the brakes toward the top bend of the handlebars.
My stock, threadless handlebar stem is just short of 10cm long. I'm thinking of going to a 9cm or possibly and 8. I might order both and see which one I like best. The problem is that snap judgements about what fits can be proven wrong over time.
I guess that was what happened when I bought this frame in the first place, but I don't think it's a total loss. How do your physical dimensions compare to mine as regards frame fit?
condor
07-20-02, 03:49 PM
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Condor,
Your setup seems reasonably close, to me. Of course everyone has a different riding style so what might be good for me, might not be good for you.
I have about the same measurements (height, inseam, sleeve length) and just got my new ride today --- a 57cm frame with 110mm stem. I previously rode a 58cm frame with 100mm stem. I did not experience the problems you have related.
What bike did you ride prior to this? How flexible are you? It might just be your body getting used to a new position.
Steve
Your setup seems reasonably close, to me. Of course everyone has a different riding style so what might be good for me, might not be good for you.
I have about the same measurements (height, inseam, sleeve length) and just got my new ride today --- a 57cm frame with 110mm stem. I previously rode a 58cm frame with 100mm stem. I did not experience the problems you have related.
What bike did you ride prior to this? How flexible are you? It might just be your body getting used to a new position.
Steve
07-20-02, 04:01 PM
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I'm pretty flexible--can touch fingers to floor and maybe a little beyond that without bending my knees.
I rode a 58cm frame before this one and a really huge 24" Trek touring bike before that. Now that frame I KNOW is too large.
It's weird. I have an old Nishiki Superb with a 58cm C-T frame, the same as my Fuji, only the Nishiki's top tube is about 1/2 inch shorter than the Fuji's.
The Nishiki feels like it's too small. Of course it would do, coming off that Trek; but still. So the Fuji should really be about right. I think you're right: I need time to let my body adjust, although I suspect 57mm would be a better size for me.
However, the choices on the Fuji were 56 and 58, so maybe it was better to err on the roomy side.
I rode a 58cm frame before this one and a really huge 24" Trek touring bike before that. Now that frame I KNOW is too large.
It's weird. I have an old Nishiki Superb with a 58cm C-T frame, the same as my Fuji, only the Nishiki's top tube is about 1/2 inch shorter than the Fuji's.
The Nishiki feels like it's too small. Of course it would do, coming off that Trek; but still. So the Fuji should really be about right. I think you're right: I need time to let my body adjust, although I suspect 57mm would be a better size for me.
However, the choices on the Fuji were 56 and 58, so maybe it was better to err on the roomy side.
07-20-02, 04:09 PM
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I also had a Roubaix Pro and wanted a shorter stem. I picked up a nice one from Titec for only $15. You might check it out. Roger H
https://www.titec.com/items.asp?deptid=9&itemid=81
https://www.titec.com/items.asp?deptid=9&itemid=81
07-23-02, 09:10 AM
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Go to Google and search on "Rivendell frame fit." After you read their essay, you might feel better about having bought the 58cm frame.
On mine, I'm going to buy a mountain bike stem with a 40-degree rise to bring my handlebars closer and HIGHER.
condor
On mine, I'm going to buy a mountain bike stem with a 40-degree rise to bring my handlebars closer and HIGHER.
condor
07-23-02, 09:18 AM
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The Rivendell fit works great for some especially if one has incurable flexibility problems.The other crowd that buys in are the ones with big guts that get in the way and who don't have no strength,conditioning and minimal saddle time. Changing a stem is the half a$$ cure for a really bad fitting bike.Something else usually suffers.
