retro road bike wanted

[bobo]

I'm 6ft tall and looking for a nice retro road bike not sure what size frame i need i'm located in exeter devon.

 

[kula]

bobo, back in the day when an 80's bike was modern, a rule of thumb was about 10 inches off your inside leg measurement. If you are of an average build for 6ft, then I'd say you are either a 22.5inch or 23.5" this is measured centre of bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube, known as centre to top.
This assumes that the seat tube doesn't extend past the top tube. If the seat tube does extend past the top tube, you would quote a Centre to Centre measurement.

You are best having a sit or a ride on a retro bike before you spash any of the folding stuff.
send me a pm with where you live in Exeter as I have a friend who has both these sizes and would probably be happy for you the try them.

 

[alanf1968]

Good advice there Kula, just keep watching your local classifieds, ebay, retrobike forum sales and CTC website forum is pretty good too, if your looking at mountain bikes however you need to look 2/3 inches smaller generally, hope you find something soon

 

[viscount]

Road bikes...

Bobo, good advice above re sizes and seeking what you want.

I'm 6'1" and have several retro road machines, (Far too many in fact) from 1948 Holdsworth La Quelda, 50s Sun Wasp, Dawes Double Blue, to 1990 Claud Butler 531ST Criterium. Depends what you call retro!

Was thinking of offering a couple on here to see what happens. The Criterium might be a good starter for you. It's currently running with straight bars with a view to using as a single speed/fixed but will make an excellent tourer with its Reynolds ST. (Super Tourer tubing)

Trying to post this with links to help you I get told I need to have more posts before I can do it..... So I cannot post links.... Won't be bothering anymore. Sorry.

Good luck anyway.
John.