Downsizing
03-28-08 | 12:49 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Bikes: Steelman eurocross, Surly CrossCheck, IRO Rob Roy...
It's totally subjective and circumstantial.
My track bike is the same as my road bike yet I have more seatpost showing on my track bike and the bottom braket is higher
. That's because it has 170mm cranks as opposed to 180-185mm crank like my road bikes. Any smaller and I wouldn't be able to use my beloved campy seatpost (see above), with a track stem it has more than enough drop to get me way lower than my road bikes...
Also fixed gears on the road... why would you downsize? Presumably you want to ride this bike for longer periods of time than on the track and you might want to do a group ride, you will be dismounting regularly so you should keep that in mind. I think you would want to fit the same as your road bike, no? You are using it for the same type of riding... on the road, casual rides, etc... So why would you downsize? If your reason is that you ride only short distances in the city well maybe you should get a 3 speed, upright.
My track bike is the same as my road bike yet I have more seatpost showing on my track bike and the bottom braket is higher
. That's because it has 170mm cranks as opposed to 180-185mm crank like my road bikes. Any smaller and I wouldn't be able to use my beloved campy seatpost (see above), with a track stem it has more than enough drop to get me way lower than my road bikes... Also fixed gears on the road... why would you downsize? Presumably you want to ride this bike for longer periods of time than on the track and you might want to do a group ride, you will be dismounting regularly so you should keep that in mind. I think you would want to fit the same as your road bike, no? You are using it for the same type of riding... on the road, casual rides, etc... So why would you downsize? If your reason is that you ride only short distances in the city well maybe you should get a 3 speed, upright.
Do a 60 lap race at a velodrome on a "downsized" bike. A smaller bike (AKA, bike that doesn't fit) doesn't "ride better in traffic"... it just ride like *****. I think 3 speed uprights would be a great choice for a lot of riders. In an effort to look cool, most noobs look like a monkey trying to screw a football.
03-28-08 | 04:39 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,944
Likes: 0
From: Ky. and FL.
Bikes: KHS steel SS
03-28-08 | 09:27 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Bikes: Steelman eurocross, Surly CrossCheck, IRO Rob Roy...
The tt is the critical variable in bike handling. A stem that is too long, or short will compromise handling. Your stem should (for the most part) be between 100-120 unless a frame builder, fit expert, or coach has set up your bike.
