Frame size question

[SanPedro]

I inherited an early 90s Peugeot road bike a few years ago. Just recently I've been getting aches and pains in my back and shoulders after longer rides. After measuring the frame and doing some reading I realize that the frame is way to big. I've measured the seat tube at 61cm, which is for people 6' 1" and up. Sadly I am 5' 10".

I'm thinking of swapping the components over to another frame. But what size should I be looking at for my height? Inside leg is 31". A quick google suggests 54cm, but thought I'd check here first.

And any pitfalls I need to look out for when buying? And will the components fit any frame from that era? (Exc. Obvious items like Italian threaded bb).

 

[legrandefromage]

A rough guide is that there shouldnt be too much weight over the bars - you should be able to lift your hands off the bars without rolling forward. That seems to stop numbness in the back and hands.

Top tube length is just as important too so maybe a shorter top tube rather than a 'square' frame. 54cm sounds a bit small and would suggest a 56cm? Try and find somewhere that will let you try a few bikes and take a tape measure with you.

 

[SanPedro]

A rough guide is that there shouldnt be too much weight over the bars - you should be able to lift your hands off the bars without rolling forward. That seems to stop numbness in the back and hands.

Top tube length is just as important too so maybe a shorter top tube rather than a 'square' frame. 54cm sounds a bit small and would suggest a 56cm? Try and find somewhere that will let you try a few bikes and take a tape measure with you.

Interesting what you say about the numbness in the hands, which I also get. When I'm riding, the seatpost is about as far down as it can go, which suggests the bike is too big. I also have the saddle about as far forward as it will go on it's rails.

I was thinking I'd be having to buy a second hand frame, but a quick search suggests there are plenty of new steel frames available. I quite like the look of this: http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOBRV/ho ... x-frameset

 

[cromoman]

Re:

It depends on what equipment you've got on the old frame.

That Holdsworth frame can't take downtube shifters, it needs recessed rather than nutted brakes and probably needs an ahead stem. It'll also be 130mm spaced at the back, which is likely to be different from the old bike, so the wheels might not fit either.

Regarding the size, while 61 clearly sounds too big, don't be tempted to go too small. I think you're more likely to suffer pain from a bike that's too low or too short.

 

[SanPedro]

This is all the kinds of stuff I need help with. I'd thought about the brakes, but not the axle. Just checked on nutted/recessed brakes and mine are recessed, which I'm guessing are more modern. It is a minefield out there sometimes for a noob.

 

[Jonny69]

I'm your height. Top tube lengths centre-to-centre: 54 for the smaller lower end of the scale, (55 feels 'right' for me) and 56 for the bigger end of the scale. Mostly depends on your leg to body ratio on your height.

 

[SanPedro]

Re:

@jonny69

My inside leg is 31", so I'm pretty average sizewise.

 

[Little Al]

Make sure your bits & pieces of the "PUG" are not french threaded or you are going to have to replace a lot, BB & if the chain set is French thread swopping the pedals will be a pain to get the correct spindle thread should tell you by the pedal spindle hole on the back of the crank if it's english threading you should to go.

 

[non-fixie]

Re: Re:

@jonny69

My inside leg is 31", so I'm pretty average sizewise.

I have a 35" inseam and a 62-63cm CT frame gives me a "fistful" of seat post and a nice French fit. Translated to you: 31" * 0.7 = 55-56cm CT.

I also have a preference for older frames, as their top tubes tend to be shorter and more comfortable for me. YMMV.