if the shoe fits

Bike fit.

No matter how pretty, if it's the wrong size, you are wasting your time and money.

The compromise to get a reasonable position will be a stem that is ridiculously long/short, and a seat post up in the air or dropped as long as she will go.

Not only will it look turd, it will pass on numbness to nether regions, hands, shoulders, and neck as well as knee soreness. That's if you are fit. If you are have niggling injuries it will only exacerbate them.

I know this from first hand experience. My first track bike was this Holdsworth 57x54 - which I did the Hell Ride numerous times on a 74" gear much to the disgust of many 'roadies', but to the delight of the Good Doctor, which is how we met.

Pictured here in 'Townie Mode'. The short seat tube meant I was running a post past the minimum insertion to get what felt right, which led to the untimely death of the seat tube as it was sheared through over time. Sigh.

When I saw TH's Llewellyn EL OS in the stands at Shifterbikes I knew it was the wrong size. I'm sure he was dazzled by the opportunity to own a Llewellyn which we can all forgive him for. The fact that it wouldn't have fit the previous owner either couldn't sway him either. As pretty as that glass slipper maybe, it's the fit that is most important.

Sure enough, after consulting the Good Doctor, TH has the specs for his next project. Turn's out it's what I suggested he should ride also. So his loss could be your gain - if the shoe fits.

If you are interested in the complete bike with Shimano 600 8s or frameset only with PINK Chris King gripnut headset - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Dimensions: 56.5cm seat tube c-c / 57.5cm top tube c-c / 130mm headtube.

Columbus EL OS / Henry James fittings / Llewellyn stainless chain hanger.