Long torso frame size quandy!

Aud Reekie MTB

Hi all,

I went into my lbs a few weeks ago and ordered a Trek 2.1, 56cm. It's on C2W. I'm just under 6'2" but my legs are unusually short for my height - 32.5" inseam.

I was unsure as to whether I should be going for a 58cm or a 56cm, but the lbs said that because of my long torso/wee legs a 56cm would suit me best. I took the bike out for 20 mins and found it comfortable. I had sat on the 58cm - there was no gap- ie my nads were on the TT, although it felt ok other than that.

Howver, one yesterday of my mates said he had just tried a Trek (2.3) 56cm and he found it a good size too. Only thing is, he's only 5'9"! However, his inside leg is 31.5 inches, long for his height.

This does make me worry that I've ordered the wrong size bike!

A couple of questions -

- Have you ever come across someone of my height on a 56cm?

- If the only problem is being too close to the bars, can this be sorted by simply getting a longer stem? What do others with weird bodies do?!

markos1963

I'm similar but smaller if you know what I mean. I'm 5'11" and have a 30" inside leg. I ride a 54 size and put a 120mm stem on to stretch me out. If you look at the sizing charts then I would be a 56 size. Your lbs sounds right, its always best to go with a smaller size and then you make adjustments with stems/bars/posts. If you are resting on the top tube then the bike is definatly too big.

Chip \'oyler

Aud Reekie MTB wrote:

- If the only problem is being too close to the bars, can this be sorted by simply getting a longer stem? What do others with weird bodies do?!

People go custom made. A lot of british framebuilders can build you a frame made to measure. Viner also do this. You can have carbon and aluminium frames built to your spec in Italy.

giant_man

I have the same body proportions to yourself, I'm not as tall but my torso is longer than my legs.

You've already ordered your bike but I would be inclined to cancel that order.

You may indeed be OK with a 56cm top tube, considering your inproportions! but a better idea would be to get yourself measured and then look at traditional geometries then sloping top tubes, for purely aesthetics to show more seatpost. The problem won't be top tube length but seat tube. I know cos I have the same problems. A sloping frame will solve this problem but do you want a sloping frame? Not everyone's cup of tea but others do like them.

I don't think you need to go custom if you don't fancy it.

tomb8555

If you've test-ridden it and are happy with the fit then don't worry about what size other people ride!

I am just about 6'1 with 32" inseam and ride a 56cm Cannondale w/ 120mm -17deg stem. I tried the 58cm but couldn't straddle the top tube and had virtually no Sadde/H'bar drop.

Having said that, I test rode a 58cm Trek 1.9 (I think it's the same geometry as the 2.1) and it was a very nice fit, whereas I feel more in-between sizes on the C'dale...

If in doubt:
I initially ordered a 58cm because I thought I -should- be on a 58, and hadn't been able to find anywhere that had a 56cm in stock to test ride.
Whilst I waited for the distributor to pull their finger out, I tracked down a 56cm and gave it a try - and promptly rang up and changed my order to a 56.

Depending on how long it's going to take for your bike to arrive, why not try the same before cancelling? Find somewhere that has the 56cm in stock and give it a quick spin / sit on it, and allay your fears :-)

Aud Reekie MTB

tomb8555 wrote:

If you've test-ridden it and are happy with the fit then don't worry about what size other people ride!

I am just about 6'1 with 32" inseam and ride a 56cm Cannondale w/ 120mm -17deg stem. I tried the 58cm but couldn't straddle the top tube and had virtually no Sadde/H'bar drop.

Having said that, I test rode a 58cm Trek 1.9 (I think it's the same geometry as the 2.1) and it was a very nice fit, whereas I feel more in-between sizes on the C'dale...

That's interesting.

I ride a 56cm Cannondale R700 at the moment - my first roadbike. Bought it off the net after sitting on one at Edin Bike co-op. I've heard that 'dale frames are generally a bit bigger than Trek? The 2.1 is the same as the Madone in terms of geometry, as is the 1.9 - the difference is types of aluminium/carbon used in the frames. I do get a sore back riding the dale for more than a couple of hours. To my shame I never did anything about it before now (plan to commute on the Dale and use the new Trek for the longer runs).

ALaPlage

Standover and top tube length are the two most important measurements to consider. The rest of the geometry makes a difference but get the first two right and 90% of the time you can't go wrong as subtle adjustments in saddle height/position and bar stem will probably be enough.

I am 5'11" with 32" inseam and like you find most 58cm frames are tight on the standover - not impossible but only about 1cm clearance and the best practise is 3 or 4cm clearance (1" to 2"). If the bike is comfortable at 56cm then it sounds ok however I imagine you may be sat up a little taller as the reach to the bars will be shorter than your torso suggests. You can imorove the reach with a longer bar stem if you want to get low. I guess thats why you find the ride comfortable too as you are not stretched and pushing weight onto your arms/wrists.

I am picking up a Trek Madone tomorrow (much excitement) and the 56cm frame was a perfect fit.

Ride whats comfortable and get advice from a good LBS - I think you will love your 56cm Trek and some subtle adjustments may help but it may be fine out the box.

Aud Reekie MTB

Cheers Ala - great re the Madone! /What kind are you getting? I guess they're all carbon?

From what I can gather, the only problem I'm likely to encounter with the 56cm is being too close to the bars, which can be sorted with a longer stem? What if the bars are the wrong height in relation to the saddle - fixable by spacers?

abr1966

I agree with the other posts. I'm 5ft 11 but short legs and actually short femurs! I ride the large planet x as my long torso is better suited to a longer top tube. Like others I use a longer stem as I have the seat as far forward as it goes to get my knee over the pedal pivot when at its most forward part of the rotation, i used a smaller crank to help with this also...

ALaPlage

Aud R - Yes you can make subtle adjustments by changing the stem and adding spacers for height. If the ride is comfortable then do you need to do anything? A 3 or 4 hr ride will tell you if the bike is comfortable and the following two days if you have no pain develop in knees/back then the set up should be right.

I am buying a second hand Madone 5.9. It is in new condition although the frame is about 4 yr old (unmarked) and yes it is full carbon. The rest of the bike is brand new - Bontrager race lite wheels and XXX finishing kit and brand new Ultegra SL groupset. The ride is sublime - so smooth and quick. Have spent ages looking for the right bike including new as well as second hand. Friend was selling his Madone 4.7 and I was going to have that as it was the best ride I had tried however he changed his mind at the eleventh hour . Still it had me convinced that it was the Trek Madone I wanted and came across the 5.9 when doing the usual Ebay, bike shop sites and ad searches

I will post pics tomorrow - very excited.

Aud Reekie MTB

ALaPlage wrote:

Aud R - Yes you can make subtle adjustments by changing the stem and adding spacers for height. If the ride is comfortable then do you need to do anything? A 3 or 4 hr ride will tell you if the bike is comfortable and the following two days if you have no pain develop in knees/back then the set up should be right.

I am buying a second hand Madone 5.9. It is in new condition although the frame is about 4 yr old (unmarked) and yes it is full carbon. The rest of the bike is brand new - Bontrager race lite wheels and XXX finishing kit and brand new Ultegra SL groupset. The ride is sublime - so smooth and quick. Have spent ages looking for the right bike including new as well as second hand. Friend was selling his Madone 4.7 and I was going to have that as it was the best ride I had tried however he changed his mind at the eleventh hour . Still it had me convinced that it was the Trek Madone I wanted and came across the 5.9 when doing the usual Ebay, bike shop sites and ad searches

I will post pics tomorrow - very excited.

Great Stuff! You're lucky chap!

Decided to take advantage of C2W despite the 2005 still being in excellent condition ( I started commuting last year so plan to use the 'dale for that and the Trek for longer runs).

Turning to the Cannondale, I tend to get a sore lower back if I'm out for a couple of hours.
Does that suggest I'm too stretched out?

Andy

ALaPlage

Aud Reekie MTB wrote:

ALaPlage wrote:

Aud R - Yes you can make subtle adjustments by changing the stem and adding spacers for height. If the ride is comfortable then do you need to do anything? A 3 or 4 hr ride will tell you if the bike is comfortable and the following two days if you have no pain develop in knees/back then the set up should be right.

I am buying a second hand Madone 5.9. It is in new condition although the frame is about 4 yr old (unmarked) and yes it is full carbon. The rest of the bike is brand new - Bontrager race lite wheels and XXX finishing kit and brand new Ultegra SL groupset. The ride is sublime - so smooth and quick. Have spent ages looking for the right bike including new as well as second hand. Friend was selling his Madone 4.7 and I was going to have that as it was the best ride I had tried however he changed his mind at the eleventh hour . Still it had me convinced that it was the Trek Madone I wanted and came across the 5.9 when doing the usual Ebay, bike shop sites and ad searches

I will post pics tomorrow - very excited.

Great Stuff! You're lucky chap!

Decided to take advantage of C2W despite the 2005 still being in excellent condition ( I started commuting last year so plan to use the 'dale for that and the Trek for longer runs).

Turning to the Cannondale, I tend to get a sore lower back if I'm out for a couple of hours.
Does that suggest I'm too stretched out?

Andy

Hard to say as it could be a number of reasons. Might not be bike related but if it only happens when you are on the cannondale then I suggest it will be fit/positioning. Do you feel like you are over reaching? Bent too low can cause pain.

Paul

The Spiderman

I have the opposite problem to you,with long legs and a short torso,I`m a whisker under 6ft but with 33" (and a bit) leg.

Need a bigger frame for the leg extension,so currently riding a 58cm Trek but fitted a 100mm stem,(20mm shorter stem than that supplied)and dropped the bars a couple of spacers.

Good fit now though.

I used the online fit guide at Competive cyclist,as a guide which was quite useful in working out sizing and adjustments for stem length and bar height.

Worth getting the shop to try a few stems,and if necessary swapping at time of purchase.

gabriel959

I am 6ft 6.5 and got a 36" leg. I am a monsterrrrr... :twisted:

Aud Reekie MTB

gabriel959 wrote:

I am 6ft 6.5 and got a 36" leg. I am a monsterrrrr... :twisted:

64cm frame monsterrr?

Aud Reekie MTB

The Spiderman wrote:

I have the opposite problem to you,with long legs and a short torso,I`m a whisker under 6ft but with 33" (and a bit) leg.

Need a bigger frame for the leg extension,so currently riding a 58cm Trek but fitted a 100mm stem,(20mm shorter stem than that supplied)and dropped the bars a couple of spacers.

Good fit now though.

I used the online fit guide at Competive cyclist,as a guide which was quite useful in working out sizing and adjustments for stem length and bar height.

Worth getting the shop to try a few stems,and if necessary swapping at time of purchase.

Good call re the last bit Spidey - cheers.

Andy

Kentrider

Definately try a couple of stems if you can. I have very similar proportions to you, and went for a 56 (when I went into the shop and told them I was 6'1 they bought out a 60 and a 58, but we agreed the 56 was the best fit). I ended up getting a 120mm stem on a cheap bike that had no option to change it, but after a bike fitting changed it to a 110mm. Suppose the point I'm trying to make is the frame is the important bit, you can play around with stems afterwards-I picked up a decent 110mm stem from fleabay for just over £10 (much cheaper than getting the frame size wrong and having to get a new one!!).

Aud Reekie MTB

Cheers Kent. There does appear to be a consensus here. 8)

The Spiderman

Also check where the spacers are on the stem when you try the bike out.Normally they are all under the stem,so the bars can only go downwards,unless you find a stem with more rise.

Make sure the bike is set up to put you in the correct pedalling postion first ,then adjust bar reach with different stem length,if required.

Aud Reekie MTB

Ta Spidey.

Andy