My frame is too small, what are the repercussions?

[Polkamon]

Hello there,

a few years ago I bought a cheap second-hand road bike off eBay back when I knew very little about bikes. After much riding, it naturally became very dirty and I neglected to clean it until recently. Now that the dirt is gone, I noticed it says it's a 50cm frame and I am 6'1". When purchased it was just a tad small but since I have grown in height quite considerably.

If it is ill advised to continue riding on this frame size should I be looking to sell it or is it something I can put up with?

I have never noticed any discomfort in riding but then again I have never experienced the recommended frame size for my height.

Pic related:

 

[biggs682]

do you feel cramped when riding ?
when stationary and sitting on saddle is the sole of your foot or the tip of your toes the contact point with the floor ?

i am 5ft 10 and normally base set my saddle at 38 -39" from floor and bars at 36" as a starting point then adjust to suit .

dont fix what aint broke

 

[the_mikey]

It depends on your riding style, I'm 5ft5 and I ride a 50cm (medium) giant frame, but I also ride a small (46cm) Giant frame, and they feel different but not uncomfortably so, I seem to ride faster on the small frame.

At your 6ft1 I would be inclined to suggest you would be better off on a larger frame, but if you've not had problems, your comfortable on the pedals, your knees aren't brushing against the handlebars when you're out of the saddle, then maybe you're ok on the frame you have.

 

[Polkamon]

do you feel cramped when riding ?
when stationary and sitting on saddle is the sole of your foot or the tip of your toes the contact point with the floor ?

i am 5ft 10 and normally base set my saddle at 38 -39" from floor and bars at 36" as a starting point then adjust to suit .

dont fix what aint broke

Not particularly but then again I haven't thought about it til now. My toes and part of my sole make contact with the floor but my feet aren't fully flat with the heel down, which is something. Right, I'll see how the measurements of my saddle and bars compare with your setup. Looking at the photo I posted, my seat post does seem fairly high, maybe this is a way I can compensate the small frame, along with the fact I have a long handlebar stem. I do agree with that philosophy, at least I want to, so I can refrain from splashing out on a new frame/bike!

It depends on your riding style, I'm 5ft5 and I ride a 50cm (medium) giant frame, but I also ride a small (46cm) Giant frame, and they feel different but not uncomfortably so, I seem to ride faster on the small frame.

At your 6ft1 I would be inclined to suggest you would be better off on a larger frame, but if you've not had problems, your comfortable on the pedals, your knees aren't brushing against the handlebars when you're out of the saddle, then maybe you're ok on the frame you have.

It's not good news to me that you're 6in shorter and riding the same frame! As you say, I haven't had problems and I guess I am reasonably comfortable so fingers crossed I can stick. I don't know what my riding style is but is there an optimal one given my predicament? Perhaps I would benefit from predominantly riding off the saddle? I don't know.


Anyone else have any advice?

 

[fossyant]

Given its a Giant, they do go for extra compact frames. Your saddle height looks right for a Giant, but your bars are pretty high in my opinion.
You may like the bars higher, hence the look of the elongated steerer.

It doesnt look much out. Sort the saddle out, should be level.

 

[lulubel]

If you're comfortable riding it, I don't see any reason to change it.

If you're thinking you might like a new bike, however, go and get a couple of test rides on larger bikes and see if you prefer the feel of a larger frame.

 

[wakou]

Repercussions? Could be that you sell that lovely bike to me for £50.00 and buy yourself one that fits. (I can hope, can't I?)

 

[Polkamon]

Given its a Giant, they do go for extra compact frames. Your saddle height looks right for a Giant, but your bars are pretty high in my opinion.
You may like the bars higher, hence the look of the elongated steerer.

It doesnt look much out. Sort the saddle out, should be level.

It might look right for a Giant but I want to know if it looks right for me...wait-a-minute, I know I'm tall bu- (cheap pun, I know but I couldn't help myself). On a serious note, I will lower my bars and level out my saddle as you suggested. Also, is there a reason Giant generally make smaller frames?

If you're comfortable riding it, I don't see any reason to change it.

If you're thinking you might like a new bike, however, go and get a couple of test rides on larger bikes and see if you prefer the feel of a larger frame.

I agree - good idea.

 

[Polkamon]

Repercussions? Could be that you sell that lovely bike to me for £50.00 and buy yourself one that fits. (I can hope, can't I?)

Haha. I'm not sure how to take this, first off you compliment it, then offend me with an offer like that! It is worth more £50, surely, right? Right guys? Guys?

 

[Gravity Aided]

Frame looks a bit small, but often frames are preferred a little small, because large frames get flexier as they grow in size. The smaller frame allows you to get your arms lower, if your stance on the bicycle favors this. Don't see too much wrong with the bicycle you have now. Try a bigger frame first and see if the improvements justify the expense.

 

[raindog]

6'1" on a 50cm frame must be like riding a circus bike. Try sitting on the bike whilst leaning against a wall and put the heal of your foot on the pedal with the pedal at the bottom of it's stroke - your leg should have no bend in it, but I'll bet it has, even with all that seat post out.
You can see it's too small for you by the way you've got the stem set right at the top of that long steerer.
I'm 6' and my bike size is 56/58cms.
By the way - I can't see any spacers under that stem. Is it some sort of special system?
Anyway, that's a gorgeous looking little frame, but imo you really need something bigger.

 

[wakou]

Haha. I'm not sure how to take this, first off you compliment it, then offend me with an offer like that! It is worth more £50, surely, right? Right guys? Guys?

Yes. I was joking. It is a lovely bike, (for a short-arse like me. Not really for 6' 1" beanpole like yourself). Could you borrow a bike in your size (56cm - 58cm) and see what you think. Also, I think you should have spacers in your steerer, as Raindog above said. Although I can't work out how your fork has not fallen out without them.

 

[compo]

Yes. I was joking. It is a lovely bike, (for a short-arse like me. Not really for 6' 1" beanpole like yourself). Could you borrow a bike in your size (56cm - 58cm) and see what you think. Also, I think you should have spacers in your steerer, as Raindog above said. Although I can't work out how your fork has not fallen out without them.

It is a quill stem threadless adaptor so spacers not needed.

 

[berty bassett]

when you go on the drops ,is it slightly ofputting to feel your knees rubbing your ears ?

 

[biggs682]

It is a quill stem threadless adaptor so spacers not needed.

well spotted compo .

Haha. I'm not sure how to take this, first off you compliment it, then offend me with an offer like that! It is worth more £50, surely, right? Right guys? Guys?

@Polkamon value is a tough one but i wouldnt let it go for under £200 it looks good and clean