I know, I know, buy the bike that fits and get it fit by a pro - I am a believer. But... this situation requires a low dough solution.
I am trying to put a buddy (total tri newbie) on a tri bike for the least amount of cash. I have almost enough spare parts to build up a frame with a Shimano 600 grouppo - will need to get seatpost, pedals, aero bars & wheels (so if you have any of these you are looking to unoad cheap give a holler. The frame we are looking at is 650c).
Here's the issue - the best deal on a steep frame/fork (understanding the pros and cons, he wants to ride steep) is a compact Tsunami frame from Chucksbikes.com at $160. It has received positive remarks on this forum. The L has a 56cm Top tube and the M has a 53cm top tube and between three of us novice monday morning fitters, we are unsure which frame will work better. I figured with the collective knowledge on this forum would exponentially increase the accuracy of our decision.
My buddy is 6' 2" so i initially think the L should be closer to a reasonable fit, so..... I put him on my 53 Tequilo (I am 5' 10") and a Medium Giant OCR from accross the street to see how things looked. The OCR measures 55.5cm on top and has clip ons with the arm rest alllll the way back and the seat allll the way forward to shorten the cockpit. I understand that the OCR seat tube angle is slacker but if i am looking for fit on the reach, i don't think it matters for this purpose (please correct me if i am wrong on this. the head tube angles are apart by .5 degrees). The result is that The OCR still looked too long - especially if the arm rests were where they were supposd to be and the seat was not slammed all the way forward on the rails. The position on my QR looked about right.
A bit befuddled, we pulled out the trusty tape measure to measure proportions: 24.5 torso (same as mine at 5' 10" which is why my 53 QR looked better on him) 34.5 inseam. SO it seems that his lower body fits the L better but the upper body wants to M. The Tsunami frame is, however, a compact geometry so should we be concerned that the M would show too much seat post?
Any comments, guidance, suggestions, ideas etc. out there to help with the decision between M & L? Thanks!!
Disclaimer: neither me, my two tri neighbors, nor our 6' 2" buddy are FIST certified, nor are we a member of the vast left wing conspiracy known as the Tom Demerely Internet Stalking Club.
jg
I am trying to put a buddy (total tri newbie) on a tri bike for the least amount of cash. I have almost enough spare parts to build up a frame with a Shimano 600 grouppo - will need to get seatpost, pedals, aero bars & wheels (so if you have any of these you are looking to unoad cheap give a holler. The frame we are looking at is 650c).
Here's the issue - the best deal on a steep frame/fork (understanding the pros and cons, he wants to ride steep) is a compact Tsunami frame from Chucksbikes.com at $160. It has received positive remarks on this forum. The L has a 56cm Top tube and the M has a 53cm top tube and between three of us novice monday morning fitters, we are unsure which frame will work better. I figured with the collective knowledge on this forum would exponentially increase the accuracy of our decision.
My buddy is 6' 2" so i initially think the L should be closer to a reasonable fit, so..... I put him on my 53 Tequilo (I am 5' 10") and a Medium Giant OCR from accross the street to see how things looked. The OCR measures 55.5cm on top and has clip ons with the arm rest alllll the way back and the seat allll the way forward to shorten the cockpit. I understand that the OCR seat tube angle is slacker but if i am looking for fit on the reach, i don't think it matters for this purpose (please correct me if i am wrong on this. the head tube angles are apart by .5 degrees). The result is that The OCR still looked too long - especially if the arm rests were where they were supposd to be and the seat was not slammed all the way forward on the rails. The position on my QR looked about right.
A bit befuddled, we pulled out the trusty tape measure to measure proportions: 24.5 torso (same as mine at 5' 10" which is why my 53 QR looked better on him) 34.5 inseam. SO it seems that his lower body fits the L better but the upper body wants to M. The Tsunami frame is, however, a compact geometry so should we be concerned that the M would show too much seat post?
Any comments, guidance, suggestions, ideas etc. out there to help with the decision between M & L? Thanks!!
Disclaimer: neither me, my two tri neighbors, nor our 6' 2" buddy are FIST certified, nor are we a member of the vast left wing conspiracy known as the Tom Demerely Internet Stalking Club.
jg