Discussion
Loading...

Post

Log in
  • About
  • Code of conduct
  • Privacy
  • Users
  • Instances
  • About Bonfire
Kirk Smith, PhD
Kirk Smith, PhD
@kirk@social.coop  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

Bike fit / used bike questions - looking for a used bike for my partner (162 cm). Found this used Gitane aluminum xc bike, size M, rockshox Judy 26", hydraulic brakes, 2x9, SRAM or Shimano (I forget). We tested it - rides smooth, shifts and brakes well. Owner claims it was ridden on greenways, asking 200 EUR.

Does this size/price look right? I know the seat needs raising from the photos with her on it. The seat is in a higher position in the workshop photo.

She said she felt pretty far forward/in an aggressive position. Would a riser stem help? I have a spare Jones Loop H-Bar I could throw on. Not messed around much with bike geometry so I'd appreciate crowd input to see if we could make some cheap mods to make it more comfy! Or to pass and keep looking. FWIW it would be used for commuting/greenways/some xc mtb. We live in a hilly area with a lot of double and singletrack trails.

Thanks in advance #BikeTooter #BikeFit

4 media
Golden xc MTB hardtail in a workshop
Golden xc MTB hardtail in a workshop
Golden xc MTB hardtail in a workshop
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Side view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Side view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Side view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Front view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Front view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Front view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Angle view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Angle view
Person in colorful sweater on a golden hardtail mountain bike leaning against a wall. Angle view
  • Copy link
  • Flag this post
  • Block
smellsofbikes
smellsofbikes
@smellsofbikes@mastodon.social replied  ·  activity timestamp yesterday

@kirk you can get a shorter reach, riser stem, and riser bars. For good or bad, both stems and bars are available in a bewildering variety. A shorter stem that's flat will even help. Bars can have various rises (how much higher the part you hold is than the center) and sweep (how much they diverge from straight.)
Don't worry a lot about crank length right now. Adjust the seat height so the rider's leg, with the foot in a comfy position on the pedal, has the leg straight at bottom center.

  • Copy link
  • Flag this comment
  • Block
NNN
NNN
@NNN@bettercities.top replied  ·  activity timestamp yesterday

@kirk
I have a similar bike, and have the bars level with the seat. But that is unusually low for a workday commuter. It wouldn't be unusual to prefer bars to be 5cm higher than the seat at first.

They could start with an adjustable stem, to play around with location. If there is a bike club, or university bike repair workshop, someone may have a box of stems to test with.

Be sure the seatpost isn't frozen and no rust on the fork stanchions.

  • Copy link
  • Flag this comment
  • Block
João Tiago Rebelo (NAFO J-121)
João Tiago Rebelo (NAFO J-121)
@jt_rebelo@ciberlandia.pt replied  ·  activity timestamp yesterday

@kirk maybe @ai6yr can help.

  • Copy link
  • Flag this comment
  • Block
Jack
Jack
@knapjack@gruntle.cc replied  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

I think so. I would buy it in a heartbeat.

  • Copy link
  • Flag this comment
  • Block
plookington
plookington
@plookington@mastodon.sdf.org replied  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

@kirk try the manufacturer's website. Some will offer a sizing chart for body size to suggested frame size. Some even archive these charts for earlier year models.

  • Copy link
  • Flag this comment
  • Block
Eorlingur Rex
Eorlingur Rex
@Eorlingur@mastodon.social replied  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

@kirk It looks like the person has their knee up very high on picture 2. That would indicate relatively short legs and a need for shorter cranks. That is not common on any old bike so that is an expense that you should budget for with every used bike.

Good luck bikehunting!

  • Copy link
  • Flag this comment
  • Block

bonfire.cafe

A space for Bonfire maintainers and contributors to communicate

bonfire.cafe: About · Code of conduct · Privacy · Users · Instances
Bonfire social · 1.0.2-alpha.7 no JS en
Automatic federation enabled
Log in
  • Explore
  • About
  • Members
  • Code of Conduct