Ultimate Bike Thread....

[sc_rufctr]

[Joe Bob]

Not a bad price......very short frame. How tall are you?

[Joe Bob]

Yeah....that is for someone with really short legs or a normal 5-5'2" person.

The top tube and lower tube have no space at the front wheel. That looks to be a 49/50ish CM bike frame. I ride a 56 at 5'10" and 32 inch inseam.Compare these two.....

[Joe Bob]

MAYBE a 52......still a midget frame.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

I'm no midget.

All midgets say that. I should know, because I ride a 53/ 54 frame.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Yeah....that is for someone with really short legs or a normal 5-5'2" person.

The top tube and lower tube have no space at the front wheel. That looks to be a 49/50ish CM bike frame. I ride a 56 at 5'10" and 32 inch inseam.Compare these two.....

I'm 6'2", and my Kona's a 56. Probably a tiny bit small for me, but it still works for its intended goal - ride to get in shape & loose weight.

-Z

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Z-man

I'm 6'2", and my Kona's a 56. Probably a tiny bit small for me, but it still works for its intended goal - ride to get in shape & loose weight.

-Z

Are you loving that bike, Z-man? Made any improvements to it?

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

The top tube and lower tube have no space at the front wheel. That looks to be a 49/50ish CM bike frame.

The Trek is an alloy frame, and the downtube is extra chubby so it makes it look even smaller at the headttube.

I'll say that's a 52, more'n likely, - too small for someone 5 feet 9 inches.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

5'10" with shoes on.

lol, enjoy the bike

Personally, I like a smaller bike usually one size smaller because they are quicker and more responsive.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by look 171

lol, enjoy the bike

Personally, I like a smaller bike usually one size smaller because they are quicker and more responsive.

Agree. If need to, that Trek could be configured to his size with a different stem, post, etc. but the only thing to really be concerned with is the toe overlap.... crank length and how close the toe comes to the front tire in a corner.

[Bill Verburg]

Pick one

[nostatic]

Most people ride a frame that is too small for them.

[Racerbvd]

Most people ride a frame that is too small for them.

Was that a shot at me

[look 171]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

Agree. If need to, that Trek could be configured to his size with a different stem, post, etc. but the only thing to really be concerned with is the toe overlap.... crank length and how close the toe comes to the front tire in a corner.

All my life, including the toe clip day my one of my foot will the front tire each and every time when I crank the front wheel. I have never needed to crank the front wheel that much where it will hit my foot. Never when I am on the bike. Not even a track stand in the dead middle of traffic. I agree with you, it the frame is too small, then that's a small issue. No matter what, the ball of the foot should be right over the pedal spindle hitting the front tire or not.

[Racerbvd]

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Are you loving that bike, Z-man? Made any improvements to it?

Absolutely loving the bike! Been riding just about every other day for the past month. It is great to get back in the saddle, after not doing any biking for nearly 20 years. Bike tech sure has changed in that time! I went for a 14 mile ride today after work -- average speed was just over 12mph for the hour and 12 minute trip. I know -- slow and short - but at least it's a baseline for me!

As for the upgrades:

- Replaced MTB tires with skinnier ones that came with the bike. Since I plan to be on the tarmac 99% of the time, I'd rather have less rolling resistence.
- Replaced old Blackburn speedo (Atom 2.0) with new Planet Bike wireless computer (Protege 9.0).
- Replaced seat bag, added new front bag with iPhone case
- Replaced crappy headlight with Night Rider 500 lumens light. (Wow! What a difference)
- Added a kickstand and mirror
- Cleaned bike & chain

I had a local Campmoor bike guy replace the tires - and asked for a quick tune up, but he said the bike's solid, and I don't need anything -- he did adjust the front brakes as they were dragging a little, while we swapped out the tires. He also said that the derailers are higher-end units, and it is rare to see a Kona Dew Plus with the upgrades that are on my bike, including the front suspension, drivetrain, and the aero wheels I have (forgot the brand). He estimates that my bike without those upgrades would retail for just under $700. So having paid $400 for my 2011 used bike, I did get a great deal on it.

So the frame's a little smaller than ideal for me -- I can crank up the seat an inch, and be fine - for now. After all, I'm not riding to win races, or for show, so this bike fits the bill for me.

Found a neat app for tracking my rides. It's called Run Keeper and uses GPS to map out the ride. The app is nice in that it gives you a decent amount of stats including mph average per mile, elevation changes, time to reach each mile...etc. Only have one trip on it, but so far, I am happy with what the app gives me.

Can't wait to get back on the bike again!
-Z-man

[look 171]

Z,

it sounds like you are having a grand old time on it. Keep upp the great work. I don't know how old is the bike? My suggestion is to replace the chain. Its no fun is you are sprinting for a light or climbing a hill where the stress is the greatest. It can snap, then there goes the big old johnson. Not worth saving the 25 bucks IMO.[/QUOTE]

[sc_rufctr]

[sc_rufctr]

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by look 171

All my life, including the toe clip day my one of my foot will the front tire each and every time when I crank the front wheel. I have never needed to crank the front wheel that much where it will hit my foot. Never when I am on the bike. Not even a track stand in the dead middle of traffic. I agree with you, it the frame is too small, then that's a small issue. No matter what, the ball of the foot should be right over the pedal spindle hitting the front tire or not.

No doubt experienced riders have a better awareness of overlap, in addition likely have toe clips or clipless pedals. Still yet, even if they have a pedal set-up which also keeps the foot from slipping forward AND has overlap, it could surprise them in a quick evasive manuever and down they go.

The problem are those riders buying a tight geometry frame and if they don't know whether if in fact has overlap. One quick swerve while pedaling and they won't understand why they crashed.

Personally, I really like the newer compact frames with short crank riding 700C wheels for both on and off road.