what to go for, touring or hybrid

I'm 6'2" and ride a 62cm CTC tourer with a 58cm top tube. I would have thought at 6 foot you had a choice of 56/58/60 cm frames. A 56 or 58 with a raised stem and seatpost isn't going to look freaky and the longer seat post will give more space for a big saddle bag or tall items like sleeping bags on the rear rack. Toe overlap on a 56 might be an issue if you're using mudguards.

So I reckon a 58 CTC seat tube and 565-580mm top tube might be the best of all worlds.
 
At 6ft, for me a 58 c-t with horizontal top tube feels a bit small, a 59 is perfect and a 60 is better than a 58. Only 1cm increments but it’s noticeable
 
Top tube length is the critical measurement. This affects how the bike will handle on corners and descents. Seat tube is the oft quoted measurement and seems important especially for aesthetics regarding how much seat pillar is showing. And some folk (gawd only knows why) want to know standover height. But the pros start with top tube length and work from there
 
Some classic tiuring steel is a great choice BUT there are lots of very good aluminium hybrid frames , built by makers like Kinesis for example, that are hiding in bike shaped objects, around the country. Sitting in garages after about 50miles useage, and dead cheap ,because cycling takes effort and they are not fashionable. Get the right one and it is a good base to start with if your idea of fun is doing upgrades.
 
Frankenorange said:
Some classic tiuring steel is a great choice BUT there are lots of very good aluminium hybrid frames , built by makers like Kinesis for example, that are hiding in bike shaped objects, around the country. Sitting in garages after about 50miles useage, and dead cheap ,because cycling takes effort and they are not fashionable. Get the right one and it is a good base to start with if your idea of fun is doing upgrades.
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🐈...🕊🕊🕊...😉
 
pigman said:
Top tube length is the critical measurement. This affects how the bike will handle on corners and descents. Seat tube is the oft quoted measurement and seems important especially for aesthetics regarding how much seat pillar is showing. And some folk (gawd only knows why) want to know standover height. But the pros start with top tube length and work from there
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The pros? Professional tourers? I find it nice to have a generous allowance under the kilt.
 
Have a look at Spa cycles. They offer a superb range of touring bikes . I have 3 Unless you want to stick to retro of course.
I love the range of low gears they offer.
I have square taper and external bearing type . I have dual pivot on one the v brakes on another. Finally disc on my Spa titanium .
Endless options available.
All depends on what your budget is .
 
Tootyred said:
Well you only need to bail out once to find out! 🤣.

But if your purely on tarmac, i suppose its not so likely.
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I balled out several times in the 70s as a teenager when my sturmey archer found that sweet neutral spot between 2nd and 3rd. I'm surprised I went on to have kids. 😀

But if ballouts are a consideration, the answer is a mixte. A One size smaller frame isn't going to save the day
 
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