Bianchi Veloce?

[elk]

there is a great deal on an 2000 steel bianchi veloci on craigslist...
don't know the size yet...

what do you know/think about it?

[SandyLS]

Elk,
I ride a 2005 steel Bianchi Veloce. She is my first road bike. I bought her new for around $2,000. I've been real happy with her. We rode my first century together this Aug. and have done two 300+ mile tours. The bike hasn't given me any problems.

[KnottedYet]

elk - can you post a link?

[elk]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/465160156.html

too big...It's 30.5 inches stand over height with a 52 cm seat tube..

oh well...my bike will come along...no hurry.

[KnottedYet]

Nice bike, and it's my size!

[mimitabby]

ah, I'll never forget MY Veloce. dam good bike

[elk]

so...this may be a dumb question...but if my PBH (pubic bone height) is between 30-31" ( 3 readings all different..but closer to 30)
what's the max SO height I can safely consider? I keep wondering if I can make these bikes work...

I also get it that I should probably get a gen yoo ine fitting...

[mimitabby]

Elk, the standover is just no big deal. it's the REACH to the handlebars that will get you.
Lots of us can ride bikes too "tall" for us, it's a little delicate coming to stops...
but after an hour of riding a bike with a too long top tube, you'll be suffering.

[elk]

so....how d o you calculate your ballpark top tube length?

I was using the formula in Zinn's book...but the numbers came out so freakin wacky!!

look:
My arm is 22"
my torso minus "crotch" height is 30.2 + 22 = 52.2 multiply by 0.467 *(?) is 24.3"

24.3" = 61.7 cm ?????? for a top tube. Nonew of the geometrys I looked at had numbers anywhere near that.


*i'm at workand don't have the book

[mimitabby]

calculate? I didn't calculate. I just knew my bianchi was too long, even with all the little modifications we had done to it.
and I also knew I could have stood over a taller bike, gotten on it, and ridden it.
But for how long, and how comfortable?
When you go to a LBS, if they DON'T know what they're doing, they're going to have you stand over a bike and say "there, that fits you" it just isn't the case,
especially with a large majority of smaller women.

[elk]

I stopped at one of the LBSs on my way home to check out the Jamis Aurora and it was too big. Size 50 was good on reach but too high off the ground and the seat tube couldn't go low enough ....

I did ride a Coda (a 16"!!!!) which I felt was almost the right size...I could've gone a bit bigger.(17i/2) I loved the ride...but it's not the bike I want....

I think I have to just go try them...although now I have a sense of about what works...

I guess I have short legs and a longer torso...