Alright so I visited an Evan's shop today, tried the small (don't ask me why they size it that way) Charge Plug as well as the 53cm Surly Steamroller.

My heart was set on the plug but I quickly realised even the small is too big for me, which was a terrible disapointment. I then tried the Steamroller which was a better fit by a bit but still on the large side. The steamroller is available in a 49, but I havent seen one and Evan's doesnt stock them and I want a bike now!

According to the dude in Evans the 53 looks like a good size for me in terms of reach to the bars (forgive the lack of appropriate terminology; is that top tube length?) With my ass on the saddle I can just about touch the ground on tip toe (with one foot). Isn't the rule that you can reach the ground while seated??

Anyone know who stocks the 49cm Steamroller?? I'd love to give it a spin. Or any suggestions on other single speeds? Im quite partial to a steelframed bike.

Cheers folks.

Steamrollers are solid. From the way you describe it the fit sounds okay. You can always swap to a shorter stem if needs be and you are too stretched out. The crucial question regarding the size which you haven't covered, how much room is left between crotch and toptube when your stood astride the top tube?

what is your inside leg measurement?? and yes when you arse is on the saddle you should just be able to touch the ground with your toes

"Steamrollers are solid. From the way you describe it the fit sounds okay. You can always swap to a shorter stem if needs be and you are too stretched out. The crucial question regarding the size which you haven't covered, how much room is left between crotch and toptube when your stood astride the top tube?"

The guy from evans (i will dub him.... bob.) so bob said that im not actually stretched out so the stem is a good fit, when i took it for a ride i did actually feel quite upright. and that I could even put up the seat a bit (it was set quite low)

In terms of how much room is left between my crotch and the top tube, not alot at all... enough that im standing flat on my feet, but the crotch of my jeans were definitely touching the top tube..

sorry i cant be more scientific or precise about this. but thanks for the help.

"what is your inside leg measurement?? and yes when you arse is on the saddle you should just be able to touch the ground with your toes"

i can stand touch the ground with my toes with one foot, while seated but thats about it, and its a bit of a stretch. so is the 53 too big then?? the 49 is gonna take two weeks to come... i cannot wait that long, i want a bike!

well you've just said that you've raised the saddle a bit, does that mean that your toes are touching with the saddle at max insertion? First thought is lower the saddle ;-)
It sounds like a good fit, if the saddle is at max insertion and you're uncomfortable with only being able to touch with your toes, then order the 49.
Two weeks is a small time to wait for a bike that you will love for a long time.
Patience Grasshopper!

yeah i was gonna say, it's worth waiting to get the bike you'll be happier with in the long run, two weeks is nothing.

this is true. and i believe i will take this advise. and if possible, id like to buy it from a smaller store rather than evans... i know BLB carries the steamroller so i might check there and so does brixton bikes. any other LBS ideas? Not really many on the isle of dogs so id like an adopted LBS.

somewhere in the east end would be cool. or the vauxhall area since im moving there soon.

Thanks for all the helps guys! hopefully once i get used to my new fixie ill be able to join some rides. and that bike polo looks like wicked fun as well.

So did you sell the plug that you bought yesterday?

OOPS! Just realised that I posted as my wife. Sorry drunken cross dressing.

How baggy are your jeans? Would your crotch (as in fleshy bits) be touching the tube in lycra?

I ride a 60 fixie and a 58 geared bike (the former built from bits, the latter second hand) - can't work out which is the right size for me: the 60 is very near my crotch in lycra when I'm standing but is near perfect when I'm pedalling, while the 58 is much more comfortable to stand over but makes me feel a bit hunched (even though it has a longer top tube - prob needs an even longer stem).

If there are no braze-ons on top of the top tube, proximity to crotch is not a big deal, even if you have to tip-toe a tiny bit. Buying a bike new you probably are right to be more picky, but like I said, bear in mind how baggy your jeans are.

Out of interest (and the possibilty of the missus getting one) does anyone know what size frame the small Plug is?

In answer to my own question:

Hey livingasleep, Definitely go to Brixton Cycles if you're moving to Vauxhall... Unbeatable customer service there IMO... They'll take really good care of you...

Yeah i did! I had to return the small charge plug, the guy at the shop said it was too big but i was being obstinate and still bought it. then a few other people told me it was too big so i returned it the next day. shame that, i waited two fucking weeks for that bike. but now thanks to the help of all these kindly folk im gonna get the 49 steamroller and give that a go.

fucking brilliant suggestion mate, i just called and they have the 49 in stock! no other shop in town has it! im getting it monday! WOOHOO!

Where does this being able to touch the ground when on the saddle come from? If I was to do that my knees would explode.

sounds absolutley, spot on, the right size.

Its difficult to say what's the right size frame for any individual because of the everyones different body shapes.

The whole 'you should be able to just touch the floor with your toes whilst sitting on the saddle' is not the best advice tbf.

There are many systems for bike fitting. Here are a couple of points which will make sure you dont buy something unsuitable.

Standover height; Its important that your crotch isnt resting on the top tube obviously. But traditional and compact frames mean standover height is now a minefield. The point made earlier is a valid one re; jeans/lycra. For example on my road bikeat standover with cycling shorts I have around and inch clearance between my ballsack and the tube. The general consensus is this is ideal. Its a 56cm.
on my fixed gear, also a 56cm the top tube slopes alot more and I have a good couple of inches clearance! Its all down to manufacturer geometry.

The bike your talking about is old skool geometry like a track frame so the tope tube is horizontal, I think.

Its important not to get too hung up on that point, as long as you can stand flat footed over the top tube without your pubic bone/balls touching the bar its ok.

The most important factor imo is top tube length. Unless its your first ever bike you will know if you are stretched or hunched when you are riding, fine adjustments can be made via seat fore and aft and stem length and height.

Hope you get the right one.

i think this was meant when one is stationary. that you can reach the ground while sitting on the saddle.

Thanks man. I'm checking out the size 49 on monday in Brixton cycles and see how that goes. Hopefully that'll be the perfect one. Some are saying the 53 is the right size and some say its too big. Now my problem's reversed, Is there a something wrong with having a frame that's too small? 4 cm seems like a huge difference to me, why is there such a big gap in the surly sizing??

Unfortunately size increments are peculiar to the manufacturer. Some go up in 2cm gaps some XS-XL etc.

It may be that you have to look at another brand for a better fit if you feel 4cm is too much of a difference. It may be that physically you need a 51cm for example. As I said we are all unique in terms of body shape, torso, leg length etc.

Brixton cycles gets big licks so I dont think they will sell you the wrong sized bike. You will know yourself whether it fits, and with the benefit of experienced helpful staff you will get the right bike, or the best fitting bike. :)

All the best.

I figured that bit :)

Can you touch the ground whilst sitting on your saddle? I'm seriously no where near it.

well according to whatamidoing, you should be able to... and that was always 1 rule i knew about ever since riding a bike as a kid. dont know if it applies to road bikes but it does make sense. i can just reach with my tippy toe (1 leg) on a 53.

So how are you finding yours if you cant? and how does yours bike fit while standing over the top bar?

Mine is fine, my saddle is set at the right height, I have some space between sack and top tube and when I take a foot out to stop I am in front of the saddle.

Bottom bracket height, cranks length and feet size. determiners whether / how much you can touch the ground while seated.

should that then be a consideration in buying a bike? or would the inch or so clearance between ballsack and top tube be the best barometer correct sizing in terms of height?

I'm not an expert in sizing but I would say in general no, sizing is more to do with your comfort and efficiency when riding the bike rather than when your stood stopped. It is a highly debated subject so there is no one answer. These threads on sizing may be of some help http://www.londonfgss.com/thread6127.html http://www.londonfgss.com/thread4985.html

Hey thanks to everyone that's helped me out. I ended up getting the 49 steamroller from Brixton cycles. I've had it for a week now and its fucking brilliant. Just getting used to riding fixed, slowly getting better. My legs feel like they're about to fall off every night.

Cheers folks, looking forward to joining some rides once im up to par!

Nice work dude.

as a jump back to saddle height question.
it was part of the recommendations made by the cycling proficancy lessons given to kids in the 80's as an introduction to safe riding on the road. it was meant to stop kids falling off when they stopped. it became the norm and was banded about for long enough that it became one of those things you know even if it's wrong.

all this goes out the window if you're riding a track frame with high BB. i'm no-where touching the ground sitting on the saddle and am sized perfectly. rarely touch the ground as i track-stand at the lights.