old style road bike frame size

[ewan221]

Trying to figure out if a old style road bike would be right size for me. Its a 21 inch I am a short arse at just over 5 foot 7 inches. This is exact same bike I used to ride everywhere 30 years ago and plan is to refurb it and use ocassionally :-)

Looked up a few guides on line and the advice varies from site to site, on a modern road bike im frame size 52cm according to guy at local shop

[thiscocks]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=21inches+to+cm

Should be about right id imagine, although not sure what you mean by old style.

[TwistingMyMelon]

They don't always match up as geo/fashion/methods have moved on, best to get the current owner to measure up the basics and compare to one of your existing bikes

If its ebay/small ads etc.. owners often get sizes wrong, so actual measurements confirm the basics

If you don't have a bike take a guess

Im same height and ride 52-55cm bikes in modern sizes, bikes vary a lot though

[Mr Ted]

If you are looking at the something that we used to ride in the 70's then check out the size guide on the Pashley website as their bikes are that era of geometry (Clubman or Countryman) rather than the 'compact' geometry of current bikes.

Here is the data from their sizing guide, frame size for different inside leg measurements.

I am 5ft 7ins with a 32ins 'cycling' inside leg so a 21inch frame would suit me!


Clubman / Countryman 20" = 27 - 32" 21.5" = 28.5 - 33.5" 23" = 30 - 35" 24.5" = 31.5 - 36.5"

[2volvos]

My 70s Peugeot is a 57cm frame, which is about 22 inches. I'm around your height as well and find it very comfortable. There's not a lot of seat stem showing though...

[Mr Ted]

2volvos said:

My 70s Peugeot is a 57cm frame, which is about 22 inches. I'm around your height as well and find it very comfortable. There's not a lot of seat stem showing though...

I bet it is a comfortable ride! They were like that with not much stem showing, the larger frames often had twin top tubes as well and I remember that it was usually the case that when you had the correct size frame it was only just possible to stand over it often we had to lean slightly to one side!!! The good thing was that if say a 21inch frame was correct for you it really didn't matter what brand it was, they all fitted! Now there are so many variations of design that you need a size guide for every cycle!

[Barchettaman]

OP, why not just ride it around as it is for a bit and see if you (still) get on with the frame size and geometry.
If you like it then restore and update it.
If you decide it isn't for you, sell it on.

[ewan221]

Just to close thread. Got the bike and it's prob just too big , can just touch ground from saddle at a stretch but very comfortable to ride.
Its fantastic condition and really only needs some cosmetic bits done.
Happy so far