question to those in the know. 22'' will it fit me?

[tommyw]

ive an opportunity to get a very nice sentimental retro 1970's road bike steel frame...but am a mountain biker and have not clue on road bike sizing. Can anyone help me. Its really very special but 22'' ST c-t and 22'' TT c-c with 73deg seat and head angles...with an 80mm stem...will I get away with it. I'm 172cm (5'7-8'') and quite leggy, inside leg just under 32''. thanks all. t

 

[nammonk]

It doesn't sound out of the question, but is hard to tell without trying it. If you are planning on shelling out a fair amount on it (and/or you are planning on spending a significant time in the saddle), it is worth getting the fit right... Aim to at least have a go on it first if you can (or if not, then a similar sized frame).
Nick

 

[Midlife]

Should do just about with quite a bit of seat post showing and 120-130cm stem depending on your arms, especially with 73 parallel frame..

I'm just about 6 foot and used a 23.5 inch frame for time trialling and a 24.5 inch frame for more relaxed road use.... back in the 70's LOL

My Avatar is the larger road frame

Shaun

edited to add seat post instead of seat tube

 

[tommyw]

thanks guys, i was worried it was going to be too big, coming from a 16'' mountain bike...

 

[Midlife]

errrrr I was worried it was going to be a bit small LOL

Shaun

What are you thinking of getting ?

 

[nammonk]

Definitely not too big. You might need a fair amount of seatpost showing, and most 70s seatposts were pretty short. Not a problem if you don't mind going a bit period-incorrect...
Nick

 

[tommyw]

legend...am a happy man. old custom hand built from 531sl 1970s. really grateful for getting back to me.

 

[Midlife]

Just curious........which frame builder (I'm a 70's cyclist LOL)

Shaun

 

[nammonk]

I'm curious too, now. I have a 70s 531sl too (Pat Rohan).

 

[Kerplunk]

I'm 5'8" with a about a 31" inside leg. I'm comfortable on a 21" frame and don't have a massive amount of seatpost showing, prob about 6". So you'd have about the same showing on a 22" frame. Its the toptube you need to consider more I think. Mine has a 21" toptube and a 9cm stem, anything more than that and I'd feel too stretched out. Although it has to be said my back isn't the most flexible. Only way to know for sure is sitting on it.