Problem with my 1991 Wicked Fat Chance

[fatchance]

Hey Guys,
I just got to take my first ride on my newly finished Wicked and its too small. The stem for the handle bars is at its max length and the seat is pretty high. What would you guys recommend that I do? I am 5" 9 1/2 by the way.

[colker]

Originally Posted by fatchance

Hey Guys,
I just got to take my first ride on my newly finished Wicked and its too small. The stem for the handle bars is at its max length and the seat is pretty high. What would you guys recommend that I do? I am 5" 9 1/2 by the way.

you want a 19.5 in frame. Sell your frame and get another one.

[fatchance]

That would be a good idea except that I already had this frame built up by my local bike shop. I think my only realistic option would be to sell this bike complete so I can recoup the most money from it.

[chefmiguel]

Sorry to hear it. Shouldn't sell it whole, post a trade thread for a bigger size and you may luck out.

[fatchance]

Thanks for the suggestion. Its pretty hard to find Fats at good prices on sites like ebay.

[colker]

try a longer stem w/ 10º... we ride those older bikes w/ a 3in drop from saddle to hbar. move the saddle back and enjoy. As long as the seat post is not out of the fram for more than 8in it still fits nice.. and it's a much more agile bike in technical trails.
Contemporary bikes, w/ 4in travel forks placed the bars level w/ saddles. That's not how early 90s bikes were fit. Believe me: it works. Try it.
And if it doesn't.. get a riser bar there. $40 will solve the issue.

[fatchance]

Thank you for the advise. Where would I find a longer stem like the one your talking about?

[colker]

Originally Posted by fatchance

Thank you for the advise. Where would I find a longer stem like the one your talking about?

you should do well w/ a 135mm stem and a riser bar. They are easy to find on ebay. A tioga t bone, avenger or a kalloy uno. A kalloy uno 130mm/15º... you may not even need a riser bar. They are cheap on ebay.
as long as you have slightly less than 8in of seatpost showing it fits fine.

[colker]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kalloy-Uno-U...item5ae5eb6843

[fatchance]

Ok great! Thank you for all your help. Hopefully this stem will solve the problem.

[Jeeves]

Not sure if they make "setback" posts in FAT sizes, but you could always ask your bike shop about a thompson setback post. It's bent backwards so you get a little more room in the cockpit. It'd make the wicked a little lighter on the front end, but I like that personally. I always felt you had to climb in a half-crouch with that geometry anyway. . .

-R

[colker]

Originally Posted by Jeeves

Not sure if they make "setback" posts in FAT sizes, but you could always ask your bike shop about a thompson setback post. It's bent backwards so you get a little more room in the cockpit. It'd make the wicked a little lighter on the front end, but I like that personally. I always felt you had to climb in a half-crouch with that geometry anyway. . .

-R

It already has a laidback seat angle... i wouldn't. thomson does not make a 26.4 post. Uno and suntour xc posts have more setback than thomson and made 26.4 posts.

[fatchance]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I will try a new longer stem first.

[fatchance]

The drivetrain area on my Wicked is not shifting properly and the chain slips out of gear when I push it hard. My LBS says its because of the long rear chain stay and that all bikes from this era get chain stuck. Is this true and do you guys have any fixed for these problems?

[chefmiguel]

What kind of drivetrain is it?

[fatchance]

It has 1991 shimano xt front and rear derailleurs with a HG70 7 speed cassette. The shifters are period gripshift. Both the cassette and the chain are new the rest is in good used condition.

[tvcreative]

there's an adjustment screw that throws the der back slightly try clockwise until it pulls more tension on the chain...

sometimes you have to add a link or subtract one to change things up on the wrap on the lowest cog

[fatchance]

Thank you, I will try that if it still does the same thing after my LBS is done trying to fix the problem.

[colker]

check your crank rings. see if the middle ring is not worn out.

[chefmiguel]

+1 on Colker.

[fatchance]

Thanks for the help guys, I will check the middle crank ring. My crank is in used but really good condition so I hope its not worn out.

[fatchance]

I just got the bike back from the LBS and it seams to be working well. I raised the seat post up to 8 inches and I just bought the stem that Colker put the link for. Thanks again guys, hopefully it ride beautifully after I put the stem on.

[colker]

Originally Posted by fatchance

I just got the bike back from the LBS and it seams to be working well. I raised the seat post up to 8 inches and I just bought the stem that Colker put the link for. Thanks again guys, hopefully it ride beautifully after I put the stem on.

Make sure the saddle is at the right position for your legs. Raise or lower to place it at the sweet spot. That's the beginning of any bike fit process. HOpe it works out allright.

[fatchance]

Thanks Colker! With the seat post at 8 inches I can still get on the bike easily and my legs are straighter than before. Do you have any recommendations for a proper fit?

[colker]

Well.. extend your leg along/ paralell to the seat tube. Your heel should brush the pedal.. here are some more precise techniques but this one works ok.
Place your saddle so the heel brushes the pedal when cranks follow the seat tube.

[fatchance]

Thank you, I will try that. I bought that stem you put the link for, since it doesn't have holes for the front brake cable to go through, do you think it would be fine to drill a hole for the cables to go through?

[colker]

Originally Posted by fatchance

Thank you, I will try that. I bought that stem you put the link for, since it doesn't have holes for the front brake cable to go through, do you think it would be fine to drill a hole for the cables to go through?

don't! just get a brake cable stop in between your headset.

[colker]

here> like this

[fatchance]

Ok thank you for letting me know. I will look on ebay for one.

[colker]

brake cable hanger.

[fatchance]

Ok thanks, does the size of the brake cable hanger matter?

[colker]

Originally Posted by fatchance

Ok thanks, does the size of the brake cable hanger matter?

something for 1 in headsets/ forks. If it's for threaded forks, even better.

[fatchance]

Thank you, thats what I will search for.

[afterbang]

Out of curiosity, what size is your Wicked? I ask because I have the opposite problem that you're having.

I'm your same height and my 18" Wicked with a 125mm salsa stem feels too big for me. I tried to win a 115mm Salsa roller stem that was on eBay, but forgot to bid before it ended. I sometimes think about getting a 16.5" so I could feel comfortable ripping around on it. I'm stuck between keeping the bike with original parts and wanting it to be functional and it seems like I'd have an easier time finding a frame than the stem I want.

[fatchance]

My frame is 18inch just like yours. I just bought a 130mm stem that should hopefully make the ride comfortable. If it doesn't make it any more comfortable for longer rides I might have to sell it and buy a 19.5 inch frame bike. Hopefully you can find what your looking for to make your ride more comfortable too.

[colker]

Originally Posted by afterbang

Out of curiosity, what size is your Wicked? I ask because I have the opposite problem that you're having.

I'm your same height and my 18" Wicked with a 125mm salsa stem feels too big for me. I tried to win a 115mm Salsa roller stem that was on eBay, but forgot to bid before it ended. I sometimes think about getting a 16.5" so I could feel comfortable ripping around on it. I'm stuck between keeping the bike with original parts and wanting it to be functional and it seems like I'd have an easier time finding a frame than the stem I want.

get a cheap 120mm stem there. If it works, get the high end stuff..

[backtofuturetoyota]

I'm really surprised the bike shop couldn't get this all resolved for you. But, again....the only decent shop I knew of there was gear junkies down on south street back in the 90's. That's where I got my fat from. Good luck with your adjustment. Let's hope it all works out for you.

[fatchance]

Thank you, hopefully I can get it resolved otherwise I will have to sell it and buy a 19 inch frame bike so it fits me.

[fatchance]

Even though I am at a standstill waiting for the longer stem to see if it will make it a better fitting bike, here are some pictures that I took a few days ago.

[colker]

Beautifull bike. You could ride a bigger frame but.. i suggest first you level that saddle. You already have a 135 stem .. but it needs more rise.
The drop down saddle is generating most of your fit problems. Level it. Then raise it to where it needs to be. take more pics and i will tell you if you want a bigger frame.
I love your frame btw. beautifull color.. and no, i am not coveting your bike. heheh