Stand-over clearance issues aside, the problem I've seen with sticking too closely with some of Riv's sizing recommendations is that it can put me on a bike with a longer top tube than I'd like. Sure, the bike "fits" by using a shorter stem, but weight distribution then becomes an issue.
All FWIW, ATMO, etc, etc. > From: Doug Peterson <dougpn...@cox.net> > Reply-To: <rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> > Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:39:20 -0800 (PST) > To: RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> > Subject: [RBW] Re: Correct Bombadil size... > > Rene: > > After all the data points regarding the bigger size, here's one vote > for going smaller. I understand Riv's sizing system and philosophy, > but chose to go a size down from their recommendation on my Atlantis > (58 cm vs 61 cm). Coming up on 7 happy years of riding, I've never > given it a second thought. There's actually some overlap on PBHs and > frame sizes. If possible, see if they have a 56 cm you can try on for > size before going to the effort of completely changing. Bikes can > always be made a bit larger (within reason!) but they are tough to > shrink. > > dougP > > On Dec 17, 9:08 pm, Rene Sterental <orthie...@gmail.com> wrote: >> My 60cm Bombadil is finally finished (had too much work and family related >> stuff these last two weeks). I will post pictures tomorrow. However, as soon >> as I straddled it while building it, I realized I had significantly less >> standover clearance than I do on my 61cm Homer. I can still lift both wheels >> what appears to be around 1 inch, haven't really measured, but when I stand >> over the bike with both feet on the ground, I can feel the top tube way up >> "there". The bike is currently built with Specialized El Capitan Control 2.2 >> front/2.0 rear tires for a full MTB experience. >> >> Since it was raining during the weekend and I was swamped with work and >> family, I was only able to take it out for a ride on Tuesday's commute to >> work via bike and Caltrain. I rode it for a total of around 8 miles split up >> in four legs. I'll post more details when I have more time, but my concerns >> with the standover clearance persisted, so I e-mailed Mark @ Rivendell and >> spoke with Keven today. They both feel that based on my measured PBH, the >> 60cm Bombadil frame is the right size, but if I feel it's too big, they will >> set me up with a new 56cm frame. It's great to know that they will stand by >> me and take care of my in this situation. >> >> Today I commuted with the Homer, and even though barely a month and a half >> ago it seemed like a huge frame (my conversion to the Rivendell fit >> philosophy), compared to the Bombadil I felt I had lots of clearance and of >> course, they both handle different. >> >> I'm taking the Bombadil to Rivendell tomorrow so Mark and Keven can check my >> fit and together, we can decide if it is indeed the right size for me, or if >> I'll fit best on the 56cm. Standover height on the Bombadil 60 is about 2 cm >> higher than on the Homer 61. Everyone agrees that you probably need a little >> more clearance on a mountain bike than on a road bike, but what is really >> the minimum clearance? >> >> Anyway, I'll update the group on the decision we take tomorrow and will >> submit photos of the complete bike. Going to a 56 frame will mean another >> wait for it to be painted (minor annoyance), but also a new wheelset from >> Rich, new tires, and no exchanging wheels between the Homer and the >> Bombadil. >> >> What is the feeling regarding standover clearance and minimum clearance? >> >> René >> >> PS.- The fender question is now on hold until the frame size issue is >> cleared... > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW > Owners Bunch" group. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
