Bike Size Woes...

Interferon

Hi,

On Thursday I purchased a Bronx RX1000T bike with a listed frame size of 55cm (the bike comes in either 55 or 58cm models). Since then I've only had time to take it out for a brief 10 mile jaunt, but already I think I might have bought a bike that's a shade too big. I am 5"7' and have an inside leg of around 31-32". Standover height on the bike gives me about 0.5-0.75" clearence, and with the seat as far forwards as it would go I still feel I might need the bars back a bit.

Here is a link to the bike - it's the 2009 version, but the only differences for 2010 are the tiagra front mech, and colour... http://www.bronxcycles.com/rx1000t.html

This is my first drop bar bike, so admittedly I don't know much about sizing. The bike itself is cracking for the money I paid for it, but I've read that the wrong frame size can be really bad in the long-run. I'm not riding it today in case I end up taking it back, but would appreciate some advice on how to know if a bike fits in terms of reach/standover etc.

Thanks!
J

keef66

Well, I am 5'6" with a 31" inside leg and I needed a 51cm frame on my recent road bike purchase, and a shorter, flipped stem.

On that basis I'd say yours is likely too big, and no amount of tinkering will ever make it a comfortable ride.

amaferanga

What's the top tube length? That's usually the most important measurement. If its 55cm then that's probably a bit long for someone your height, but as always it depends a lot on the individual.

skyd0g

The bike sounds way too big, I'm afraid (although the website doesn't give the specific geometry). A frame of about 50-52cm (from most manaufacturers) would be a better fit given your size.

As a very rough guide, you should have around 2" stand-over height. Seated, you should be able to comfortably reach forward, hold the hoods and have a small amount of bend in your elbows while riding.

ALaPlage

Bike is too big from the info you have given. Other posters have covered it - Standover is less of a problem however ideally you need 1" to 2" clearance as a minimum. The other main number to get right is the top tube length as this dictates reach to the bars.

You have a shorter torso (based on myself who also 31"/32" inside leg but 5'11" tall) and would require a much shorter top tube. For my size and leg/body split I need a 56cm top tube - I imagine you will be around 49cm to 51cm ideally.

rocknrolla12

Im just looking into buying my first road bike and wondered if anyone had any tips on what frame size would be best. Im around 5ft 11. Cheers.

carrock

rocknrolla12 wrote:

Im just looking into buying my first road bike and wondered if anyone had any tips on what frame size would be best. Im around 5ft 11. Cheers.

Probably a 56/58 would be a good starting point to try. I am 5 ft 11 and ride a 58 roubaix with a slightly shorter stem, although I'd also be comfortable on a 56.

Ben6899

rocknrolla12 wrote:

Im just looking into buying my first road bike and wondered if anyone had any tips on what frame size would be best. Im around 5ft 11. Cheers.

I'm 5'11" and ride a 56cm. But it really does vary from bike to bike and rider to rider; you may have shorter or longer legs/torso than me.

Variado

rocknrolla12 wrote:

Im just looking into buying my first road bike and wondered if anyone had any tips on what frame size would be best. Im around 5ft 11. Cheers.

It's hard to say because it depends a lot on how you're built - i'm half an inch shorter than you but ride a 52cm road bike which is a perfect fit for me, but my mate is 5' 9" and rides a 54cm frame and I know someone who is 6' and rides a 56cm.

Really worth spending the time to get properly fitted if it's your first bike, makes a big difference to how comfortable you are on the bike.

LivinLaVidaLotus

I'm going to jump in here if I can as well?

I'm 191.5cm, inseam of 93.5cm - I've read loads and loads about measuring etc. etc. and it's just making me even more confused - as most of them come up with frame sizes that I just can't seem to find "mainstream" anywhere. So what size roughly should I be looking at? I appreciate that it varies rider to rider what they are comfortable with, just looking for a recommended starting point based on experience.

Thanks.

Lillywhite

LivinLaVidaLotus wrote:

So what size roughly should I be looking at?

Seat tube length on it's own can be very misleading because of the wide variations in frame design, sloping top tube etc. so top tube length may be more relevant.

You really need to try out bikes of your choice and if you have no guide measurements from other bikes that you own such as centre of bottom bracket to top of saddle and nose of saddle to centre of bars then you ought to seek advice from a good bike shop with knowledgeable staff or, as others have recommended, pay out for a specialist bike fit.

carrock

LivinLaVidaLotus wrote:

I'm going to jump in here if I can as well?

I'm 191.5cm, inseam of 93.5cm - I've read loads and loads about measuring etc. etc. and it's just making me even more confused - as most of them come up with frame sizes that I just can't seem to find "mainstream" anywhere. So what size roughly should I be looking at? I appreciate that it varies rider to rider what they are comfortable with, just looking for a recommended starting point based on experience.

Thanks.

At 6 ft 4 with a 37inch inside leg, I'd say 60cm frame would be a good starting point. 58 or 61 might do

fungus_the_muffin_man

I'm 5'9-10" and have 31-2 inside leg. I have a 55cm with 110 stem bianchi which fits me perfectly. I also have a Trek 1.5 size 56cm which is to big for me so I've fitted a 90mm stem. I'd have been much better with a 54cm Trek.

I used to get lots of shoulder and neck pain from the Trek due to over stretching, but being my first bike I listened to the bike shop I bought it from. I wouldn't buy any bike now without getting a proper fitting session with it.

LivinLaVidaLotus

carrock wrote:

At 6 ft 4 with a 37inch inside leg, I'd say 60cm frame would be a good starting point. 58 or 61 might do

I'm guessing on a 58 (which so far seems an easier size to find) it'd have to be a very careful choice of stem etc.? I've been looking at the Boardman bikes, but the max they go to is 57.5. Time to get out there and get sitting on a lot more bikes I think.

skyd0g

LivinLaVidaLotus wrote:

carrock wrote:

At 6 ft 4 with a 37inch inside leg, I'd say 60cm frame would be a good starting point. 58 or 61 might do

I'm guessing on a 58 (which so far seems an easier size to find) it'd have to be a very careful choice of stem etc.? I've been looking at the Boardman bikes, but the max they go to is 57.5. Time to get out there and get sitting on a lot more bikes I think.

The Boardmans are quite 'stretched-out' as compared to many - the 57.5 X-Large frame has a 58.5cm top-tube length. Together with a suitable stem, may well still fit you fine. I'd suggest you try one for size before writing it off totally.