Help with frame sizing

[Supreme]

Hi

New to the forum but not to bikes. Been a single speed rider all my life, think I had geared bike once when I was 7 or 8 but it didn't last long.

Been mostly riding 70's 80's track and road conversion bikes over the last 10-15 years.

We have recently moved to the foot of the South Downs and I want to do some exploring and I'm looking for a mid 90's MTB to do this on.

I am about 5'8 and ride 52/53cm track/road frames, so what would this equate to in retro MTB terms? My guess is 16.5/17" and I'm assuming that this is measured c to c?

Thanks in advance

Alex

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Assuming you are of bog standard proportion, you'll be 18" kona sizes,measured centre to the top of the seat tube (q/r post area).

You can use this to measure up and gives ideas if you're not bog standard.
And in fact how to measure yourself properly for a bike (not for clothes)
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store ... orBike.jsp

 

[jimo746]

Re:

For a mid 90's frame then the above table is a good guide, but remember that different manufacturers measured their frames slightly differently, eg centre to centre. Or centre to top. So be prepared to go an inch or two either way.
If you were looking at earlier 80's MTB's then they are usually sized larger, and don'toften have sloping top tubes to help with stsndover height.

You can still stay singlespeed on a MTB you know

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Another idea is to pop into the area groups, see who is there and try some bikes for size. They may be able to help you with where to ride.

viewforum.php?f=72

 

[Supreme]

Re:

Thank you all for the great responses.

I'm a fairly average build. However I do like a compact reach on my previous bikes so tend to run short stems which I can do on an MTB.

I know that you can run single speed MTB but want something totally different to what I'm used to. I'm most likely to run a rear deralieur, single chainring config.

Would be looking at mid 90's bikes, Kona is looking like the best spec/availability but if budget allows would also consider an Orange or Pace.

Cheers

Alex

 

[Lester Luallin]

Re:

I just go by ETT. I'm 5'7". Like 54cm ETT road frames.

I like 56 - 58cm ETT MTB frames. That can be found on anything from a 14" Barracuda a2r to a 19.5" Trek 4000. So you never know.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

I'm 5'8" too, mostly legs with stubby arms, and I prefer a 16-17" frames. 18" can work too, depending on TT length, and a shorter stem helps me too.

HTH