Another frame size question.

toontra

I'm about to buy a Focus Cayo 2008 and am having difficulty deciding on the frame size. I'm 5'11 1/2" with an inside leg of 33-34" (depending how I measure). Going by most fitting systems I've looked at this puts me on the cusp of the 56 (L) and 58 (XL).

As I can't try this out, any suggestions as to which I should go for? Thanks.

Steve I

I'd recommend choosing your frame size according to top tube length (actual or effective, Google it). If you're happy with your current bike's frame size, measure the top tube length on that and go for the frame size giving the same top tube length.

If I was undecided, or between sizes, I'd always err towards the smaller frame size, there's nothing worse than feeling too stretched out. You can always fit a longer or shorter stem to compensate a poorly fitting frame, but I think that very short or long stems look a bit unbalanced on a road bike and can affect the handling to a degree.

Down the Road

Look up www.bikefitting.com Go to your nearest specialist bike shop and PAY for a fitting.

Then you can get the right size Here you will only get peoples best guess

Anonymous

Down the Road wrote:

Look up www.bikefitting.com Go to your nearest specialist bike shop and PAY for a fitting.

Then you can get the right size Here you will only get peoples best guess

As night follows day.
Change the record FFS !!! :roll:

Down the Road

The man wanted constructive advice

When you have something constructive and HELPFUL to add then please do

What's your guess?

Anonymous

Classic, coming from the man on a one man mission to increase the turnover of no idea ACT/cytech affiliated retailers.

pjm-84

Yep my mate did this and he is now riding rather usual custom framed bikes (a £1000 + a pop for the frame) with rather large head tubes. This came to an "head" when he found the bikes just didn't want to go around corners and is now not confident with the advice provided.

I go on top tube length and prefer a 59 - 59.5cm length. I have a 58cm Alloy bike (60 centre to top) with a 14cm stem flipped, 60 cm Kinesis Cross and a 62cm Trek with 13cm stems. Next I look at head tube length.

I did have a bike fitting after I had bought all 3 bikes and the information has been benefical for setting a seat height however I take the bits that I believe will be benefical.

Out of interest I've ordered a Colnago and the Guy wanted to go on seat height and his recommendation equated to a 58cm top tube length and around a 170cm headtube which is smaller then my current smallest bike. I could have gone for a 14cm stem but the head tube length was way too short so I went up two sizes against his advice based on the 4yr / many thousands of miles I've spent riding and knowing what I prefer and what I can live with.

My "Guess" would be the smaller frame.

Moomaloid

Toontra i can't believe it, i'm getting the same bike and i'm pretty much the same measurements. Only thing for me is i don't have a previous bike. its my first bike for a few years.

Does anyone know of anywhere in London that i can get properly measured up??

A

Anonymous

Your own livingroom would be good.

toontra

Moomaloid wrote:

Toontra i can't believe it, i'm getting the same bike and i'm pretty much the same measurements. Only thing for me is i don't have a previous bike. its my first bike for a few years.

My only other road bike is a Dawes Audax tourer, so I'm not sure how reliable that would be as a guide as the geometry (e.g. wheelbase, tube angles) is quite different. FWIW it's a 57 top tube (actual), so right in the middle!

If you have any luck with sizing let me know, and vice versa. Hope to see you round the streets of London asap!

Down the Road

whitley wrote:

Classic, coming from the man on a one man mission to increase the turnover of no idea ACT/cytech affiliated retailers.

What is the relationship between this guy's inside leg and torso length?

Ratio between thigh length and leg length?

Ratio between Arm length and Torso length?

How long is his neck?

Is he amorphically outside the curve?

How is his flexibility through his lower back?

These are the BASICS of correct fitting?

Hence the training and experience of quality SPECIALIST BIKE SHOP personnel strive to achieve.

wildmoustache

seems like not everyone is happy with bikefitting? most people say good things about it, but in all honesty unless you have an injury etc. it really isn't hard to buy a frame that will fit you with a bit of adjustment.

Based on what you've told us, I'd definitely say go for the 56cm frame. I would suggest that frame, plus a 12cm stem would be a good starting point. The worst case scenario 99 times out of a 100 would be a change of stem.

erring on the side of the smaller frame is always a good idea. long stems are a good thing so to speak.

pjm-84

What is the relationship between this guy's inside leg and torso length?

Ratio between thigh length and leg length?

Ratio between Arm length and Torso length?

How long is his neck?

Is he amorphically outside the curve?

How is his flexibility through his lower back?

These are the BASICS of correct fitting?

I've been done.

Mine consisted of 4hrs cycling changing my position to optimise my performance. This including moving the cleats and seat forward. Dropping the seat height and raising the bars. My knee and leg flexibility was checked but no measurements taken.

My spin cycle and power was measured and a lot of hums ,arghhs and tweaks made. However the biggest improvement was my body and how I used it for cycling. I apparently fell into the age old problem of curving my lower back to reach the bars rather then flexing from the hip. I also over extended the shoulders to reach for the bars rather than having a more relaxed position. Again to do with the lower back being wrong

Simple test.. sit on a chair, calfs 90 degrees to the floor, back position as you would on a bike (slouched!) and try to get up....... Can't? Try it again and flex the back from the hip,i.e pivot at the hip and therefore keeping the back straight. Easy. Sorted out my erratic spin cycle a treat.

Out of interest part of the first hour was spent finalising the position and reach and I kept saying to the guys that it was a little cramped. They however decided that this was "it" and it was only when they read the measurement off did they realise that it translated to a 53cm top tube. I'm 6ft 5"