Help please for non roadie...

[Twister]

Hi, I'm thinking about buying a road frame. First one for 33 years and have no idea about frame sizes. I'm 5'11" with 32.5" inside leg; would a frame with 58.5cm seat tube be too big for me?

Also, I'm used to MTB handle bar setup, if I buy a road frame and install flat bars with bar ends will I look a knob, and will it work with the frame geometry?

Thanks for the assistance, I can hear the laughter already.

 

[kula]

If you are going for a retro style frame, i.e one made of usually of steel and have a level top tube like a bike in the 70's 80's and early to mid 90's. I would say a 57cm frame that's measured centre to top of the seat tube. this equates to an od fashioned 22.5 inch, where as the frame you mention sounds like a 23.5 inch.

the 57cm frame should allow you have enough seat pin showing and normally allow you to get the seat higher than the bars so it looks visually correct and also will be much better to handle and ultimately ride better.

The bad news for you, I guess is that I've noticed that 54 and 57cm frames fit the average guy, so can be harder or more expensive to grab if you go the ebay route.

 

[kula]

As for straight bars etc, why not just buy a hybrid

 

[hamster]

You'll get used to drops quickly enough, don't worry.

Road bikes with flat bars are for gym rats venturing out from the spin class for the first time... :roll:

 

[Chute55uk]

im 5.10 and ride a 54 but i fit equally as well on my mates 58 cm trek? they are modern bikes but when i used to ride old money bikes id go for a 21" every time.

 

[Twister]

As for straight bars etc, why not just buy a hybrid

I wanted to stay 1999 or earlier, any suggestions of hybrids from the 90s that weren't BSOs?

 

[jax13]

I had a similar criteria & went for a mtb ahead stem on a road frame with a brahma bar attached then used down tube converters to get the cables to where they should be & threw on a cheap set of mtb thumbies. it might not look traditional but it works damn well as a commuter / turbo trainer ride although i may invest in a better road bike down the line & keep the drops on it if i get chance to go for longer road jaunts.