Frame length

nipon

We all know you can work out your frame size by measuring your inseam and doing the sums,but it dousnt work that well if you have short legs and a long body ,is there a way of working out the top tube length by measuring your body and arms?

brownbosh

yep sit on the bike and use your lbs not some crappy faceless internet seller!

neeb

Ideal top tube length isn't as closely related to body dimensions as saddle height is, because it doesn't just depend on torso length and arm length, but also on flexibility, core strength and personal preference.

If you are just starting out and have no idea what your ideal reach is, but think it is longer than average, you will probably be able to get it right by fitting the right stem, assuming the frame isn't on the small side for you to begin with. Unless you are a real uran-utan...

N0bodyOfTheGoat

This will give you a ballpark idea...
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

mostly harmless

If it helps any, I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam. I ride 56/7cm bikes which generally have a 555mm to 570mm top tube. I use a 110mm or 120mm stem depending on which bike it is.

I fear I might fit into neeb's "Real Orangutan" category.

STEFANOS4784

NitrousOxide wrote:

This will give you a ballpark idea...
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

I wouldn't use this as law though, it suggests anything from 58 to 61 for me but theses frames would all be to big i currently have a 54 and a 57 frame and am getting a shorter stem for the 57 as it feels slightly to big, imo :?

redddraggon

Remember that fit is very personal, even if you have two people with identical dimensions, they might prefer different fits and/or different frame size.

If you don't know what geometry you want, and you are not confident of working it yourself I'd suggest going to a "bike fitter" (and even then different fitters may recommend something different).