noob sizing questions
 

hey all,

here is my silly question:

I was wondering if there were any particularities about bike sizing for fixies--i.e.: go longer/go shorter?

Reason being, I am slavering to get my fixie on, dropped by a thrift shop today, and they had 3 okay-looking 70's/80's Fujis road bikes with horiz. rear drops for around $45-50; top-tube lengths were 51, 52, and 54 ins. Now I'm a 5'11" guy with a 34" inseam, so they are prob a little small (what do I know about bike sizing, tho). Can I work around that, or should I just be patient and wait for something more my size (56-58"?)

Cheers

I'd almost say you'd be fine with the 54. I could be wrong?

A 54 inch top tube is long.

i say if u ride in city traffic then a smaller size frame is better

I'd try a 57cm, see how it feels. It's possible to ride a too-small bike but not fun for long distances/ride times.

sorry, that should be cms, not inches. Yeah, I was just sized at around a 57 on a Jamis road bike at the LBS for a soon-to be cross purchase. Just wondering how much "wiggle room" I have on a fixie conversion, i.e.: if I racked the seat back, horn bars, etc. Track bikes seem kinda snubbed and tall to me, (misconception?) so I thought I would ask.

Track bikes look snubbed because they have steeper angles, and usually run a little smaller (if you ride a 58 road frame you might take a 56 track). That said, I'm almost exactly the same height and inseam as you, and I'm riding a 57 right now with horns and the seat pretty far back. I think a 54 would crunch you up something awful. Especially since you were sized for a 57 at the LBS.

thanks, snr. plane.

That's the answer I was looking for.