| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1837.1 | SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER | WMOIS::C_GIROUARD | | Tue Feb 05 1991 12:21 | 25 |
| Height alone cannot be the only consideration around the planning
of growing into fit. While adjustments to stem and seatpost height
may help with the leg length, upper torso growth is as important.
In other words, you may be able to get by for two years depending
on the the growth rate, but only if there aren't severe changes
in torso length, arms (and legs). A fit kit will almost always
recommend a "range" of frame size, e.g. 54cm-54cm or stem length,
e.g. 105mm-110mm, etc... There is room there to play with anyway.
Your problem is a tough one.
I'm almost positive PANASONIC is out the bicycle business. Someone
else may confirm this. I think issues around warranty will be at a
very low risk (unless there is a severe mfg.'s defect somewhere).
If the shop has any reputation for customer service, they'll stand
by the bicycle. It wouldn't hurt to ask them though.
I'm a little over 5'6" (what a giant!) and my fit kit stated 53cm to
54cm. My inseam is a little shorter than 31" however. Long legs for
young guy.
Just some input - not all the answers...
Chip
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| 1837.2 | safety first | ULTRA::WITTENBERG | Uphill, Into the Wind | Tue Feb 05 1991 13:27 | 23 |
| Do you have to buy now? If not, why not wait till spring and see
how much he's grown?
I'd be careful about getting a bike that he'll "grow into" for two
reasons. The first is that he might stop growing. The second is
that if the bike doesn't fit when he starts riding, riding won't
be fun and by the time the bike fits, he won't be interested.
If he's growing that fast it might pay to buy (and then sell) a
series of used bikes, one per year or two. That way the cost won't
change much and he'll always be riding a bike that fits.
If you do buy a new bike, I would buy one at the larger end of the
fit kit range, and possibly buy a longer stem after a year to deal
with his growth.
[obligatory recumbent plug: a recumbent typically fits a much
wider range of height than a diamond bike.]
--David
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| 1837.3 | my 2� | NOVA::FISHER | Well, there's still an Earth to come home to. | Tue Feb 05 1991 13:45 | 11 |
| Yow, with that growth rate and the way kids grow anyway, any fit
will change in 4-6 months. Figure that in one 6 mo period his
torso will grow and leave his arms behind, in the next 6 months
his legs will grow faster than ...
Just keep in mind that when you have to buy new shirts or new pants
or something because he's outgrown everything, there may be something
to change on the bike, too. Also the more seriously he uses the bike
the more seriously you should consider making changes.
ed
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| 1837.4 | Smaller = Better | GSFSWS::JSMITH | Chromed Cannondale | Tue Feb 05 1991 14:01 | 18 |
|
If you really want to purchase a *new* bike then
I'd go with the smaller frame for a few reasons:
1.) Safety. He'll be able to control the bike better
and be less susectable to injury on the smaller frame.
2.) The seat height adjustment will keep him on the
bike for a few years with a few stem changes.
3.) Most pro's use a smaller thus lighter frame because
they can ride faster (also stiffer frame).
Just my 2 c's...but personally I'd just buy him a new bike that
fits every year at a police auction until he either stops growing
or gets serious about racing.
_Jerry
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