Orbea Orca Frame

The_0ne

Im looking to build up a new road bike using a 2006 Orbea Orca Full Carbon Frame.

The frame in question is 54cms.

Orbeas sizing states:

Seat tube (Centre/centre) - 490cm
Top tube (Centre/centre) - 550cm

Im 5 foot 11. Would this be a big enough frame do you think? Using 700c wheels obviously.

Also im unsre whether to go with shimano or campag throughout?

redddraggon

Sounds about right size to me,

Campag all the way

cydonian74

redddraggon wrote:

Sounds about right size to me,

Campag all the way

Sorry.....? If the guy is 5' 11" then a 54 cm frame is too small, WAY TOO SMALL!

I think that you need to be looking circa 56-58 cm territory. Also what is your inside leg measurement? What size bike do you ride at the moment.

Get the frame size right, then worry about the components. Shimano is better value for money though!

redddraggon

cydonian74 wrote:

Sorry.....? If the guy is 5' 11" then a 54 cm frame is too small, WAY TOO SMALL!

55cm top tube with a 12 or 13cm stem sounds about right to me. Since when is it "WAY TOO SMALL"?

If you are suggesting a 56cm, then a 54cm is definitely not WAY TOO SMALL

portuguese mike

Also inside leg measuremnt is that important either (providing standover heigth is ok) - the saddle height is easily adjusted. What isn't so easy to adjust is the top tube length. This is why length of torso is more of a determining factor when choosing a frame size.

For an averagely proportioned person of 5'11" then i agree with Red that a 55cm top tube should be ok with the standard stem lengths available.

HarryB

Errr . . . the 54cm sounds spot on to me. I'm 5ft 11in and my Pinarello Prince is a 53cm

fast as fupp

i concur 55 top tube is WAY TO GO!

please dont ruin it with fishing tackle

redddraggon

HarryB wrote:

Errr . . . the 54cm sounds spot on to me. I'm 5ft 11in and my Pinarello Prince is a 53cm

It's the Italian (IMO the best way) way of frame sizing, get the smallest one that fits.

cydonian74

redddraggon wrote:

cydonian74 wrote:

Sorry.....? If the guy is 5' 11" then a 54 cm frame is too small, WAY TOO SMALL!

55cm top tube with a 12 or 13cm stem sounds about right to me. Since when is it "WAY TOO SMALL"?

If you are suggesting a 56cm, then a 54cm is definitely not WAY TOO SMALL

Ok its not WAY TOO SMALL...but it is too small. In my opinion. For what thats worth. Don't just listen to us though, go to your lbs and try some bikes of these sizes before you buy.

The_0ne

Ok cheers now i know its the right size and obviously i can adjust with the right saddle and stem its a case of which groupset to go with.

I was considering either campag chorus or shimano ultega.

Any preferences over those two? Does campag mean you cnt change gear easily when in the hoods because of where the thumb lever is positioned or is that only on the lower end campag groupsets?

portuguese mike

Definatley campag - a frame like that deserves it. And no there is no problem shifting down the block when on the hoods (or on the drops) and you can trim the front mech which you can't on some other gruppos we could mention.

redddraggon

The_0ne wrote:

I was considering either campag chorus or shimano ultega.

That's easy. Chorus is the same level as Dura Ace, higher than Ultegra. I find Campag easier to shift with, the button is easy to press from the drops and hoods. You also don't get the brake levers bending in as they are fixed with Campag.

It's an eternal debate, some people like fishing tackle, some like a proper groupset - take your pick

fast as fupp

The_0ne wrote:

Ok cheers now i know its the right size and obviously i can adjust with the right saddle and stem its a case of which groupset to go with.

I was considering either campag chorus or shimano ultega.

Any preferences over those two? Does campag mean you cnt change gear easily when in the hoods because of where the thumb lever is positioned or is that only on the lower end campag groupsets?

id recommend trying them out before you buy- ive got a dura-ace equipped giant and a wilier with chorus- the shimano controls are much lighter than campag but not as positve- and if your campag breaks its fixable if shimano stuff breaks then its in the bin

like they say ' shimano wears out-campag wears in'

markos1963

cydonian74 wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

Sounds about right size to me,

Campag all the way

Sorry.....? If the guy is 5' 11" then a 54 cm frame is too small, WAY TOO SMALL!

I think that you need to be looking circa 56-58 cm territory. Also what is your inside leg measurement? What size bike do you ride at the moment.

Get the frame size right, then worry about the components. Shimano is better value for money though!

Sorry but you are wrong. I am 5'11" and ride an Onix. I too thought I was a 56 but when measured at my LBS a 54 was the right size for me. The only change was a 120mm stem length to suit my slightly longer body to leg ratio.

giant_man

It's all in the seat tube guys. Every frame geometry is different.

Garry H

portuguese mike wrote:

Definatley campag - a frame like that deserves it. And no there is no problem shifting down the block when on the hoods (or on the drops) and you can trim the front mech which you can't on some other gruppos we could mention.

You can trim front mech on Shimano as well...

flyingelephant

I ride a 57 orbea orca. I'm 182cm tall and made up predominatly of leg. This gives me good length on the leg but the 57 top tube is a little long. This is offset by the longer headtube on the orbea orca which effectivly bring the bars closer to you, and with a 100mm stem, all is about right.
Leg and reach is what it's all about with the top tube being the important measurement on a bike. OK, you can move the saddle forward and aft, and change the length of the stem. But not by much. Greater adaptability comes from moving the seatpost up and down.
Unless you have a long reach, or like a stretched out position, go for the size down from the 57 as you are 5'11". Better still swing a leg over any that you can find. I think all the carbon orbeas have about the same sizing so give it a go.