Surly Disc Trucker. Help!

Not_Tintin

Hi Guys.

I'm looking at getting a Surly Disc Trucker 700c, and yesterday I visited a shop to test ride one. Unfortunately they only had a 56cm LHT 26" but I took it out anyway fully expecting it to feel like a toy bike as I'm just under 6'2" and I thought I'd need a 60cm. Instead, the only thing I would have really changed is a little more height on the bar. Much more on the reach would have made it too much of a stretch.

So here's the crux of it. I'm all set to order the 58cm 700c even though they don't have one in I can try, but I have a few concerns I need allaying..... Am I convincing myself 58 is right because 60 is unavailable or is 58 reasonable for someone my height? Does the 700c ride that much differently to the 26 (Because I loved the test ride and the bike's 'sod you, you're not stopping me ' attitude towards bad road surfaces)? Should I expect toe overlap with mudguards on a 58?

Is there anyone in NW England who has a 58/60 they'd let me perch on to check? More than happy to supply a few beers in return for the favour

Thanks to anyone who made it through that incoherent babble .

ugo.santalucia

Cyclocross type bikes normally go better one size down... so you are probably a 58 for this, even if a road bike would be better in a 60 size.
A smaller frame is always better than a frame which is too big... you should see the frames PRO use, they are ludicrously small

Not_Tintin

Thanks Ugo. I think you're right.

God knows why but for the last few years I've been under the impression that my Sabbath was a 60. After checking this morning, it's actually a 58 which puts my mind at rest a lot more about ordering the 58 Trucker.

If anyone could answer about the wheels/toe overlap it'd be great.

Cheers.

blackhands

Frame 'size' is not as important as top tube length. As long as its comfortable and you don't feel stretched or cramped its ok.

[In the past when we had frames made we would specify seat tube length ('size' as before), seat and head angles and wheelbase so top tube length was taken care of].

700 wheels will roll more easily, especially over rough surfaces so should be more comfortable. Don't worry about toe overlap for general riding, you'd need to be turning very tight circles for it to be significant.