just a query as to whether bike size makes a difference when learning to skid will a smaller bike make it harder to skid coz it wont allow your legs to lock and skid and also what bike size is best suited to myself who is 182cm
thanks amigos
I found out the hard way, broke 2 elbows. Having the right size frame is the best thing you will every do with your bike. I’d say about 58cm, just a stab though.
yeah i would say that is the right size for you. im 181 and ride a 57seat tube 58 top tube and can skid pretty well 
i found it much harder only TODAY! riding the p.m’s bike to skid (its a 55tt) so yes i believe size does matter. :evil:
It’s really difficult the judge bike sizing based on height alone. An inside leg measurement is generally your best bet. I’m pretty much spot on 6’ (186 cm I believe?) and my ideal size is a 57cm square, although I don’t mind a 56cm top tube as my proportionately my legs are longer than my upper body. You’re only an inch and a half shorter.
If you went on height I guess you’d be a 56cm (c-c), but then everyone’s different. I wouldn’t go up to 58cm unless you have long legs, and a 54cm would probably feel pretty cramped.
Yes, guessing bike sizes based on your hieght is bullshit. Its all about proportions. No one is the same. Go and get yourself measured. Yes you’ll probs have to pay and best to get it done by a qualified physio but it pays off in the end. You only need to do it once then you keep all your measurements. OR. Read/search the interweb thoroughly and read up about INSEAM measurements and TORSO/REACH measurements and go from there otherwise its possible to end up with the wrong size and can lead to health issues i.e. back problems etc.
To agree with Gypsy…
It’s funny that people say a 57cm or 58cm (I’m assuming seat tube) frame would fit someone who is 182cm tall. I’m about that (or maybe taller, I can never remember), And my three track (or perhaps TARCK) bikes are all around the 54/55/56cm size. In fact my Samson is a 56cm seat and 55cm top and it feels a tiny bit big (Although I’ve only ridden it once). I have a long torso though, so shorter legs make bigger bikes feel too big. My friends 58cm Soma Rush feels waaaay to big for me.
As for skidding… grip it and rip it!
To answer your question: I’ve found that the biggest difference to being able to skid is using risers over drops (ceterus paribus). Other than that, I’ve used frames with a 6cm difference and skidding has been the same. If you forced me to choose, I’d say smaller was easier.
As for sizing, I’m the other way on this: shop jocks tend to underfit taller riders because of the stock on the floor. They are more likely to sell you a smaller frame than is ideal because they have it on hand, rather than order in the correct size for you.
As a result, it has become ‘acceptable’ for tall people to ride smaller frames. I’d be recommending nothing less than 58cm for anyone over 6ft (183cm). But this is wear Gypsy’s criticism comes in: inseam length is going to be a necessary consideration, particularly if you are getting a frame with horizontal TT.
Jolan, at 182cm on a 54 cm frame… how much seat tube are you running?
No wait… maybe I’m not that tall. Cause I only have maybe 15-20cm of seat post showing.
Old or new style frame?
Lugged steel frames (Europa, Malvern Star, Samson).
Yeah… typically designed to run just over ‘a fist’ of post aren’t they? Or the old 2 inches of standover clearance. I can understand a smaller frame if you are tricking though.
Here’s the Europa (the bars are now track drops though), but the seat height hasn’t changed drastically (maybe a couple of mm’s).
