Scrodzilla

It takes more than knowing someone's height to make a recommendation on frame size. For the record, I'm also 5'10" and ride a 58cm while my 5'2" wife comfortably rides a 49 and 51 (with identical top tube lengths).

Sherblock

But height does factor into it, and can usually give you a (rough) estimate. Unless you have growth problems or the bike has weird geo a 52 would never fit someone who's 5'10".

littlebrite

Heeyyy everyone!

I'm thinking of getting a SS bike for riding downtown/short distance errands. I'm a total newbie. Not just to SS, but to biking as a way of getting around. I've been told by a couple of people that SS is the way to go because it makes for an enjoyable experience, and others have tried to sway me away from buying SS because it's just more difficult. Thoughts?

And secondly, would I be able to find an okay starter bike for around $200 anywhere or is that just totally ridiculous? Nothing fancy. Just a simple bike on which I can learn to ride in the city.

TejanoTrackie 

@littlebrite - Where do you live in Texas ? If it's fairly flat and not real windy, then a singlespeed should be fine. As to price, you get what you pay for, and $200 doesn't buy you much in a new bike. If you can spend $300, your choices are much greater. Like that corny oil filter commercial says, "you can pay me now or you can pay me later."

littlebrite

hahaha are you from Fort Worth? I live on the east side! What a coincidence.

Yeah, this is what I keep hearing about the price. What brands should I be looking into for a decent starter SS? And what should I stay away from? I'll be going to a Denton bike shop this weekend to check out some used bikes they said they had in my size (I'm really short and a lot of FW bike shops don't have any at the moment).

TejanoTrackie 

North Benbrook, which is SW Fort Worth area. I'm short too, 5'-3", so I have the same issues finding small enough frames. What is your height and inseam ? Don't worry about brand names, so much as basic quality issues such as frame material and main components like wheels and cranks. A good quality bike will have maintenance-free sealed bearing hubs and cranks (bottom bracket). Look for a steel frame that says CroMo or maybe Reynolds. A decent quality bike should not weigh more than 25 pounds. A reputable bike shop shouldn't sell you junk and should help you get sized correctly. A good quality used bike is a better choice than a poor quality new bike at the same price. Just stay away from places like Walmart.

littlebrite

5 feet exactly, 27 inch inseam.

Why steel and not aluminum? And thanks for the tips!

EpicSchwinn

For an entry price range the steel you can get will be a better quality than your aluminum options. Steel is also less harsh feeling on the road.

littlebrite

Cool. Steel it is!

Found these last night:

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/2681878204.html (the yellow one)
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/2707326919.html

I really like the Nishiki but I can't tell if it's worth it or not. Thoughts? If they're worth checking out, I'll head up to see them today.

xavier853

price seems a bit high to me.

TejanoTrackie 

Those are all "conversions" of old bikes and are overpriced. The Nishiki looks like it has old 27" wheels, instead of modern 700c wheels, which are a bit smaller and would be better for a shorter person. Let me suggest that you hold off on this, and maybe try to get something new. Based on your proportions I assume you are female, with relatively long legs and short torso / arms, so you need a bike with a short top tube and stem. For example, a bike like this of mine would probably work well for you. You can buy the basic bike that I used from here >>> https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...essenger_x.htm
You will pay Texas sales tax, since they ship from Texas, but shipping itself is free.
When you are finished making some changes, such as pedals and gearing, you will spend less than $400.

LesterOfPuppets

This here is the bike ya need. 45cm Bridgestone 550. Unfortunately it's in Portland and asking price = $400

littlebrite

That blue one is a nice looking bike!

Ok I will hold off on these used ones. TejanoTrackie, you totally read my mind. I've been eyeing that Motobecane Messanger for DAYSSS now. I've just heard so much about that bike having cheap parts, etc. But yeah, I guess most people switch out all that stuff. Though, I won't have the money after buying it to switch out everything right away. It's fine to ride as is for a while, right? Not as cool, obviously. Also back to sizing again, haha: Should I go with the 43?

Also how can you tell those are conversions? I have so much to learn!

TejanoTrackie 

Yes, definitely get the 43cm in the Moto Messenger. As to parts quality, most of them are fine, just not real pretty. The
main thing about them is that they need a lot of adjusting when you get them (wheel truing, hub bearing adjustment, brake cable shortening, etc), but I'd be glad to do it for free if you bring it to me, so you can save the cost of paying a bike shop to do it. Actually, I really didn't have to change anything other than the pedals and gearing (stock is too high) on mine initially. Everything else was for style and changing from singlespeed freewheel to fixed gear cog and lockring. I have a spare single freewheel to lower the gearing that I can sell you, but don't have any extra pedals. The main thing is that the frame is good quality CroMo butted steel, and the bike weighs well under 25 lbs.

Doohickie

You're talking about a quarter of an inch difference in height from the axle to the ground. Not really significant.

That Nishiki looks like it has a pretty good frame. Having chrome tips on a fork usually indicate better build quality. It is a quickie conversion though, reusing the old front crank and stuff. It's a little high, but if you wanted to work with the guy (it is a shop), he may be able to do some upgrades to get you a cool vintage bike for about the same price or maybe a little less than the new BD bike.

LesterOfPuppets

I'm digging the Nishiki too. If I rode it and liked it I'd try to strike a deal for that price, but with some better brake levers and saddle. Even then it's still a little high if the frame's HiTen. If it's a full CrMo frame the price is about reasonable for around here. You can sell just frame/fork for $150 in these parts, if it's Cromoly.

That yellow Schwinn will weigh a ton. Pass.

TejanoTrackie 

You are forgetting that the fork legs are longer as well and that the tires are tall 27 x 1-1/4, so standover will be considerably more than a bike with 700 x 25c wheels / tires. I have some old bikes with 27" wheels, and they are signficantly higher at the top tube. You are a relatively tall person that may not appreciate what a bit more standover means to a shorter person such as myself or the OP.

TejanoTrackie 

Don't forget steel rims, which are heavy and provide near zero braking when wet. Quill stem is very long and can't be lowered much due to very short head tube. Road crank with fixed outer ring that can't be replaced, although not being used in this conversion. Cheap open steel pipe seatpost and crude bracket that makes saddle adjustment difficult.

littlebrite

Well I called the guy and he said he thinks it's CrMo, because it's light, but he didn't seem too sure. (Is there any way to make sure when I see it?) Also said he had just put new tires on it and something else, I forgot what. I really like it. Might go check it out tomorrow. If I decide on the Motobecane, I won't be able to get it til I get paid on Tuesday anyway, so I've got nothing to lose by checking the Nishiki out, except gas money.

Thanks for the help yall! Looks like I'll be getting one of these bikes by the end of next week.

Doohickie

Still a quarter of an inch. The seat tube length absorbs the other side of the wheel being larger. Even if not, though, it's still only a half inch.

Sekigahara

Hey all! Been lurking the forums for the past month or so in order to learn more about SS/FG bikes and parts. It has been a confusing process, since I'm still learning about the individual parts of a bicycle, their uses, and why they're necessary, what they're used for, etc. while trying to decipher the posts on here, but I'm learning. I feel like a complete idiot, so I've often avoided asking for clarification for fear of bringing unnecessary ridicule onto my head, but I'm going to start ignoring that fear in the hopes that I'll be able to pick up on things quicker. Hopefully y'all will find it in your hearts to take it easy on me, hehe!

I'm planning on buying a 2009 SE Premium Ale from a local seller on Craigslist for $425 in the next couple weeks. Reviews seem to be pretty positive, but I'd like to know what y'alls take on the bike and it's individual parts is to avoid buyer's remorse. I've asked a few people I know that are knowledgeable for upgrade recommendations, and I've been told that I'd want to upgrade my crankset to a Sugino 75 or SRAM Omnium and my lockring to a Shimano Dura-Ace (no questions asked), but I don't know WHY I would want to upgrade to those particular parts. I come from a background of building computers and wanting to know why I do the things I do when it comes to customizing hardware choices, and I'd love it if y'all might explain to me why I'd want to upgrade to those parts.

Concerning the bike I'm purchasing, it is the attached picture. I've been told it's going to come with all the accessories, pedals, brakes, etc. that come with it when you purchase it at a store, but I'm checking it out in-person before I purchase it, ofc. I'm not dumb enough to make such a hefty investment without seeing it with my own two eyes first.

LesterOfPuppets

It looks like the tubing sticker is still on it. It's that little sticker near the top of the seattube. Maybe you could talk him into snapping a close-up pic of that.

If it says CrMo or Cromoly you're in business. Some frames have CrMo main tubes, but HiTen stays and sometimes that's hard to discern from the tubing sticker alone. If the sticker says HiTen, High Tensile, High Carbon, 2010, etc., are some indicators of lower spec steel. Sometimes companies have their own pet names for their tubing, but you can usually google those to figure out what they are.

markaitch

@Sekigahara...before you buy that used premium brew you should check this out
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_203188

LesterOfPuppets

Yeah, steel front rim might be a deal killer. If I really liked the bike, I'd probably swap it out for a 700c, file the front caliper's brake pad slots if need be. I kinda wonder if the rear wheel isn't already a 700c. Hard to tell from the perspective, though.

I don't worry about standover as much as most people, but if it's important to you, check it out. If there's much chance of this happening to you, standover clearance is paramount!

Sekigahara

Only thing is that I'm 6' with a 32" inseam, so I need a 56-58cm bike, and they don't have my size. Even if they did, the shipping cost to have it sent from Mashhad would likely be $25 or more. Plus, I know him and he's local, so he's got that goin' for him.