Hey all,

I currently ride a 59cm Surly Steamroller everywhere. I've had it for years. I've also had chronic neck kinks for years, and I've finally put 2 and 2 together. I never have neck problems on my Cross Check during long rides/tours. The CC is a 58cm with 3+ inches of spacers and a 90mm stem to bring the bars way up and back. It works for me even though it looks kinda lame.

I'd like to replace the Steamroller with another CC (for geometry and rack mounts), but I can't really afford to buy a 500 dollar frame right now.

Also, I finally used one of those bike fitting programs online, and with all my measurements, I'm recommended a bike with a 58-59cm seat tube, and a 55cm top tube. I really want my bars to be about level, or just below my saddle.

So, in searching around, I found what I think would be an awesome alternative for a beater/lock-up-outside bike: The On-one Pompino. The large Pompino has a 55cm top tube (perfect) and unlike my Steamroller it has hella rack mounts and stuff. Also, it costs about 100 dollars less than a used Cross Check!

This is the only problem. It bar to saddle drop in every picture I've seen has been super dramatic. I want to use more of the steer tube to bring the bars up level. But, if I do that with a large frame I'll end up with SUPER short reach. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

- Tim

With you needing such a large seat tube, your not going to be able to slam that stem as hard as nagrom and be comfortable

This sounds pretty crazy.

Are you sure that you measured right?

I think so. Well... I was, but not anymore. I have a 34.5/35 inch inseam and I'm just over 6 foot. I feel like my legs are pretty long. Here's a screen capture of the table. In any case, it sucks for me to have my bars with much of a drop at all. I'm always using short, steeply angled stems and lots of spacers to make the reach comfortable for me. Neck kinks are a *****. I'm tired of them, and I tend to think they wouldn't happen so much if I just had a shorter reach.

PS - Like I said. My Cross Check works when I use a lot of headset spacers and a short stem. I might post of pic of it.

A few issues/concerns:

1. You say you're comfortable on your CC, yet you seem to need a short TT and upright bar position. The CC has a longer TT and shorter HT than a lot of other frames, so it's interesting you were able to achieve a comfortable upright position on it. The CC tends to be long and low.

2. If your fit data is correct (something seams weird about it though), the Pompino would actually be a bad frame for you. Due to it's semi-compact geometry, a Pompino with a 55.5 TT (the size large) only has a 54cm seat tube. If you're legs are so long that you need a 58+cm ST, you'll have a mile of seatpost showing on the Pompino. This is mostly an aesthetic issue, but can run into problems running shorter road seat posts. You could argue it would put more stress on your seatpost too. Also, the fork length + headtube length is rather short on the Pompino (actually, only a few mm taller than the CC), so you'll need a ton of spacers to bring those bars up to the desired height, like on your CC.

3. I'd recommend taking your CC and your Steamroller to a shop and have them fit you on the SR relative to the CC. They can make measurements of the key contact areas and get the SR pretty close to the CC. I think the SR has a steeper seat tube angle, so given the same saddle, seatpost, and saddle setback, you're sitting over the cranks more on the SR, which puts more stress on your shoulders, neck, etc. There are other fit aspects that can affect your neck comfort other than height of the bars and length of the TT.

Have you considered North Road bars on your SR?

I continue to be amazed that people recommend and trust those online 'fit calculators'.

What else can we offer? If you go online to ask about fitting, you obviously have no intention of going to a shop to get one. And it gives a better ballpark number, so 5'2" people don't end up on 61's because they're completely oblivious.

I bought my CC and my SR before I did any real "scientific" fitting for myself. Back then I just used to measure my inseam and go by that. I've had a lot of trial and error since then. The CC totally does work for me. With the head tube angle and all the spacers I use (and I've seen people use more) I end up with some kind of effective top tube length that is where I need it to be. If you look at pics of CCs online you see a lot of people set theirs up that way. Basically like this... https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YKvQu4SLUX...25281%2529.jpg

Anyway, you're right about the Pompino. Sucks that it probably wouldn't work. It fits the bill perfectly. It's cheap, has rack mounts and tire clearance, and it even has 120mm rear spacing so I wouldn't have to do anything with the hubs from the SR. Plus, I could probably sell the SR frame for close to what the Pompino costs new. Too bad.

PS - Your number 3 recommendation is a really good one. I guess I always figured that there was probably nothing a shop could tell me that I hadn't already figured out myself through years of trial and error. I mean, I've heard of people paying tons of money for fit advice, only to end up more uncomfortable in the end. But, maybe I should just suck it up and try it out. And bringing both bikes in is a great recommendation. Thanks.

whats the problem with them?

PPS - I could envision an XL working... Maybe. The steer tube is 300mm uncut. The way this one is set up looks like they way I might set it up, with just a few more spacers, and maybe a slightly shorter stem. https://static.lfgss.com/attachments/...51-pompino.jpg

It's not all that crazy. My ideal frame size with a level top tube frame is 62 x 57. And to look at me you wouldn't think my proportions were extraordinary.

While it does give you a ballpark estimate the info you get is only as accurate as the measurements you put in. I've had my mom, sister, and sqrl measure me for the cc calculator and each time I got a different fit suggestion. All of them far from what I actually find comfortable.

I'm 6'2 with VEEEEEEERY long legs, and I ride a 56cm CX bike, a 58cm Roadie, and a 60cm Track bike.

Long story short, you need to go into a shop and try them out.

Also: slamthatstem.com

It also doesnt spit out head tube measurements which can really change how much top tube you actually need. But getting that ballpark idea is great in the beginning

Well, not much options beside paying $150-200 for a professional fit.

Noob question, but is it common knowledge among this community what Pompino means in Italian?

some people know, and i think its hilarious. being from UK im sure on-one knows what it means which only makes it funnier

i still want one.

it's an awesome bike for the price

stupid name and all

Thanks guys,

It does seem like a fun bike, I guess the name is not completely out of place for the type of bike it is and its intended market.

I wonder what they will call the mixte version?

From the On-One website: "The Pompino will blow you away and leave you smiling after every ride..."

You're right, they know, ... they know.

I have a 58 Cross Check and an XL Pompino. They're pretty similar fit-wise.
My CC has a cable hanger, a 20mm spacer, and a 120mm 6 degree stem flipped down
My Pompino has no cable hanger and a 130mm 6 degree stem slammed and flipped up

I'd go for a higher rise stem. I'm using this Syncros AM (+12 degree) stem on my 29er which is a little small for me with no spacers. Gets the bars to a little below saddle height and is awesomely stiff.



Handlebar choice will also have a big impact on how the reach feels.

I recommend you use the "compare" feature of the brightspoke stem calculator and play around a little.

I would not recommend the large. I know someone who sized down and regrets it.

Pics?

Also, I have short/shallow drops.

Here are some terrible pictures.



...and my Zion with the Syncros stem. I've since removed the FD and granny ring.

An additional thought: if you are able to roll your pelvis forward and straighten out your back, you'll lessen the amount you need to bend your neck in order to see. Perhaps your bike-posture is already good, but it's something to try anyway.