Cycling UK Forum

Smaller tyre won't be a problem, but why not just live with the "custom-fitted" 'grd?

Thanks NUKe. I guess that your suggestion is the only way the 2 measurements could make sense. Just that the seat tube above the top tube LOOKS longer than the figures would give!

Choice in *touring* wheels a bit limited by your needing 130mm OLN hubs (rather than 135mm MTB hubs), but just as an example:

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s179p373

"...a very limited budget for the wheels (<£200)..." would surely buy a pair of "touring" wheels from say spa cycles? And a 200 quid budget doesn't sound "very limited" to me!

That said, I'd expect Aksiums to be up to the task!

Yes, seen that!
But if size is say 18.5" and "C-T" is 17.3", WHERE are those measured?
Is the former c b/b to point of seat post insertion and the latter c b/b to top of top tube?
That's the bit I don't get.

While the Kona site gives most of the dimensions for the Sutra, it does not have a "drawing" nor seem to state precisely WHERE the nominal sizes are measured. I assume these e.g. 52 relate to the seat tube - but from where to where? If anyone has one - or knows where I might find more info - I'd be grateful for any advice!

I really rather fancy a Sutra (to the extent of even contemplating buying a new one which goes against my usual practice!), but I want it to mirror my Dawes Synthesis. It LOOKS as if one could but it's a lot of money to spend based on guess work. Otherwise I'll probably have to build a Cotic RoadRat.

If anyone knows of a comparable make/model (the Salsa Fargo is my ideal, but just too much money), suggestions welcome.

Thanks!

If you report it (and surely will be a total waste of time) and the scum find out, very possibly the next encounter will leave you (at best) injured.
Car v. bike is a pretty uneven contest.
IF you know them and IF you have some large mates, give 'em a visit and a stiff talking to (with an iron bar will work best).

"It's also kinda sad" that THIS "Anyone willing to do 80 to 100 miles on such a setup is some kind of masochist" is trotted out everytime flat bars are mentioned! It's a matter of preference and physical agility/ability: personally (and that is all the judgement can be) even a tenth of that distance with drops is extremely uncomfortable. Either the tops are at the right level or the bottoms are - I certainly can't use BOTH so what is the point? And when I watch others with drops, most of them use the drop position maybe 1% of the time! And just for good measure braking is both more effecient and effective with flat bar set ups.
If one RACES drops are no doubt fine and useful. Otherwise they are a sad historical accident.

I THINK I've seen Aksiums specc'd on cyclo Xers: if so, moderately heavy touring shouldn't be a problem.

AND unless you are expecting to need it re-welding in the back of beyond, absoulutely no reason why "must" be steel - alu is fine!

Sorry if this sounds obvious, but you are measuring inside leg length correctly - not trouser size?!

As already said, it doesn't sound as if your dimensions are sufficiently "non-average" to demand a custom build (and many such builders seem to expect YOU to fit THEIR preconceptions (often race bike style - which is the last thing you want!).

Try a few stock bikes. Particularly so-called hybrids or "sportifs" which tend to have longer head tubes. Altho' there are those who will scoff, flat bars (with bar ends) are probably the best solution.

I can't see why anyone would want nil standover - or indeed the bigger and therefore heavier frame that goes with it. Far better a slightly ungainly (aesthetics anyway) long steerer - and more exposed seat post, which is a significant factor in comfort (an alloy or better still carbon post will have more give than the frame tube from which it emerges!).

No, sorry, but IMO/E plenty of standover is not only a "good thing" in itself (feet down CAN be useful and not just for mtbs) but also has resultant benefits, whatever saddle to 'bars vertical difference is required.

Small world! I also snapped it in Nottingham last year! Neat bit of kit I reckon!

Concede! The Velocar is some 40 years older than Aart Roulandt's version!

"But it doesn't look like a Peer Gynt to me!"

Pretty sure a forerunner to the Peer Gynt! Associated designers/producers?