Bike size surprise

heathrow86

I went yesterday to try out a Trek 2.1c at my lbs. I thought i may be a 56cm size, I tried it out and my arms were locked straight when I was on the hoods. He told me thatI may need the 54cm size which was not in stock. I am tempted also to try an Orbea Aqua, but unfortunately my nearest dealer is some way away. So would a proper cycle fit session tell me once and for all what size bike I would need.

I am 5ft 11 and have an 34inch inseam.

fungus_the_muffin_man

A bike fit would be well worth the money. Make sure its a proper one though and not a "we'll watch you as you ride up and down the road" then make sure your balls clear the frame.

I had this with my first bike and ended up with a 56 when I really needed a 54. I never found this out though until I went to get a new bike which included a fitting session and he was flabbergasted that someone would sell me a frame which was clearly to big for me. But hey that's what happens when you buy from Evans.

You may have a longer legs than upper body hence why you need shorter top tube length.

But I'd never get a new bike from now on without a proper fitting session. Especially if your spending what is for you a considerable amount of money.

skyd0g

One other thing to consider is that sizes vary between manufacturers - one manufacturers 54cm may be more like a 56cm in reality, if it has a longer/racier top tube.

Even different models withiin the same manufacturers range can often come up with different 'nominal' sizes, dependant on which model you choose.

Put your stats into the Van Nicholas size guide - it will give you a good guide to approximate size you should be looking at. http://vannicholas.com//HowTo/WbmSizing.aspx

guilliano

Bike fitting sessions have many flaws...... firstly they cost money, secondly, they don't take into account variations is designs of models or manufacturers, thirdly they don't take into account personal comfort or prior injuries. The only way to find out if a bike fits is to ride it, even on a turbo trainer.

A bike fit tells me I need a 60 cm frame, but I need a 58cm Trek Madone and a 55.5cm Giant (albeit a compact frame). It also tells me I need my saddle 10mm higher, but that leads to knee pain after numerous injuries. Go see someone who rides bikes, get advice, try bikes for size..... and for god's sake go to a good LBS!!!

nicklouse

guilliano
+1

Aud Reekie MTB

guilliano wrote:

A bike fit tells me I need a 60 cm frame, but I need a 58cm Trek Madone and a 55.5cm Giant (albeit a compact frame). It also tells me I need my saddle 10mm higher, but that leads to knee pain after numerous injuries. Go see someone who rides bikes, get advice, try bikes for size..... and for god's sake go to a good LBS!!!

Hey guilliano. Can I ask your height and (if it's not too personal!), your inseam? Noted a 58cm suited you on the Madone. I know they have a tall front end. Are they smaller made than most other roadbikes?

ALaPlage

Guilliano
+2

Bike fit will give you an idea but it varies on manufacturer to what will actually fit. To be honest a bike fit also tells you what you probably know from reading the many guidelines out there based on height. With a 34" inside leg at 5'11" you have longer legs and shorter body than myself at 5'11" with 32" inside leg. I "generally" fit a 56cm top tube although this differs on different bikes ie. a 57 on a Bianchi, a 54 on a Giant and 56 on a Felt and Trek.

Get down to a good LBS and try a few biks out you like - that way you will get the feel of what fits and then it just needs some subtle fine tuning to get it spot on.

guilliano

Aud Reekie MTB wrote:

guilliano wrote:

A bike fit tells me I need a 60 cm frame, but I need a 58cm Trek Madone and a 55.5cm Giant (albeit a compact frame). It also tells me I need my saddle 10mm higher, but that leads to knee pain after numerous injuries. Go see someone who rides bikes, get advice, try bikes for size..... and for god's sake go to a good LBS!!!

Hey guilliano. Can I ask your height and (if it's not too personal!), your inseam? Noted a 58cm suited you on the Madone. I know they have a tall front end. Are they smaller made than most other roadbikes?

I am 6'1 with a 34" inside leg

The Madones are a what could be termed new traditional designs. They don't have the compact frame of a Giant (which are designed with a top tube longer than the seat tube to make a stiffer rear end) but they don't have a seat tube longer than the top tube like a "traditional" frame. As a rough guide I would say a 54cm Trek would fit someone of 5'7 - 5'10 dependant on leg length

rjsmith

heathrow - it's a good sign that your bike shop said you might need a size that they don't have in stock, gives them some credit for not trying to fob you off with what they only have in stock at the time.
I'm 6ft with a 34inch inside leg and rode a 56cm Trek, but everyone is different.

Aud Reekie MTB

guilliano wrote:

[


I am 6'1 with a 34" inside leg

The Madones are a what could be termed new traditional designs. They don't have the compact frame of a Giant (which are designed with a top tube longer than the seat tube to make a stiffer rear end) but they don't have a seat tube longer than the top tube like a "traditional" frame. As a rough guide I would say a 54cm Trek would fit someone of 5'7 - 5'10 dependant on leg length

Cheers mate.

My lbs advised me that although I'm 6'2", a 56cm Trek 2.1 would suit me due to my wee 32.5 inch inseam. I test road it for 20 mins and it felt comfortable. Does this surprise you? Is the only concern being a bit close to the bars, ie fixable by a longer stem?

guilliano

If you're comfortable then that's the main thing. Look at Andy Schleck...... his bike looks tiny, saddle raised about a foot on a layback seatpost and he does OK

bristolpete

I was in a real quandary when I bought my Cervelo S3. My Pinarello is a 55 and feels great - Cervelo make 54 and 56 so I found myself on the cusp of both fits. The funny thing is that it worked out at about 14mm of reach over the two sizes which I could have absorbed, but on a 100 miler that could kill me.

I am 5' 8 and a half. I could have gone for the 56 with a shorter stem to bring it in at 100mm but I plumbed for 120mm on a 54cm frame. Overall it is a great fit and my back feels great on the bike. Personally I wished Cervelo made a 55cm frame as this would have been ideal. The odd thing about thier bikes is that the down tube stays the same distance where as other manufacturers simply move it forward or back.

I understand your dilemma but try and get it right as its a lot of money to get wrong. I am still wondering if I should have gone for the 56 though as it was that close. I am pleased with my bike however, its great.