Big bikes were popular 45-60 years ago...

[jim haseltine]

When I was in my teen years the general rule of thumb was that a frame should be 10" smaller than the rider's inside leg measurement which put a lot of lads onto 23-24" frames. I used to ride 24" or 25" frames (I seem to recall I had a 26" Woodrup at one point) until I switched to continental manufacturers and longer cranks - I now ride 57cm centre-centre which translate to a touch under 23" in traditional British centre-top sizing.

 

[Rapparee87]

That's starting to make sense, in the late 70s here in Ireland, my pal who was 12 at the time got an Eddy Merckx bike for his birthday, and it was HUGE.

Does anyone else remember these Eddys? It wasn't a lightweight or anything. Had a diamond shape logo on the head tube, with a black and white pic of Eddy in it. Maybe before he started out on his own?

 

[Freeman]

I could see that the ego played a big part in this. Everyone wants to be a big man, so if you are in a bike shop with choices you would want to prove you could handle a big-boy's bike. With not much experience riding or racing, I can see that being more of a factor than being comfortable or being able to get "aero" for racing. Now that I am in my 60s and slowing down and riding upright more, frame size is not as big a factor as it is going to be for a young fast man, especially one who might race.

 

[Freeman]

The closest I ever got to owning a "randonneur" was when I put fenders and a rack on this 25" framed bike for use one winter. I took this equipment off after the winter as I found I prefered using a messenger back over the shoulder, and also that I prefered to ride in nice weather.

 

[pigman]

I could see that the ego played a big part in this. Everyone wants to be a big man, so if you are in a bike shop with choices you would want to prove you could handle a big-boy's bike. With not much experience riding or racing, I can see that being more of a factor than being comfortable or being able to get "aero" for racing. Now that I am in my 60s and slowing down and riding upright more, frame size is not as big a factor as it is going to be for a young fast man, especially one who might race.

Think they were made by Falcon cycles (??) who had licence to brand some bikes EM. My mate had one in blue and put cowhorn bars on it

There's a blue one that looks to have been abandoned in Sheffield city centre. It's been there for at least a couple of years. Back then it was in mint condition. Now the tyres are flat and the chain is rusty. I've not been close enough to inspect in detail. Because it's off the beaten track and outside a shop, no one has attempted to strip it yet

 

[The History Man]

25” is my preferred size.

 

[The History Man]

I suppose this is cheating ?

 

[Kempes]

I suppose this is cheating ? View attachment 958686

I have a Condor with the same Freuler geometry, very nice to ride and I personally prefer the look of extending the seat and head tube vs having a larger frame.

 

[jim haseltine]

Think they were made by Falcon cycles (??) who had licence to brand some bikes EM. My mate had one in blue and put cowhorn bars on it

There's a blue one that looks to have been abandoned in Sheffield city centre. It's been there for at least a couple of years. Back then it was in mint condition. Now the tyres are flat and the chain is rusty. I've not been close enough to inspect in detail. Because it's off the beaten track and outside a shop, no one has attempted to strip it yet

Yes, built (well, assembled) by Falcon and bloody awful things they were too. I saw a costing sheet for one of the better models in 1980 and the bottom line was a touch over £10. The frames were imported in bulk from the Far East and over the years production of the head badges had been contracted out to successively cheaper suppliers (who had no idea who Eddy Merckx was or what he looked like) with the result that his features had taken on a distinctly Oriental appearance.

 

[Scott-S]

Thanks @Freeman, I think you just reminded me exactly why I never liked "Racers" as we called them back then.
I could never figure out why but it was the size, they were always far too big for the kids/ young adults that rode them and I hated that it looked both unsafe and uncomfortable.
It also explains why I am now starting to look at them with a far more tolerant and appreciative eye, when seeen in perspective with an adult they look just fine.

Great thread, thanks for sharing