What size mountain bike frame

[hondated]

Can someone advise me that given I ride a 54cm racing bike frame which is roughly 21" in old money that has drop bars, what size mountain bike frame should I be looking for to convert into a straight bar tourer. Thanks

[Erudin]

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

Try putting your measurements into Competitive Cyclist's Bike fit calculator, if it gives the correct figures (i.e. what you ride) for road then the figures it gives for mountain should be accurate.

As a rule of thumb I find the distance from the tip of my saddle to where my hands hold the hoods on drop bars and grips on straight bars the same on my bikes once set up.

[jonathanuk]

When I was looking at mountain bikes I asked the same question.

The cyclocross bike and mountain bike I bought from the same manufacturer are both Medium, however the frame measurements are completely different because of the different bike geometry. Unless you are buying from the same manufacturer (and the models are no more than a few years apart) then I'd say you really need to sit on and test-ride to find the correct size for you.

For touring I'd recommend a hybrid or cyclocross frame if you're not wanting a full touring frame, the cyclocross bike I recently purchased has a road-like frame and drop handlebars, only the thicker tyres and off-road treads slow it down slightly on tarmac (but they are excellent for muddy off-road excursions!) A hybrid will take straight handlebars well and make a very comfortable upright road tourer.

[hondated]

Thanks for replying and your advice . I will bear in mind the points made and I will now use the calculator.

[Brucey]

Can someone advise me that given I ride a 54cm racing bike frame which is roughly 21" in old money that has drop bars, what size mountain bike frame should I be looking for to convert into a straight bar tourer. Thanks

different bars, different riding position? If so a different top tube length...

All the manufacturers do things differently; I've seen variations in reach of +/- 1" or so in frames that are pitched at riders of the same height, and of course you will also get variations in design depending on how sloping the top tube is likely to be etc.

But a simple answer would be 'small or medium'.

cheers