how small is ”to small” for a frame?

[MiniNinjaRob]

The problem with the older bikes is that the front ends are much lower. I have fitted a 16" modern bike fine, as 5-6" forks and the modern risers bring the front end up a fair bit. The small frame can then be an advantage as it's a bit more chuckable, just as I like it. I don't think the seatpost is much of a problem in that case.

So when I bought my GT Tequesta to replicate my 92 bike I got a 16" frame as I always thought the 18" I had BITD was a bit big.

How wrong I was!!

The 16" loked ace, but it was a bit short and I got a crippling back/shoulder/neck pain. I was nearly in tears on the Peaks national ride. :-(

So unfortunately the Tequesta is now just a frameset I'm going to keep, but I'm going to one day find a 18" version I'll be able to ride in comfort.

I'm 5'7" with a 29" inside leg if that helps.

My 16" Tequesta:

Doesn't look tooe extreme in that pic - shame really!

 

[poweredbypies]

Im only a tad shorter than you and I get away with a 14" frame all be it with a long seatpost but I like a small nimble frame.

 

[maverick]

I'm only 5'9" with a short inside leg.
My Al-Mega Dx is a 15.5 frame, i was convinced this would be too small but it rides just perfect for me. I have now just built a 16 inch Tomac with 120mm travel forks and that is about right too.

Its all a matter of opinion, i have tried an 18 inch frame and found it a bit to big, my maximum size is about 17 inch.

Hope that has helped a little.

:xmas-cool:

 

[Anthony]

Hello!
My heigt is 181cm (5`9``) and I find online a 16 size Diamondback Axis (top-tube is 21.7 inch).
I know is small, but it wil be ridicoulous small? It will be impossible to ride?
Thanks!

I assume that 1.81 = 5-11.25 is your correct height, and not 5-9. If so, 18 is your size and the 16 will suit you only if you like small frames and an upright riding posture.

If the top tube is 21.7 = 55cm measured c-c along the tube, that is about 1cm shorter, maybe 1.5, than a size 18 top tube would be. There is no problem in fitting a long seat post, it's just a question of whether you could find one long enough that's all.

Since you know that the Trek is too big, it would be interesting to know how much longer the Trek's top tube is than 55cm.

 

[cce]

those DBs come up pretty long for their size.

 

[Soren]

Since you know that the Trek is too big, it would be interesting to know how much longer the Trek's top tube is than 55cm.

The Trek TopTube is 57,5cm.

 

[Anthony]

Since you know that the Trek is too big, it would be interesting to know how much longer the Trek's top tube is than 55cm.

The Trek TopTube is 57,5cm.

It's interesting that the differences are so small - 2.5cm difference between a frame that is too big and one that you fear may be far too small. And yet people swop stems around, and the difference between a 100mm stem and a 125mm stem is also 2.5cm.

I think the conclusion must be that the size 16 Axis is slightly too small, but not far too small. A size 16 Axis with a 120mm stem will be almost exactly the same size as a size 18 Axis with a 110mm stem. As cce says, a size 16 Diamondback is a bigger bike than a size 16 of many other makes. My size 17.5 Rocky Mountain is 1cm shorter than the size 16 Axis.

The other thing to bear in mind is that the Axis is a good, light frame, presumably made from Ritchey Logic tubing. I would expect it to be a lot more enjoyable to ride than the Trek.

 

[Soren]

Thank you all for the inputs!

Theoreticly, size 18 is right for me. But, I have a size 20 bike which is a little too big, so, a size 16 will be a little too small!

Practically, I will go to a Decathlon store and find a bike in size 16 or 17. If it will not be "too" small i will consider the Axis. Which, by the way, the seller ask for 130E.

Yes, the Trek is a little on the "massive side".

 

[Anthony]

Practically, I will go to a Decathlon store and find a bike in size 16 or 17.

Size means nothing - I suggest you find a size that fits, then measure the top tube, centre to centre, along the tube, then add the length of the stem, centre to centre. Then with the total of those two measurements, you will have something to compare to the 55cm Axis plus your choice of stem.

[Note though that modern bikes tend to have longer top tubes than retro bikes, but compensated with much shorter stems.]

If it will not be "too" small i will consider the Axis. Which, by the way, the seller ask for 130E.

That is a gift for such a nice frame.

 

[Neil]

The other thing to bear in mind is that the Axis is a good, light frame, presumably made from Ritchey Logic tubing. I would expect it to be a lot more enjoyable to ride than the Trek.

I think you'll find it's True Temper TT-Lite, looking at the decals and the apparent date of that frame.