Anyone here know about vintage steel bikes?

[Kitsune06]

OK someone near me has a Cierra 12-speed tourer for sale for $40 and a vintage Schwinn Super Sport for $60. I'm asking about the sizes, but ballpark (as I've never *been* on a road bike) if I'm 5'4" and have a 31" inseam, what bike size should I look for?

[Popoki_Nui]

OK someone near me has a Cierra 12-speed tourer for sale for $40 and a vintage Schwinn Super Sport for $60. I'm asking about the sizes, but ballpark (as I've never *been* on a road bike) if I'm 5'4" and have a 31" inseam, what bike size should I look for?

Hmmm...it isn't quite as easy as that. There is a lot that must be considered when choosing a bike size. Assuming the bikes you're considering have parallel top tubes (as opposed to the newer sloping top tubes), the general rule of thumb is that when you stand straddling the bike, feet flat on the ground, you should have about 1" or so clearance between the top tube and your crotch. Mixte, women's, MTB's, and road frames with sloping top tubes require different measuring procedures (usually involving what is called "virtual top tube measurements"). But....there is also the matter of frame geometry. Just because you may have the requisite ~1" clearance doesn't necessarily mean the frame will be a good fit.
Probably the best thing you can do -if the seller is willing- is to take the bike(s) to your trusted LBS and have them assess the bike with you on it. They'll be able to tell you if the bike can be adjusted to fit you properly, of if it will be an exercise in frustration. If the seller is not willing to help you, try the toptube/crotch fit, check to see if you can adjust the saddle and post, stem and bars to an approximate fit, and decide from there. I'm sure others can add more info here as well.
FWIW, I'm 5'11" with a 35" inseam. I ride anywhere from 21" old skool MTB frames to 23.5" old skool road frames. Good luck.

~Sherry.

[DebW]

OK someone near me has a Cierra 12-speed tourer for sale for $40 and a vintage Schwinn Super Sport for $60. I'm asking about the sizes, but ballpark (as I've never *been* on a road bike) if I'm 5'4" and have a 31" inseam, what bike size should I look for?

If you google "bicycle fit" you'll find lots of info, including a few sites where you can type in your body measurements and come out with frame dimensions. Not that any of those are your "be all and end all" of frame dimensions, but they are a very good place to start. I even found one that, when I entered my dimensions, gave me the exact frame I'm riding (except it told me to use 172.5 cranks and I have 170s), the dimensions of which I've found by trial and error. And for reference, I have a 32 inch inseam and ride a 54 cm C-T seat tube, 54 cm C-C top tube and I'm 5' 7".

[GLC1968]

Thanks, Deb!

I did a little more research and found out that it is built of isihiwata 022 tubing and I believe that it is lugged. The Limiteds were all built in Japan and in 1985 switched to the Shimano 600 components. I don't know enough to know if any of this is good or not. I did ask for more information from the seller, so we'll see. I've seen mention of 700cc wheels on Limiteds for smaller women...so hopefully this bike has them as well.

I do wish it was Celeste though!

[mimitabby]

OK someone near me has a Cierra 12-speed tourer for sale for $40 and a vintage Schwinn Super Sport for $60. I'm asking about the sizes, but ballpark (as I've never *been* on a road bike) if I'm 5'4" and have a 31" inseam, what bike size should I look for?

Kitsune
here's my humble advice. Try the bikes out. I got myself sized and came out 49cm on one of those websites(I'm a half inch shorter than you and 30 years older)

I've been riding a 49cm road bike since May.. Just for fun i tried a 44cm Sunday and it was QUITE a bit nicer. and it's a cheaper bike. We have nice long legs so (we women) so we tend to end up on bikes too big for us. Now that I know that there is something that fits me better out there, I am fantasizing about MARINONI bikes...

[veloputt]

Enjoyed reading the threads--I am a lover of steel frames, and this summer I was led to an old OLMO (I think late 70s)--the guys at the shop were jealous that it could fit me, as too small for them. Some triathlete's old rain/training bike (she moved or something). Bright yellow, with lots of age spots that I've touched up w/ model paint. Had fun stripping it completely down, and learning how to rebuild it, and moving some components from the Mercian to the OLMO, and putting new Campy gruppo onto the Mercian... anyway, they are both very sweet bikes, though very different feel--the OLMO is definitely and Italian racing machine, and someday I might get my legs moving well enough to do her justice!!

Also I'd recommend trying compact cranks!!

[kaian]

One week until I start to work on the Miyata! I got new tires, tubes and brake pads. I still need to pick up a chain and new cables. I think I may want to replace the brake hoods. I think they are aero hoods - Popoki Nui posted earlier that they were. I saw some on Ebay, but I was wondering if I have to go with the aero hoods again or could I get non-aero. Anyone know?

I'm starting off with some basics and then after I get to ride it for a while, and I still like it, I'll probably do more work on it. I'll make sure to post pics of the process.

[DebW]

One week until I start to work on the Miyata! I got new tires, tubes and brake pads. I still need to pick up a chain and new cables. I think I may want to replace the brake hoods. I think they are aero hoods - Popoki Nui posted earlier that they were. I saw some on Ebay, but I was wondering if I have to go with the aero hoods again or could I get non-aero. Anyone know?

You need aero hoods. Aeros route the cables under the bar tape. Non-aero hoods are made for cable routing straight out the top of the lever, so you get big cable loops above the handlebars. I assume you are replacing the bar tape too.

[kaian]

Yes, I'll be replacing the handlebar tape. I'm still deciding on what kind/color to get. I bought some Profile red/black marble, but it looked terrible next to the bike! I welcome suggestions.

Thanks for responding. I'll probably get those hoods off of ebay soon.

[kaian]

Well, the transformation has started! On Sunday, myself and two friends (one of whom has rebuilt bikes several times) started working on the Miyata. We got a lot done, but there's still more to do. We cleaned the hubs thoroughly and repacked the bearings, we pulled the crank and bottom bracket and cleaned, repacked bearings and lubed everything there, cleaned up the derailleurs, and got new tubes and tires on. The components are so shiney, they almost look new. The chain is soaking as we speak. My friend and a local bike shop owner both said that the chain looked good, so....I'm going to give it a shot.

Next time we're going to check out the fork/headset area and clean, lube and adjust the brakes and shifters. After that gets done, the only thing left will be to do the touch-up paint and try to do some adjustments for fit. I may have to get a stem with more of a rise, but we'll see! I'll post pics once she is all clean and ready to ride.

I already purchased some Deda handlebar tape on ebay. Carbon silver. I decided to accent the silver logo. Can't wait!

[kaian]

Hi again. So it seems I'm having a hard time finding a stem. I went to the LBS and they didn't really have anything that would work for me. I found the Nitto Techonomic online, but am not sure if it's the right stem. The current stem I have is 60mm, with a negative rise. The reach seems okay, but the stem is way too low. I found other stems by Nitto online, too - the Periscopa and the Dirtdrop and I can't figure out what to get. I need the handlebars up a couple of inches at least and can't figure out the whole angle thing. If I buy a stem with a positive angle of ___, how much closer will that bring the handlebars closer to me? From what I understand, if I have a stem with a big angle, I could get a stem that is longer than 60mm, right?

I also would like to spend $30 or less if possible.

Any input would be helpful.

[Triskeliongirl]

I am having trouble following what you want. Do you want a stem with a tall rise, and short reach? The nitto technomic is great for being tall in rise, and comes in a lot of reaches ranging from very short to quite long. It also looks really nice and is in your price range. I ordered one from these guys recently for a steel frame I am building up as a travel bike, and it came fast and in good shape for under $30 http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='1173-10'. On the nitto technomic, it is very tall, so you don't need it to be angled to get more height like you do on some, so just order the reach you need assuming it is going to project straight ahead. They come with reaches of 5cm-13cm. Just measure where you want the bars to be and order accordingly. Be sure to order for the correct size bars (the link I gave is for standard 26mm but they also make one for 25.4 you can get from places like Rivendell or Harris Cylery).