Cycling Plus Article which issue compares 2 sizes of bike
captaincaveman
Posts: 3
Hi all
I am now looking at buying my first decent road bike (been a muddy chap for a long time) I am considering either a second hand lightly used Pinarello Aluminium with Carbon seat stays and fittings fitted with 10 speed Chorus and Record kit or a new bike for around £1k, also looking at various LBS and got some test rides booked for Colnago, Willer and Look.
I have it settled that the ideal frame size for me is a 56 but the Pinarello is a 54, I doubt it will be much of an issue but trying to establish what might be the pitfalls of a slightly smaller frame. I know that bike fitting is a black art and it varies for us all, not going to start that debate here, however I do believe that passive bike fitting is a good starting point.
With this in mind I remember an brief article in cycling plus recently which I was hoping to read again, does anyone remember which Issue it was in please? I do remember it was not easy to find when I knew which issue it was :? I tried to see if it was on the website but have been unable to locate it.
Regards
CaptainCaveman
I am now looking at buying my first decent road bike (been a muddy chap for a long time) I am considering either a second hand lightly used Pinarello Aluminium with Carbon seat stays and fittings fitted with 10 speed Chorus and Record kit or a new bike for around £1k, also looking at various LBS and got some test rides booked for Colnago, Willer and Look.
I have it settled that the ideal frame size for me is a 56 but the Pinarello is a 54, I doubt it will be much of an issue but trying to establish what might be the pitfalls of a slightly smaller frame. I know that bike fitting is a black art and it varies for us all, not going to start that debate here, however I do believe that passive bike fitting is a good starting point.
With this in mind I remember an brief article in cycling plus recently which I was hoping to read again, does anyone remember which Issue it was in please? I do remember it was not easy to find when I knew which issue it was :? I tried to see if it was on the website but have been unable to locate it.
Regards
CaptainCaveman
0
Posts
The conclusion was that "It depends on what you are after" and that "two different sizes adjusted to fit the same rider can affect the ride by a significant amount."
The smaller bike gave a livelier ride, promoting a racier feel that the aggressive rider might prefer. The larger ride was more stable , sturdier and subdued, suiting the rider looking for something more "reassured. Summarising, small for short rides and racing, bigger for longer rides / sportives.
BTW I have a 54cm Allez and a 51.5cm Pinarello. I was gobsmacked when, post bike fit, they said I needed a 51.5cm frame. But they were dead right. Frame size is only a starting point, you really need to comare the geometry.
Get in the saddle and ride a few miles.
Sure, if your ideal size in theory was 56, you wouldn't be happy with a 48, but 2 cm is hardly an inch!
Give it a go. A Pinarello frame with Chorus / Record is always worth a try, especially for the looks.
I just wanted to be sure as I can not afford to spend £1k on something that is not right.
I am planning on taking it out for an hour on Wednesday.
Regards
CaptainCaveman