Frame sizing question: Go a size up or a size down?

Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

Why are you married to this make of bike?

kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

The red one, duh.

kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

Regarding "what you have ridden in the past", have you arrived at an
"ideal" top tube length? Go with whichever of your two choices (60 v
62) comes closest to that dimension. If neither comes close, look
elsewhere.

kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Be aware that "frame size" a.k.a. seat tube length, is not that
critical, and that there are at least three ways of specifying seat
tube length.

Personally, I like a large frame, so I would round up as long as I
could straddle the bike (and as long as all the other parameters were
acceptable). I'd be more concerned with having adequate tire
clearance, generous wheelbase, and appropriate top tube length and
trail.

I own both 62 cm and 63 cm (center-to-center) frames and prefer the 63
cm only because it's easier to get the bars higher (still 2-3/4" below
the saddle) and because that bike has better tire clearance (not
related to frame size).

If you can't decide between the 60 cm and 62 cm frame, base your choice
on top tube length.

BTW, the current fad is to ride a smaller frame with a long seat post
and rising stem.

Art Harris

kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

Since no one else wants to give a constructive answer. I would pick
the larger of the two if it is truely the difference between a 60 and
62 cm frame. Assuming top tube is 58 cm on the 60 and 59 cm on the 62.
And you want a 58.5 cm top tube. I've had too small bikes in the past
and could not get them to fit right. I've had luck getting too large
bikes to fit well. If the difference is as small as described above,
then you may never even notice the difference in the frame once you are
riding it.

Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.

Are the frames measured center-to-center or center-to-top? And how tall are
you? If it's a center-to-top measurement, and you're 6'2, chances are likely
that you'll feel more comfortable on the taller bike. But this is a
difficult (OK, impossible) thing to figure out without having more
information (your dimensions & the bike's dimensions). All I can go by are
generalities based on overall height and frame size, based upon our
customers.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

"kwalters" wrote in message
...
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

For seatpost exposure 3/8" doesn't really matter that much--that's the
difference between 61 and 62.

Pick the frame that fits best out of the two. Maybe you need the 62
because oyu have a long torso. Maybe you'd rather have the 60 becasue
you have a short torso. (Bigger frames tend to have longer top tubes).

So look at the fit aspects other than seatpost.

wrote:
kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

Since no one else wants to give a constructive answer.

There's nothing quite like the stench of arrogance in the afternoon!

kwalters wrote:
Theoretical question: A frame builder makes frames
in even sizes; you are interested in a 60cm or a 62cm.
After studying the respective geometries and comparing
them with what you have ridden in the past, you decide
a 61cm would be best. However, builder doesn't offer a
61 and you can't afford a custom build (don't even want
to discuss it). Would you go a size up or a size down?

(And, to the pundits who would say: "Ride them both" you
have to say" "Impossible to do in this town".)

So, who would go with 62cm & who with 60? & why?

Thanks. Ken

SAME seat tube angle or different?? Differences in top tube length??

Sizing that measures ONLY seat tube length is only about 10%(or less)
of the equation.