Bike sizing

P.B.
P.B. Posts: 23
edited April 2008 in Road beginners
This question is probably listed a hundred times on this forum, but my question is how do I accurately determine what size bike I need? I would like to purchase a frame or bike over the internet, so i don't want to annoy my local bike shop measuring me if there is nothing in it for them. I do not want to buy my bike retail. I am 178 cm and of normal proportions. I am looking at either a Cervelo or Colnago. Please help.

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    What's the frame geometry of the bike you ride now? And how do you feel on it?
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • MrKawamura
    MrKawamura Posts: 192
    Hi mate,

    You could pay a bike shop to measure you. I think a lot of them offer a fitting service, but I don't know exactly what is involved or how much it could help in your situation - somebody else on here will know I imagine.

    Below is a link to a page with lots of bike fit related links, if you want to read up on it. Some of the links will take you to online bike fit calculators.

    http://www.cyclemetrics.com/Pages/FitLinks/bike_fit_links.htm
  • P.B.
    P.B. Posts: 23
    I'm already on a traditional aluminium Colnago frame. I don't have my bike with me and won't for a while. It is extraordinarily comfortable, responsive and fits me.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    P.B. wrote:
    I'm already on a traditional aluminium Colnago frame. I don't have my bike with me and won't for a while. It is extraordinarily comfortable, responsive and fits me.

    Find out the geometry of your bike, and when you come to get a new bike, get the one which most closely matchs your current geometry.
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    www.bikefitting.com.

    Find your nearest dealer

    Pay them for a measure and order the bike from them if it is one of their brands.

    No-one is of "normal" proportions. That why getting things tailored to you is vital to comfort an performance,
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • P.B.
    P.B. Posts: 23
    O.K.
  • FORUM EXPERT
    FORUM EXPERT Posts: 80
    "I don't want to annoy my local bike shop measuring me if there is nothing in it for them. I do not want to buy my bike retail.


    Don't be a wanker!

    Support your store and they will be there to support you in the future. You may find you willget a better deal in the long run if you get it from them instead of an internet place who don't care for your long term custom.

    Anyone can sell on price it takes skill and dedication to look after customer on more than price
  • P.B.
    P.B. Posts: 23
    I value that opinion, even if it is a little sentimental. The guys at my local bike shop are all very nice and I'm sure that I'm keeping them in lattés just with purchasing accessories. The reality is though, things are significantly cheaper over the internet and profit margins in shops can be unreasonable. If you saw a pair of Adidas trainers in your local high street store and saw the same pair over the internet significantly cheaper, would you be equally concerned about your local shoe store?
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    Yes if it was a specialist retailer.

    Margins on bikes are very POOR. You would be horrified how low a percentage he pays (up front) on the bikes.

    If you asked you may find he will get V close on the Internet price and might even build it properly for you.

    Accessory sales only buy the coffee. He needs the top end sales to stay in business
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    If it's a bike with a standard(non sloping) top tube the very first thing you need to know
    is "Can I stand over(straddle) the top tube without damaging Big Jim and the Twins?". This
    is known as stand over height(imagine that) and is critical for obvious reasons. There needs to be some room there. Not a lot, but some. This is a good starting point when
    considering buying a bike. As for the rest of frame sizing, well, IMO it can be a can of worms as you will probably get all kinds of different advice as just about everyone
    is an expert on this, LOL. If you are thinking of a so called "compact" frame then stand over really isn't an issue and all bets are off. Best to get some bike shop advice to
    help you get started. They can take a look at you and get a better feel for what size
    you may need.

    Dennis Noward
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    P.B. wrote:
    I value that opinion, even if it is a little sentimental. The guys at my local bike shop are all very nice and I'm sure that I'm keeping them in lattés just with purchasing accessories. The reality is though, things are significantly cheaper over the internet and profit margins in shops can be unreasonable. If you saw a pair of Adidas trainers in your local high street store and saw the same pair over the internet significantly cheaper, would you be equally concerned about your local shoe store?

    I wouldn't even think about buying a bike without either sitting on it or being properly measured.
    Buying a bike online is like buying a pair of shoes without being able to try them on.
    If you buy from your LBS they are also likely to be able to swap stems, saddles and gear ratios to suit you, without incurring extra cost!
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/

Categories