big frame short stem vs. small frame long stem

[snailracer]

A too large bike gave me chronic tennis elbow, a year of pain, physio, injections and treatment and 2 operations...on that basis, I'd always go smaller

Well one of my riding buddies fell when he attempted to steer around a gate post, but couldn't because his toe blocked his front wheel. He broke his shoulder and gouged a chunk out of his rib.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Toe overlap is generally considered unacceptable on pretty much every type of bike apart from road bikes and track bikes.

seriously wishing I still had my first road bike - that old BSA racer of mine did not have the same issue... perhaps I shall have to renovate a bike and not declare it to my OH... n+1 = 4 could be pushing my luck too far!

 

[vickster]

Well one of my riding buddies fell when he attempted to steer around a gate post, but couldn't because his toe blocked his front wheel. He broke his shoulder and gouged a chunk out of his rib.

Ouch

I have been known to catch my clompy shoes on the mudguard when positioning to turn at a junction, can be a pain! However, I still wouldn't want to be stretched out on a bigger bike

 

[snailracer]

Ouch

I have been known to catch my clompy shoes on the mudguard when positioning to turn at a junction, can be a pain! However, I still wouldn't want to be stretched out on a bigger bike

Of course, in the old days, the best reason for not choosing an oversized frame was to avoid crunching your groin on the top tube :O

 

[DooDah]

Personally, I am usually right between a small and medium frame (depending on the manufacturer). I prefer to go for the medium and reduce the stem length. Just feels more comfortable for me. I guess everyone is different.

 

[slowmotion]

Toe overlap may not be important on TdF, but it is if you commute in busy traffic. I don't want to be waiting at a set of red lights (oops, sorry) with the bars at a wonky angle, and then find I can't straighten them when they go green because I happen to have the cranks horizontal.
I'm a recent convert to "smaller is better". Ride a pony, not a horse.

BTW, what are these "mudguards" of which you speak?

 

[e-rider]

Thanks everyone for your advice. It sounds like it is easier to make a small bike "bigger" than a big bike "smaller".

So I think the more sensible option is to go with the smaller frame? Just one last question, what are the repercussions of riding a smaller frame, if any?

Thanks again!

get a bike that fits
don't buy the bike if it's too big or too small - simple
Note: a small change to stem length (1cm) can make a big difference to comfort. Changing the stem by 3cm will make it feel like a different bike completely.
I personally absolutely hate small bikes, with seatpost on limit line and 140mm stem fitted! .

 

[snailracer]

get a bike that fits
don't buy the bike if it's too big or too small - simple
Note: a small change to stem length (1cm) can make a big difference to comfort. Changing the stem by 3cm will make it feel like a different bike completely.
I personally absolutely hate small bikes, with seatpost on limit line and 140mm stem fitted! .

What excellent advice - no falling off or extra "awareness" required.

 

[snailracer]

That's fine if you are the standard size that bike manufacturers work to - an average-sized bloke in other words. If you are a small woman, and you also have various complicating factors such as a clavicle plate on one side, you have to get as close to a good fit as you can (and at a price you can manage), and work with that.

I know a rider who has an unusually big foot (on one side ) - she switched to riding a shopping bike, no toe overlap issues with a 20" wheels!

 

[slowmotion]

A bit more awareness needed (and fewer 'wonky angles')?
My road bike is a very compact frame because I am a short person, and it has a large degree of toe overlap. It only caught me out once, the first time I ever rode the bike, but now I know about it I make allowances for it. This seems rather like those people who are always forgetting they're clipped in and falling over - surely you only do that once, then you know to be mindful of it? Or do you always bang your head on the same low beam?

I have fallen over clipless about five times in the last three years. Although not particularly tall, I have bashed my head on strange beams that I really should have remembered, but didn't.

Why would I wish to add this toe overlap stuff? I don't need the extra excitement.

 

[snailracer]

OK Slowmo, sorry to hear you've been so accident prone, but that wasn't my point. Luckily for you, you are one of those average height blokes I mentioned earlier and you're also, how can I put this, not poor. So you have lots of choice and can find a bike with no toe overlap if it worries you so much. My post was aimed at those who might have less choice for one reason or another, to reassure them that if they find a bike that fits quite well, but has a bit of toe overlap, they shouldn't worry too much about it. And @snailracer, they don't need to resort to a shopping bike if that's not what they really want.

A combination of shorter/higher stem and different bars can make a large frame fit. A longer/lower stem and different bars can make a small frame fit. There is not much you can do to eliminate toe overlap, which is more likely to be present on a small frame. Which is why, if there is no right-size frame, I suggested the larger frame would be preferable. Sure, toe overlap is, for most riders, a minor issue and not a deal-breaker, but it would still be desirable to avoid it and the larger frame gives riders more scope to do so.

 

[slowmotion]

OK Slowmo, sorry to hear you've been so accident prone, but that wasn't my point. Luckily for you, you are one of those average height blokes I mentioned earlier and you're also, how can I put this, not poor.

I would be delighted to disabuse you of your massive misapprehension. I will bring my last five years' P60s to The Stage Door on the 20th. Bring yours, why not?