Quick sizing question

NaapjusuN1

Hello there!

Anyway, I am going to buy a Raleigh 100 road bike and I need to know which size to get. My inside leg is 33.5" and I am 180cm / 5` 11" tall. The sizes they offer are 51cm, 55cm and 59cm. Oh, and it also say's that is a semi compact frame.

Here is a picture of the bike: http://www.biggerbids.com/members/image ... L151BL.jpg

On their website they are not very specific with their sizes, it says that I could use any of those sizes but when I went to a local bike shop they had the 51cm frame and it seemed a bit small. Also, they suggested I should get the 55cm size but they didntn't seem very confident

sods_law

Check out the top tube lengths of the frame, this is a more important dimension than the height.

A rough guide for someone of your height (i am 5' 10") would be a 55-57 top tube. Maybe a 56cm top tube with 11cm stem as your legs are quite long (therefore body slightly shorter) would be a good starting point? This is based on being a touch bigger than me and what a bike fit suggested for my body.

NaapjusuN1

Well, there isn't a real way I could measure the top tuble lenght or any other lenght, so what would you recomment from the frame sizes given, I was sort of thinking of going for thr 55cm frame but im not very sure as most of the sizing guides seem to be saying I should go for a 57cm bike or so.

sods_law

Had a quick look at the Raleigh site, and from the info they give i wouldn't buy one out of principle. if you have the chance, I would go back to the shop and measure the frame if you can to check, but my guess would be (and this is a total guess as the Raleigh site is very poor), that the 55 would suit you best of the sizes available.

I say this because I am assuming the bikes geometry is classic, that is the top tube is a similar length to the height, so will be 55-56cm, and the 55 comes with normal size cranks (172.5mm). I dont know how broad you are, but the 44cm bars may be a bit wide. it is worth checking out though if you can.

At 5' 11", I would suggest a 57cm bike will be massive for you unless your arms are really long!

NaapjusuN1

Thanks a lot bro! I will probably go to the store again and double check. But, does the size matter that much?

If 55cm is OK for me then I'm all good, not going to be too picky, just need to know that I wouldn't waste my money on buying the bike.

sods_law

Size is pretty important, as having a bike totally the wrong size bike may ruin your cycling experience.

Obviously you can adjust most things to make a bike fit you (change stem length etc for reach), but it is much easier to get a bike which is the correct length and just adjust he saddle height

rob13

I hope the OP had his questioned answered, I wanted to ask about mine without starting a new thread.

I'm 5'8 with a 29" inside leg.

I've been looking specifically at the Boardman Comps but cant work out whether i'd be best suited to a small frame (50cm with a 54cm top tube) or medium (53cm with a 55.5cm top tube)