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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

2347.0. "Advice needed on Specialized or used?" by DNEAST::APPANEAL_JIM () Thu Jul 09 1992 14:50

    I am looking for a road bike. I was looking to buy a good used, but the
    selection is limited in my size. Being new at biking Ive been trying to
    figure out what size I need. It looked like a 60cm, or 24"-25"
    
    The one new bike I found that sounded like a good deal is a 91 leftover
    Specilized Sirrue triple. This bike according to the bike shop listed
    for $550, and they are selling them for $350. They did not have my size
    in stock but said they were getting in a shipment and would have a
    58cm. They think this will fit because they claim Specilized run big??
    
    Needless to say I'm concerned about the fit. and won't buy this if it
    doesn't fit correctly. But the price sounded too good, and I left a
    deposit on one with the understanding that it was refundable.
    
    Now can any one give me their comments on this bike? Is this truley a
    good deal?? Do they run large? How critical is a 58vs60, can it be set
    up to fit??? 
    The compoents on this bike are suntour, I think they are Blaze, or
    edge? and it has a triple crank 52/42/32. 
    
    Also I'm not totally committed to this bike and would consider a good
    quality used if any one is looking to sell one??
    
    All inputs are appreciated.
    
                            Jim Appaneal
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2347.1With regard to smaller frame...ODIXIE::RRODRIGUEZR-SQUAREDThu Jul 09 1992 15:039
2347.2check out the fit directlySHALOT::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredThu Jul 09 1992 15:2914
    
    As you can imagine, bike sizes (being measured in linear units)
    can't "run big" like say shoes or shirts (with American size-numbers,
    as opposed to other countries' which use linear measurements).
    
    58cm can only mean a few things, e.g., center-to-center from
    crank spindle to top-tube, or center-to-top.  That's a variance
    of maybe 1cm.  Anyway, the simple thing is just to go down when
    the bike comes in and see if it fits.  (A facile answer, I know.)
    
    Bearing your inseam and other bodily proportions in mind, a good
    shop should be able to check the fit pretty simply.
    
    -john
2347.3exLJOHUB::CRITZThu Jul 09 1992 16:1211
    	Just an FYI, Jim, but 60cm does not equate to 24'' or 25''.
    
    		60.0 cm = 23.6 inches
    		61.0 cm = 24.0 inches
    		62.0 cm = 24.4 inches
    		63.0 cm = 24.8 inches
    		63.5 cm = 25.0 inches
    
    	You need to find out what size you need and go from there.
    
    	Scott
2347.4DANGER::JBELLAleph naught bottles of beer on the wall...Thu Jul 09 1992 18:4316
>    	Just an FYI, Jim, but 60cm does not equate to 24'' or 25''.
>    
>    		60.0 cm = 23.6 inches
>....

    If it's 60cm center to center, then it's going to be
    really close to 24" center to top.

    I think that some manufacturers measure center to top of lug.
    On a Cannondale this is significant.

    The sizes are rarely spot-on anyways.

    -Jeff Bell


2347.5More confusionDNEAST::APPANEAL_JIMThu Jul 09 1992 19:5218
    
    This gets more confusing on the size all the time! this would tell me
    that 58cm= 22.8" which really sounds small?? can you actually convert
    a cm to inches and expect it to be the same??
    
    Also at noon I took arun to another bike shop here in Nashua. 
    They had the exact same bike, a 91 selling it for a sale price of $499.
    and The bike salesman in this store also indicated that in this brand
    he would expect I would take a 58 cm where he said a 60 in another
    brand??
    
    I guess the only real way to know is wait for it to come in and see how
    it fits!! 
    
    Can anyone give me some pointers on what to look for for the correct
    fit??
    
    Jim
2347.6some thoughts on fitSHALOT::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredThu Jul 09 1992 20:1425
    
    I did a DIR/TITLE=FIT since the first of the year, but only found
    the following.  There must be older notes.  
    
>================================================================================
>Note 2338.10          HELP!! Is the 1200 for SDI worth it?              10 of 12
>SHALOT::ELLIS "John Lee Ellis - assembly required"   22 lines   2-JUL-1992 11:35
>                           -< some thoughts on fit >-
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
[...]
    
    There are multiple dimensions of bike fit, and many rules-of-thumb for
    fitting you to the bike.  
    
    Important measurements include inseam (or its equivalent), tibia
    length, torso length, and elbow-to-hand length.  It's important to get
    the correct frame size (and geometry), but presumably you should be
    able to get the brand you want in the size that's right for you.
    (An obvious statement, but what I'm saying is, if you prefer the
    Trek's (or Fuji's or DiamondBack's, or whatever's) geometry, components, 
    ride, etc., but the frame they have in the shop doesn't fit you, you can 
    order one in that brand that does.
    
[...]
2347.7JUNCO::HUIFri Jul 10 1992 17:3712
General Rule is that you have about 1" of clearance between you and the top
tube when you are standing flat footed over the top tube. If you are planning
to race, you might even consider 1.25". From there, the salesman should know 
how long of a stem you need, saddle adjustment etc.. You might even consider
spending some money to get fitted. Some shops do it for free if you are
purchasing a bike that is about $600 and up. The problem is that since you are
looking to spending $350.00 for a $550 bike, the shop employee might not give
you that extra service because he is not making any money on that bike. 

Good Luck,

Dave
2347.8I bought it!DNEAST::APPANEAL_JIMMon Jul 13 1992 17:547
    Well I bought a road bike on my way back to Augusta on friday! I
    stopped at a bike shop in Freeport and they had a 60 cm "91 Trek 1000.
    The price was the same as the Specilized and it has an alunimum frame.
    The compoents are not as good the other bike had Suntour edge, and this
    has Suntour Blaze, but it fits!!!
    
    Thanks for the help,    Jim