I am a rider, not a collector or mechanic. I was fit in my mid twenties by a man who was in his 70's at the time, Ceasar Moretti Jr. He was a six day racer in the 1930's thru the 1950's. This was over 30 years ago. He got it right. I'm 57 years young now and that frame size is still what fits the best. Over the years I've always had at the minimum two bikes and as many as seven at one time. Almost all within the CR timeline. Like many on the list, I've crashed, had stolen, been given by teams, bought as junk or from the most reputable shop many, many bikes over the years. I've experimented with sizes as much as 3 centimeters one way or the other and always sold those bikes. A couple were very impressive bikes that anyone in their right mind might have kept, but they never felt right. The key is to stick with your best fit. Happy riding!
James Doolittle Spring, Texas - where the dogwoods and redbuds are blooming in the forest!, Texas
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Robert Goughary Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 12:34 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR] vintage frame size question
This is a good one for all you with more experience than me - particularly those of you that have built frames or sized people up in shops, etc...
when buying a vintage frame sight-unseen, how do you know if the frame will fit? Not - what would be the perfect fit - but let's say you run across a Richard Sachs from the seventies and the only thing you know is seatpost height - what do you do?
I am 5'11" or so - normal build and size - how do i know what are the fitting extremes? - what is to small, way too small and too big and way too big? Example - can a 6' guy fit on a 54" frame? Or a 60cm? (seatpost C-C)
I have a couple bikes that fit - so i'm more concerned about the random find online or maybe at a flea market, etc...
Thanks
Rob Goughary
Stamford, CT USA