Road novice bike advice/help required!

[NeilM]

Top tube measured 58.5cm and the stem 105cm and it felt like it fit me well...I dont want to be too bent over...

Assuming that is the theoretical top tube (in other words a straight line), then using 'old fashioned' measurements, it looks like Matt was spot on and a 58cm (23") frame would be a good starting point.

 

[wookiee]

Top tube measured 58.5cm and the stem 105cm and it felt like it fit me well...I dont want to be too bent over...

Assuming that is the theoretical top tube (in other words a straight line), then using 'old fashioned' measurements, it looks like Matt was spot on and a 58cm (23") frame would be a good starting point.

Yes that sounds about right!

 

[oonaff]

i dont know what claris sti feels like but i prefer the older rsx 14 speed or even down tube shifters to sora.
This 60cm peugoet sold for £126

 

[NeilM]

When I built up my first road bike last year, I used ten speed Tiagra 4500 shifters, as they were pretty cheap from Ribble. So far so good.

They are probably a bit over built, but they shift easily and reliably.

 

[jon w]

Can't comment on frame size. I've found a huge variation, and have tended to try rather than measure.

As to straight bars, No crime there, I've done it and find it easier for general riding.

 

[oonaff]

yeah i found sora 8sp functional but the shifting felt like the internals were made of plastic components that were not of good tolerances, i was disapointed with them.may be i expected too much, they are after all shimano's base model. its good to here positive feed back from the forum about tiagra and i hope we will get some on claris .

 

[wookiee]

...so has anyone got a 58-60cm bike they no longer want/need??

 

[NeilM]

Try a wanted in the road section, also try dropping Tel a PM, as he has a little bike business.

Also, drop LGF a PM, as he seems to be able to pick up frames / bikes / components at will from his local tip. :mrgreen:

Gumtree is nice and local, with the usual proviso of 'if it looks too good to be true, it probably is'.

 

[wookiee]

Try a wanted in the road section, also try dropping Tel a PM, as he has a little bike business.

Also, drop LGF a PM, as he seems to be able to pick up frames / bikes / components at will from his local tip. :mrgreen:

Gumtree is nice and local, with the usual proviso of 'if it looks too good to be true, it probably is'.

yeah I have an ad in the wanted section and I have been trawling ebay...looking at gumtree as we speak...who is Tel? Of course I am aware of the LGF and his lucky as f**k tip finds!

 

[NeilM]

yeah I have an ad in the wanted section and I have been trawling ebay...looking at gumtree as we speak...who is Tel? Of course I am aware of the LGF and his lucky as f**k tip finds!

Tel is one of the mods on the road section, his handle is... Tel.