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Main
Date: 16 May 2007 03:27:13
From: len
Subject: mtb frame size question. Virtual top tube 5 cm shorter, how important?
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Hello,
I am trying to buy a new bicycle (mtb hardtail) and since I had some
knee problems recently I spent a lot of time calculating (via various
sources on the net) the ideal frame size. According to the most of
them the most important measure is the virtual top tube which for me
should be 60.70 - 61.72. Unfortunately where I live there are very few
bicycles shops which do not bring all frame sizes. I like a bicycle
labeled (17'') which has the virtual top tube 55 cm (5 cm shorter).
How much would this influence my geometry? Should I buy it like this?
A 19'' cannot be available until 4 weeks and a 21'' until next week.
Is it better to have a bike which frame is longer or shorter?
I am 1.85m, inseam 86 cm and I buy a cross like mtb for the city and
short excursions (nothing extreme).
I greatly appreciate any advice,
Len
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Date: 21 May 2007 08:20:48
From: len
Subject: Re: mtb frame size question. Virtual top tube 5 cm shorter, how important?
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On May 18, 10:13 am, nemesisitst...@gmail.com wrote:
> On May 17, 7:23 am, Steve Gravrock <use...@sdg.users.panix.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On 2007-05-16, len <marilen.corcio...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > Hello,
>
> > > I am trying to buy a new bicycle (mtb hardtail) and since I had some
> > > knee problems recently I spent a lot of time calculating (via various
> > > sources on the net) the ideal frame size. According to the most of
> > > them the most important measure is the virtual top tube which for me
> > > should be 60.70 - 61.72. Unfortunately where I live there are very few
> > > bicycles shops which do not bring all frame sizes. I like a bicycle
> > > labeled (17'') which has the virtual top tube 55 cm (5 cm shorter).
> > > How much would this influence my geometry? Should I buy it like this?
>
> > Ask the shop owner to let you take it on an extended test ride. Don't
> > just ride in the parking lot or around the block a few times -- put
> > some time on it. If it feels good, buy it. If not, you've got a far
> > more useful reference point than any online fitting guide will give
> > you.
>
> > Minor differences in reach can be accomplished by changing the stem.
> > 5cm is a bit much, but you won't really know if it's that far off until
> > you ride it.
>
> Thank you for your answers, extended test is good however sometimes
> difficult to negociate. I was lucky however and managed to convince
> the shop owner that he will surely need a 19'' frame anyway but I will
> take the bicycle now if he will change me the frame later if needed. I
> am going to test it in an extended fashion this weekend.
>
> Lenwww.len.ro
In the the test was a bit extensive as some photos can show:
http://www.len.ro/photo/cernica_pasarea_may_19/index.html and
http://www.len.ro/photo/grindul_chituc_may_20/ (tried to avoid sea
water but managed to get enough sand which requires for me to spend
all this afternoon cleaning).
Len
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Date: 18 May 2007 00:13:11
From:
Subject: Re: mtb frame size question. Virtual top tube 5 cm shorter, how important?
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On May 17, 7:23 am, Steve Gravrock <use...@sdg.users.panix.com > wrote:
> On 2007-05-16, len <marilen.corcio...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hello,
>
> > I am trying to buy a new bicycle (mtb hardtail) and since I had some
> > knee problems recently I spent a lot of time calculating (via various
> > sources on the net) the ideal frame size. According to the most of
> > them the most important measure is the virtual top tube which for me
> > should be 60.70 - 61.72. Unfortunately where I live there are very few
> > bicycles shops which do not bring all frame sizes. I like a bicycle
> > labeled (17'') which has the virtual top tube 55 cm (5 cm shorter).
> > How much would this influence my geometry? Should I buy it like this?
>
> Ask the shop owner to let you take it on an extended test ride. Don't
> just ride in the parking lot or around the block a few times -- put
> some time on it. If it feels good, buy it. If not, you've got a far
> more useful reference point than any online fitting guide will give
> you.
>
> Minor differences in reach can be accomplished by changing the stem.
> 5cm is a bit much, but you won't really know if it's that far off until
> you ride it.
Thank you for your answers, extended test is good however sometimes
difficult to negociate. I was lucky however and managed to convince
the shop owner that he will surely need a 19'' frame anyway but I will
take the bicycle now if he will change me the frame later if needed. I
am going to test it in an extended fashion this weekend.
Len
www.len.ro
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Date: 17 May 2007 04:23:14
From: Steve Gravrock
Subject: Re: mtb frame size question. Virtual top tube 5 cm shorter, how important?
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On 2007-05-16, len <marilen.corciovei@gmail.com > wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am trying to buy a new bicycle (mtb hardtail) and since I had some
> knee problems recently I spent a lot of time calculating (via various
> sources on the net) the ideal frame size. According to the most of
> them the most important measure is the virtual top tube which for me
> should be 60.70 - 61.72. Unfortunately where I live there are very few
> bicycles shops which do not bring all frame sizes. I like a bicycle
> labeled (17'') which has the virtual top tube 55 cm (5 cm shorter).
> How much would this influence my geometry? Should I buy it like this?
Ask the shop owner to let you take it on an extended test ride. Don't
just ride in the parking lot or around the block a few times -- put
some time on it. If it feels good, buy it. If not, you've got a far
more useful reference point than any online fitting guide will give
you.
Minor differences in reach can be accomplished by changing the stem.
5cm is a bit much, but you won't really know if it's that far off until
you ride it.
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Date: 16 May 2007 19:44:09
From: Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Hayfever Edition ®
Subject: Re: mtb frame size question. Virtual top tube 5 cm shorter, how important?
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"len" <marilen.corciovei@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1179311233.310161.291600@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> Hello,
>
> I am trying to buy a new bicycle (mtb hardtail) and since I had some
> knee problems recently I spent a lot of time calculating (via various
> sources on the net) the ideal frame size. According to the most of
> them the most important measure is the virtual top tube which for me
> should be 60.70 - 61.72. Unfortunately where I live there are very few
> bicycles shops which do not bring all frame sizes. I like a bicycle
> labeled (17'') which has the virtual top tube 55 cm (5 cm shorter).
> How much would this influence my geometry? Should I buy it like this?
> A 19'' cannot be available until 4 weeks and a 21'' until next week.
> Is it better to have a bike which frame is longer or shorter?
> I am 1.85m, inseam 86 cm and I buy a cross like mtb for the city and
> short excursions (nothing extreme).
>
> I greatly appreciate any advice,
> Len
>
With mtb, if you can't find the perfect size, it's better to go a little
smaller than bigger, as you would have more control on the trail with a
smaller frame. Think of a mtb as a big bmx bike; you want to be able to
throw it around. This is of course assuming you will be using the bike
mostly off road. If you want to ride it mostly on the street, then it
wouldn't matter. In that case, you should probably get a road bike where
top tube length is more crucial. Just my 2 cents.
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