Hey reddit, I'm brand new to the world of vintage bikes (really bikes in general) and am looking for some advice on if this lovely sears Simpson sears road bike is too small for me or not. I'm 6'1.8 and mostly torso and intend to use the bike for commuting to work and bike touring/camping. I measured the frame to be 58cm tall (which I beleave to be my size) but the top tube to be 53.5 cm long. When I'm on the bike the frame feels like it's in the right spot between my legs but the stem feels maybe a tad close. The first picture is me on the bike in my average riding position. So far I've ridden the bike to and from work for the last week, as well as did a 30km day a few days ago and am yet to experience pain on it. Is the bike to small for me? Or do you all think it's about right? I appreciate the help in advance!
by Positive-Cockroach86
16 Comments
Yes, it is too small for you.
I’m no expert but your reach seems a little scrunched up. I would think for your size a 60 cm or above might be more appropriate, but if you are riding it and it’s all good then I think you got your answer
Size is probably too small (no way it’s a 58 btw, probably 54 or close to that) but it’s too low quality to bother with. Look for something bigger and better.
You’d need a much longer and taller stem but that bike probably also has an unusually small steerer, so it is more difficult to source parts. In my opinion it would be more cost effective to start with a larger bike. I would suggest looking at bikes with a top tube 56 to 58cm long.
Yes, it is too small. I am about the same height and typically ride a 58 to 62 (requires a super short stem and swept back bars).
I have one bicycle that is a 56 that I have been able to make work for me due to the bikes geo, a tall seatpost and a stem from rovendell that has a 225mm quill. See below.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/LtndIHeu8b](https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/LtndIHeu8b)
In my opinion that looks to small but I’m no expert though I do love bikes and have a few I’m 6’2” with long torso and shorter legs I generally find bikes with top tubes between 59cm to 62cm comfortable I generally like a longer stem my 59cm bike has a 140mm stem to give it a comfortable more sporty position but every other frame I like a 120 mm. Generally for setting my saddle my saddle isn’t very high I set it so that when my foot is on the pedal and the crank is all the way down I like my leg fully extended without being locked.
Yes
I’m not familiar with its design, but have you tried removing the seat and spinning that clamp to the back side of the seat post? It might be mounted backwards, and that would get you moved back a couple inches
im very sure thats a 53cm frame and if you are 6’2″ i recommend 60cm. if you were in my area i would say lucky you. these days craigslist seems flooded with bikes that would fit you great!
I’m the same height and I can ride a 58 or 62, though the 62 is more comfortable for me. Given your seatpost extension, you may find the same is true for you
If it feels right ride it. Its not to small. You could adjust a bit to make it fit better if needed.
If the top tube is 53, then it’s a size 53. I’d wager you didn’t measure center to center, so it’s probably a 52 at most. You’re 6’1, so you likely want either a 56 or maybe, possibly 58.
I like to measure my bikes the old way. With shoes on, straddle the top bar flat footed, you want the bar nearly touching your crotch.
Much too small. That’s more like a 53 or 54cm frame with a 53.5 cm top tube.
Yes
If you won’t be racing it or riding for speed, the size let’s you sit up and put your hands in a comfortable space on the hoods at least. I see that the seat is angled back, putting weight there (and facilitating the upright posture). You could flip that seat post attachment around so the extension is in the back, making more room for the legs. Maybe that would let you flatten the nose of the seat.
I am 5’11” but I have a long inseam, so I find myself looking for bikes that are tall (58cm), but short front to back (53cm) (they’ll feature a sloping down tube, but usually I fit the leg length by using an extra long seat post ). Find out how stack to reach ratios work, so you can compare frame sizes if you are looking at newer bikes.
After the seat, there are various ways you could move the handlebars up, steerer tube extension or quill stem extender. These are likely short term fixes. As others have said, watch so the business end of the quill attachment doesn’t interfere with the other hardware in the steerer (headset, any taper in the tube itself).
[**https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.php**](https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.php)