Found this bike and fixed it up for my 18yo daughter – new handlebars (VO Milan), shifters, tires, saddle, and grips. It’s a pretty bike, but feels not so great to ride and I’m not sure why.
We are both 5’5” with ~30” inseam. I ride a small Tanglefoot Hardtack and previously a 51cm Jamis Renegade. The Crossroads has an 18” seat tube, and on this bike, I feel cramped, like I can’t get a good pedal rotation in to power the bike forward. I feel smushed, like I want to spread out more! I do have a late 80’s Peugeot step through that is comfortable, and that seat tube measures 20”, but the reach is similar. I’m new to step-through frames and I’m wondering if I miscalculated the size, or if there’s something I can change build-wise to make it feel better.
See photos for measurements of both step through frames.
by softerthings
2 Comments
Looks like you could raise the saddle a bit to match the Peugeot. Hard to tell in pics. Other than that, you could try a longer stem or bars that sweep forward or both.
Raising the saddle + shorter cranks and a bar with less back sweep might help open you up and make your knees feel les tucked when pedaling