is frame size that important?

[chesterpete]

My other half recently bought a rather nice Dawes Nomad and shes not getting on with it. I quite like it so am thinking of taking it on. The thing is the frame is 18 inch (46cm) and my other bikes have 54cm frames. I can set the Dawes up so that seat height, reach etc match my current bikes and the crank arms are the same length - so are there likely to be any issues I should be aware of?

Apologies if this is a daft question

[Brucey]

if all the contact points are in the right places, it doesn't really matter all that much what is inbetween, 'specially with aluminium frames sloping top tubes etc. Lightweight steel ones feel different in different sizes (bit smaller = bit stiffer usually), but aluminium ones tend not to flex much at all, so there is less difference in feel between sizes. There are various other small differences like wheelbase, but they are just that; small, between sizes.

cheers

[mig]

is the handlebar stem on the smaller frame now very long though? that can alter the steering feel.

[chesterpete]

is the handlebar stem on the smaller frame now very long though? that can alter the steering feel.

Thanks chaps. In answer to the question - it has an adjustable stem (although i'm not a great fan tbh) - and the std stem will raise the bars sufficiently.

[531colin]

Well, that makes a change!



Seat angle is steeper on the bigger sizes, head angle slacker (if the table is right!)

Top tube is the same length on 18" as 20", and only half an inch longer on the 22"

If its comfortable, who cares?

[reohn2]

Colin
Wierdest set of angles

[531colin]

I thought you'd like the 75deg seat tube.....

[breakwellmz]

Look at the shallow seat tube angle on the blue one compared to the other two-Why?

http://three60sports.co.uk/2012/02/07/p ... s-are-you/

[Brucey]

'cause the handlebars are meant to be higher?

cheers

[Mick F]

Nice picture Colin, but where's G?

[breakwellmz]

'cause the handlebars are meant to be higher?

cheers

It`s not just my eyes is it?
There looks to about a 5 degree difference between them?
69(Degrees!) on the blue one?

[Brucey]

no, I agree the angles are different, slacker, but a lot of old-style roadsters have slack angles like that....

cheers

[531colin]

Nice picture Colin, but where's G?

G is standover height.....
Its under your.......you know where its under, Mick!

I particularly liked "fork offset" (F) being the wrong side of the fork..........

[Mick F]

I know what Standover Height is of course, but it's listed and not labeled.

I would also say that BB height is important, not just BB Drop. I know the two are connected via the wheel diameter, but the figure is important because it dictates the height of the saddle and whether your feet can reach the ground or you pedals bash the road on corners.

[RickH]

I would also say that BB height is important, not just BB Drop. I know the two are connected via the wheel diameter, but the figure is important because it dictates the height of the saddle and whether your feet can reach the ground or you pedals bash the road on corners.

But BB drop is a fixed measurement whereas the BB height will vary (possibly by as much as couple of cm) depending on the wheels & tyres fitted. If stated the BB height has to include what size of tyres (& possibly size of rim).

Rick