Re: [CR]It's not quite my size, but I think I could ride it

(Example: Framebuilders)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]It's not quite my size, but I think I could ride it
References: <OF2531EA6D.9A6183AA-ON85256F0B.0061113E-85256F0B.0065FF94@mail.gm.com>
From: "Morgan Fletcher" <morgan@hahaha.org>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 12:00:02 -0700
In-Reply-To: (marcus e. helman's message of "Fri, 10 Sep 2004 14:34:05 -0400")


marcus.e.helman@gm.com writes:
> Do you ever buy bikes with no intention of riding them?

Never
> Of the bikes you buy with the intent to ride, how far from your nominal
> frame size do you deviate?

1cm
> Do you buy bikes that don't fit well with the thought that you can ride
> it for awhile, until something better comes along?

It's not worth it. The nicest bike that doesn't fit well will be unpleasant to ride. Fit is critical.
> What is the range of sizes of your regular riders?

My regular riders are 60cm x 59cm, c-c.

My two current projects are both *sigh* 59cm c-c. My next project is 60cm, but cracked and will be expensive to restore. I have an opportunity to buy a correct, uncracked frame to match the fork of this project - same marque, same time period - for a fair price, but it's also 59cm. It would save me hundreds of dollars, but the 1cm is that big of a deal to me that I'm hesitating. Life is full of larger and more significant torments, but this one gets to me.

I ride ~175 miles a week, and I want every retro bike to also be fully rideable.

Morgan "Sucks to ride 60cm in a 57cm world." Fletcher Oakland, CA