Old racer frame sizes and locating some good ones

[bene313]

Now sold on the fixie, I'm looking around for an old racer to convert. I've noticed many advertised in the local papers have their size quoted in inches.

What exactly is being quoted here? Is it from the ground to the top tube? Or the top tube length? I don't know a lot about bikes...

Also, if I'm 174cm tall (average build) what size range should I be looking at?

Lastly, are the local papers the best place to be looking? Can anyone recommend LBSs in Perth which may have some older racers worth considering?

Cheers

Ben

[bene313]

I should also mention that I went to the frame size calculator at the competitive cycling website which gave me a top tube of about 54cm and a seat tube of the same.

Looking forward to getting into this fixed gear business. ;)

[vee_dub]

56cm is good for you...
I ride 56 and i am 183cm. I can go up to 58cm but i just like smaller frame and easier to handle.

What type of frame u loooking for? I might have some at my house, u can have it for cheap. Where u located?

[bene313]

Hey Dubs

I'm in Perth (I think I read elsewhere that you're east coast) and I'm not sure if 56cm would be slightly big for me.

Anyway, I've found an old track bike which has been half done up. Picking it up tomorrow and post some flicks soon...

Ben

[bene313]

BTW - Still hoping someone can clarify my original question regarding size.

ie. racers shown as 27" etc. I think it means from the ground to the top of the top tube, but I'm not sure.

Cheers

Ben

[europa]

It varies mate, so check. Usually it means centre bracket to centre of the top tube along the seat tube, but if you can work out a variation, the factories have and still do use them (my Trek is centre bracket to top of the seat tube, despite the top tube being a couple of inches lower).

Richard

[MountGower]

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[jonbays]

An old racing bike will have 27" wheels for sure they all will no probs there.

You will need to get the frame size to suit you though.

mostly you will find old racers quoting the frame size in inches like 22" frame which will mean 22" from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. For you 21.5" to 22.5" should be about right.

As a guide 20" frames for woman or child 21 for a short man 22 average man 23 for a tall man.

[bene313]

Thanks.

So if one is to manually measure the top tube, is it usually best to measure from the centre of the T-joins at each end?

[cray-]

sizes shmizes...get back to the important stuff....where'd you score this half build track bike and where are the pics already!!!! come on...spill!

[europa]

Thanks.

So if one is to manually measure the top tube, is it usually best to measure from the centre of the T-joins at each end?

Most people measure centre to centre, it's also the most relevant method, so use that as your default. Three things you want to watch - that the seat post isn't so short you have a ridiculous length of seat post showing, that the steering head is high enough so you don't have excessive drop to the bars and that the top post isn't too long or short (thus affecting your reach).

Until you've actually found a bike that fits and can measure it for comparison with others, the safe way is to actually sit on the bike and see how it fits.

Richard

[jonbays]

mostly you measure frame tube lengths centre to centre but for some obscure reason I always measured the seat tube in centre to top. So it was a fashion some while back at least. It's not a good measure centre to centre is how you have to build the frames.