Retro bike frame sizing

Good morning all

so I’m on the look out for an old mtb maybe a Raleigh Amazon, Marin , Dawes, 80s kinda era. Seen a few local to me but I’m unsure what size frame togo for. I’m 5ft 6 with roughly a 28” leg so short 😂 if I understand correctly old mtb were quite short compared to modern ones which are huge. So based on my height what would be a good size?

thanks

tom

I didn’t think retronerds actually rode their bikes enough to be concerned with size?

small/medium? 16” frame?

16″ ish for sure. Basically you need to choose on standover, not length.

There seems to me to be a mistaken belief that because 26″ wheels are smaller, the bikes come up smaller too. Yes, they’re shorter, but the toptubes aren’t super low or anything – not even on old Konas or similar ‘low slung’ frames.

Choosing an old bike based on a desire for a longer frame = recipe for smashing your nuts IMO.

So something around a 16” and check I can standover it without parting my nuts on the

top tube ? 😂😂

Pick the size you would in a modern frame, retro works the same way. Shorter top tubes are overcome by longer stems. 150mm on one of my old Oranges!

So my modern bike is a 16” which I believe is a small and I’m happy / comfy with that.

I’d have suggested a 16″ or 17″ frame…

I’m 5-9 and on a 17″ 90’s Diamond Back, so 15-16ish. Remember you’ll generally have a longer stem than modern bikes..

I’m 5’11” and I always had medium/17″, so I’d say small/15″ for you.

As above, standover is the main thing to watch for

Thanks everyone for the help it’s given me a direction togo and some good advice.

👍👍

If going for a retro build, I’d be inclined to go down the Kona route. They aren’t as good as the rose tinted specs would have people remember but still seemed slightly ahead of the game – especially in the ’90’s

I’m about the same size as you and ride a 16” ‘93 Kona Cinder Cone, fits me perfectly. Disagree on the rose tinted specs – love mine to pieces, although don’t ride it off road much.

Disagree on the rose tinted specs

I’ve had one for 27 years. In fully original spec it was bloody awful to ride on anything technical 🤣

With some alterations (riser bars for a start), much better

I’m 5ft 6 with roughly a 28” leg so short

If you want the full retro experience, then probably a 20″ frame that the shop assistant convinced your parents you’d “grow into”. 🙂

But seriously, a 15″ frame with sounds like it would be fine. Most pre ’90s bikes were pretty upright, but some brands like Kona introduced sloping top tubes earlier.

Head over to retro bike.co.uk, I’m sure you’ll get lots of advice.

If going for a retro build, I’d be inclined to go down the Kona route

Oddly enough, I’ve just bought this:

@slackboy I was just about to say similar 😂 my Amazon was a 21″ I believe. An era when I would have appreciated a dropper, albeit there not being much room to drop.