I have a question: At what frame size does one start having to make compromises to fit 700c wheels? I've never seen this addressed. Thanks!
On Sep 1, 9:36 pm, Peter Jon White <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Well stated. When you build a frame that size for 700c rims, the only > way to get the top tube short enough is to make the seat tube angle > very steep. But that short top tube dimension is illusory. You'd get > the same effect by using a slacker seat tube angle and one of those > time trial seat posts that positions the saddle forward. The steep > seat tube angle places the rider's center of mass well forward and she > ends up supporting her torso's weight with her arms. > > With smaller wheels such as 559-26" the seat tube can have a better > laid back angle and you can have a short top tube, without so much > overlap in front. > > On Sep 1, 9:00 pm, "Lisa -S.H." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Adding to this thought, I would also say that the poster is looking for > > a 48-50cm frame, apparently for a small woman. They also want to put > > fenders on it. This brings up the issue of wheel size and toe overlap, > > etc. A frame of that size would probably have to have wheels smaller > > than 700c, especially if fenders were wanted. > > > Aside from this issue, I personally feel that a smallish woman really > > should test ride a bike before buying it. Most stock bikes are made to > > men's proportions (even the small ones) and many of them have geometry > > that makes women feel poorly balanced. Reach/balance problems are an > > ongoing issue for many (not all) women who buy stock bikes. It's a very > > common problem for women riders. > > I believe that it's not the best scenario for a man to buy a stock frame > > for a woman without the women test riding it. Even if she has limited > > riding experience, if she rides ten various bikes on test rides, she > > will still get a feeling for which ones feel good to her body and which > > don't. There will be some that are the "right size" frame for her > > height but are uncomfortable because their geometry is poorly suited to > > her body proportions, and in some cases no amount of fitting/tweaking > > will ever make them comfortable for her. Elbow pain, numb hands, aching > > shoulders, etc. can eventually make someone just not want to ride bike > > anymore. But once one finds a bike that has the geometry that fits > > them beautifully, they can then use those same frame geometry numbers > > when shopping for other bikes in the future. > > > Even though I can truly appreciate the thoughtful sentiment of building > > a bike for your partner/girlfriend/wife, when it comes to women riders I > > think it's especially important to test ride a stock bike before > > buying. It becomes even more critical if she is petite. > > Just my own two cent opinion. :) > > Lisa --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
