Is this frame too small?
11-23-24 | 10:25 AM
#1
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From: northern Indiana
Bikes: 1981 Motobecane Le Champion, 1982 Peugeot PSV-10, 1981 Austro Daimler Vent Noir, 2001 LeMond Buenos Aires, 1987 Bertoni Nuovitalia..
Is this frame too small?
My ideal size for a frame is 55-56cm. I found a frame I really want that is a 53.5cm. Should I consider it too small and forget about it? The top tube on it is 55cm and if needed, I could always get a longer stem- so no worries there. It's just the seat tube I'm worried about.
11-23-24 | 11:12 AM
#2
Facts just confuse people
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Why are you worried about the seat tube? It's the seat post you might should worry about. If it's too short, then you may not be able to get the extension needed from the seat tube for the saddle height you require.
A lesser issue for seat tube length might be that your bottles might need to be short. But not knowing all the other geometry of the bike, it's hard to say if that will be a issue. Just like it will be hard to say if your fit to the bike will be a issue not knowing all the other geometry of the bike. As well, what things you seek from the bike and how you ride most of the time. Hard and demanding or more relaxed.
I've ridden 64, 60 and 59cm vintage bikes all comfortably. And currently ride a modern 56cm bike.
A lesser issue for seat tube length might be that your bottles might need to be short. But not knowing all the other geometry of the bike, it's hard to say if that will be a issue. Just like it will be hard to say if your fit to the bike will be a issue not knowing all the other geometry of the bike. As well, what things you seek from the bike and how you ride most of the time. Hard and demanding or more relaxed.
I've ridden 64, 60 and 59cm vintage bikes all comfortably. And currently ride a modern 56cm bike.
11-23-24 | 12:37 PM
#3
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My ideal size for a frame is 55-56cm. I found a frame I really want that is a 53.5cm. Should I consider it too small and forget about it? The top tube on it is 55cm and if needed, I could always get a longer stem- so no worries there. It's just the seat tube I'm worried about.
Last edited by 13ollocks; 11-23-24 at 12:40 PM.
11-23-24 | 04:39 PM
#4
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
My ideal size for a frame is 55-56cm. I found a frame I really want that is a 53.5cm. Should I consider it too small and forget about it? The top tube on it is 55cm and if needed, I could always get a longer stem- so no worries there. It's just the seat tube I'm worried about.
If the potential bike works, then buy it.
Nobody here knows if it will fit you, based on the info you provided.
11-24-24 | 01:46 AM
#5
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My ideal size for a frame is 55-56cm. I found a frame I really want that is a 53.5cm. Should I consider it too small and forget about it? The top tube on it is 55cm and if needed, I could always get a longer stem- so no worries there. It's just the seat tube I'm worried about.
11-25-24 | 06:20 AM
#6
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From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon
My ideal size for a frame is 55-56cm. I found a frame I really want that is a 53.5cm. Should I consider it too small and forget about it? The top tube on it is 55cm and if needed, I could always get a longer stem- so no worries there. It's just the seat tube I'm worried about.
