What size frame shall I restore?

[glenfield2]

I feel a bit like Goldilocks here. I have one frame that seems too big and one that looks too small. I’d like to renovate one - but which?

They’re bare frame sets (from different makers) one is 24 inch c to c seat tube, the other 22 inch. That’s 60cm against 56.

I ride a modern 54cm bike. My inseam is 31.5in/80cm.

I’m afraid my instinct says I should wait for the Goldilocks one that’s just right.

 

[winjohn]

Depends on whether you intend to keep the bike to ride after building it or you mean to sell it on.

If the former then I would definitely wait for the correct size.

Having said that, I usually ride a modern 58cm road bike (34in inseam) and 60cm is good for me in a more traditional frame so I'd be surprised if the 60cm is not much too big for you, if you build one then the 56cm is more likely to fit.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Check the toptube length though.
Seattube affects standover and bar height, and an over inserted post or stem raiser look ugly.
These are mostly aesthetic choices.

If you're comfy on a modern 54, that's probably 55 toptube - 56 toptube would be fine with stem choice and saddle layback.

 

[sjcprojects]

Well, you can do more about a frame being a bit too small than it being too large.

It sounds like I’m pretty much the same size as @winjohn and I ride bikes from 56-60cm. For me a 56 means quite a long seat post, but I find they still ride nicely.

I agree with the above, 60cm would definitely be a stretch for you so I’d go for the 56. If it’s a really nice frame, it’ll be worth riding with just more seat post showing.

 

[pigman]

With your measurements, the 54 sounds about ideal. I can't work out how the 56 looks too small

 

[Coalfield]

There are so many nice used bikes for sale these days at bargain prices (at least in USA), that finding a perfect fitting frame should not be so hard. Refurbishing a used bike that you ultimately find to be uncomfortable is an exercise in futility. That said, with the variety of stems, handlebars and seatposts a person can usually make a frame that is slightly off your perfect size work acceptably well.

My group of bikes ranged from 58-62cm, but recently I had to acknowledge that the 58cm ones were the least preferred - so they moved on.