Road Bike Wanted

[Alan M]

Bridget's boyfriend is looking to buy a second hand bike. He is willing to pay in the region of £200. he is around 6'2 so maybe a 56-57cm range.

Cheers

Alan

[Snoop Doug]

Alan

I may be able to help. Firstly let my bike sizing ignorance shine through and ask - where to/from should the 56/57 measurement be taken?

I have a road bike that's always felt a bit big for me. It's masquerading as a TT bike at the mo so would need some bits changing on it. In road bike form it would be as per the pic although I'd keep the campag wheels and stick the original ambrosio ones back on it. It would be nine speed campag.

[img]http://i7.tinypic.com/81rlj6w.jpg[/img]

So - let me know the answer to the size question, I'll get me tape measure out and we'll see if this is even close. Price wise he may have to stretch his budget just a little but don't think we're too far off.

Cheers - Snoop

[Alan M]

Hi Doug, It looks a good bike - how tall are you?
I need to chat with him later today and check his measurements.
To measure bike size, assuming a horizontal top bar, the frame size is determined by the distance between the top of the seat tube and the middle of the bottom bracket. If it isn't horizontal you project a line to the seat post as if it were and measure to that point - I guess a spirit level could be used to check if you have a 'compact' or regular frame.

[John the old'un]

It looks like a horizontal top tube from the photograph.
Looking at the head tube it looks like around a 21" seat tube frame.
I use a 22 and a half inch seat tube which is a 57 in new terms.
As I am around 5 foot ten it would probably be too small for a six foot 2 rider.

[Alan M]

Yes, that would be my guess also. pity though.

[Snoop Doug]

It is horizontal - the magic number is (drum roll please....) 58cm.

Let me know if you think that warrants further discussion Alan.

Cheers - Snoop

[Alan M]

Hi Doug and thanks, I probably need to hand this on to Toby (the boyfriend) for further discussion with you. They have just returned to E Sussex but if you PM me your telephone number I'll give him a call and explain the situation.

Cheers

Alan

[John the old'un]

It looks to me as if the seat tube finishes a couple of inches above the top tube.
This could mislead one into thinking the frame is larger than it really is.
Length should be measured up the seat tube from the centre of the BB spindle to the level of the top of the top tube.

[Snoop Doug]

Cheers John - I'll have a re count and drop you a note with the details Alan.

Snoop

[-Adam-]

If the man in question has not had a road bike before, which way you measure the frame is going to matter little. As long as it is roughly the right size he will be able to tweak it to suit, with a different stem perhaps, or more set back on the seat post/longer seat post.

From the picture I think the issue he may have is the height of the bars. Those bars look quite low in comparison to the front axle, which would mean a 6'2'' rider bending forwards quite a bit. Which is OK if he's some kind of gymnast, but im not, and I've had promblems trying to reach too low on my Giant, so I know its not good. And with no extra steerer showing for adjustment, that could be the kiss of death for him and this bike.

Anyhow, happy hunting! £200 is quite a tight budget though