Help me Evaluate Whether Or Not To Buy This Bike

[GuitarChick]

Hey all,

I live in a pothole-ridden city (we have really cold and snowy winters here in this area of Canada) and although the city does it best to repair them, the route I'm going to have to commute this summer to my new job is pretty sketchy with potholes because it hasn't been redone in a while (and is very busy traffic-wise).

I am too nervous to ride my road bike in those conditions; I'm looking for a more upright commuter with more tire to stick to the road.

Also, I ride a 54 cm road bike; I'm 5'7". Is a 20" bike a decent fit? I don't need anything special, just A to B reliably.

Thoughts on this bike (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250235267289)? And by buy, I suppose I mean bid.

Thanks for any help!

[madisongrrl]

20 inches.....that frame may very well be too large for you. Do you know the geometry specs for that bike?

[Beane]

my two cents:

I am also 5'7" and ride a 54cm road bike. My commuter is a 19" and I did at one point have a 19" mtn bike. However, my DH thought it was big on me and I did hate that bike (which may or may not have been related to its size).

Have you test ridden any bikes with similar geometry? Why this bike and not any of the other thousands on ebay? My recommendation would be to look around locally for second hand bikes or maybe even new ones on clearance and get a good idea of what you want. If you can't find it near you, then check ebay. There doesn't seem to be anything special about this bike and there are lots of upright commuter options. I would wait until you have a better sense of what you want before making a purchase, but that's just me.

[Running Mommy]

At that height and size in road bike I would think your no more than a 17.
Go on www.wrenchscience.com and create an account. Then go into the mtn bike section and there is a "fit system" tab. plug in your measurements and you'll have your answer.

[GuitarChick]

Thanks. Canyah tell my only real bike I've ever owned is a road bike? :D

Good to know stuff like this. Like, you can't just convert cm to inches and it's the same. :D

[crazycanuck]

Ahh yes..Potholes.. :o

Brings back memories of the end of winter in Edmonton..:eek:

I think we had a few that could swallow us back home..

[mupedalpusher]

That bike is probably a little big for you. Check out this bike sizing page.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/bike-fit-guide.html