road bike sizeing (help please!!!!)

jon1993

im 17 looking 4 a new road bike for christmas but i understand sizeing is different to the mountain bikes im use too. im a competitive xc rider and know a fair about mtb but i have no clue when it comes to road bikes. im 6,1ft and inside leg of 35 inch will this bike fit ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TREK-1-5-ALPHA-RO ... 2c592bdbdc

also will this be suitable for starting off getting into some competitive raceing with i am a student and dont have the money to be spending on a new reasonable spec one but will this do ?

thanks to anyone that can help it does finish in a number of hours so any quick help would be greatly appreciated. thankyou.

Erudin

I used the Competitive Cyclist fit calculator to help size a road bike, put your measurements in selecting mountain bike first, if the XC figures it gives you match your own mountain bike's measurements reasonably closely then use the road bike calculator.

Work out the type of fit you want if you like a lot of bar to saddle drop go for the competitive fit, I went for the french fit for comfort over distance.

Looking at the geometry figures on the trek website it's fairly similar to my road bikes (french fit), I'm 5'7", so a 54 may be too small for you, I'm guessing something around 60cm (Trek 1.5 Ex-display model £600 to clear) would be more your size.

Link: Trek FAQ - What size of bike do I need?

silverpigeon

That bike is too small for you

nochekmate

A 54cm frame will definitely be too small for you. I'm also the same height as you and whilst there are a number of factors involved, I think that you ought to be looking at 58cm

This bike on eBay is not bad for a budget in my view - on at £399 or make an offer (you might get it for £350). Probably a few years old but carbon forks & carbon stays & shimano 105/tiagra running gear (similar to Trek)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Specialized-Rubai ... 230c625469

£500 for a Trek 1.5 is hardly 'reduced' - this is about the going rate for that sort of bike secondhand

mrwibble

I am of similar height and bought a 58cm frame bike (Bottom Bracket to Top of Seat Tube) but I was told it was too small because of the reach from Centre Seat Tube to the centre of the Headtube. The Height of the Headtube is also important because on a smaller bike it will be shorter meaning you will be leaning further down in relation to the height of the saddle when riding. The guy in local bike shop said I could ride the bike but I would never be truly comfortable on the bike because I would be in the 'Pro race' position and this would not be comfortable for day to day riding. He recommended the 60cm bike because of the longer Top Tube length and the extra inch on the height of the Headtube. I would suspect you will need a 60cm frame size (BB-Top Seat Tube) which would have a Top Tube Length of the around 58cm, this is the most important factor in decided the true comfort of your bike.
I use competitive cyclist fit calculator and this confirmed the Top Tube reach.

Chiggy

My bike frame geometry calculations are from one of the chaps who founded Mercian Cycles. I later discussed the calcs with Venom Cycles and LA Cycles. They agreed.

I don't share them.

The mass bike manufacurer who also agrees is Specialized of Morgan Hill, California.
I have an SWorks. The seat tube and the toptube are 2mm in error. I think I can live with that....

So, get yourself to a Specialized Concept store and get measured.

rc856

I wouldn't rush into buying on eBay mate.
Get yourself to a local bike shop and get an idea of what your right size is.
If you're fit enough, I imagine most bikes will do you fine to start off with as long as it's mechanically sound.
I've been up Mont Ventoux on my full carbon with someone on a £500 bike.
They left me far behind due to their fitness so get what you can afford and take it from there.

fallingoff

There are a lot of good deals around at the moment visit your LBS,when I did this I told them what I wanted to spend (not always a good idea,unless you can trust them and you're firm on what you want) they had loads to offer, 2010 old stock cheap,2011 stock and very,very good prices,Ebay is a bit of a mire.
Most LBS will offer a good range and advice..btw I'm 5'7" and I ride a 54.

nochekmate

fallingoff wrote:

There are a lot of good deals around at the moment visit your LBS,when I did this I told them what I wanted to spend (not always a good idea,unless you can trust them and you're firm on what you want) they had loads to offer, 2010 old stock cheap,2011 stock and very,very good prices,Ebay is a bit of a mire.
Most LBS will offer a good range and advice..btw I'm 5'7" and I ride a 54.

I wouldn't totally disagree with the statement re: eBay but there is no doubt that occasional bargains do crop up especially if you have a good idea of secondhand prices and can carry out a few basic DIY jobs.

The Basso Astra that I own is out of the OPs budget, but for me was a fine purchase at £1100 - full Campag Record carbon groupset and a decent wheelset. It would have cost me at least another £750 to buy secondhand from a bike shop.

The Colnago C40 I bought with full Dura-Ace (9 speed) & Dura=Ace wheels for £720 - super for that price

carrock

deleted

carrock

Wat a minute... jon1993-you're the guy who is one of the top 10 roller hockey players in the world with 5 olympic medals and rides a mountain bike at an average speed of 24mph on the road for 30 miles.

Just buy whatever the hell size bike you want- you'll still be quicker than all of us on here.....

meanredspider

I started on a 56cm Focus Variado but needed to have the saddle as far back as I could get it to feel comfortable so moved to 58cm Focus Cayo next - much better. I'm "only" 6' with a 33" inside leg. As others have said, you'll need to be on at least 58cm so get yourself along to a bike shop and test ride some.

BTW - if you wait until just after Xmas, the Wiggle ex-demo bikes go on sale. I bought my ex-demo Variado half price and it was in perfect nick.

jon1993

will a boardman team xl road bike fit me then its a 57.7cm frame (6,1ft 34.4inch inside leg)

carrock

jon1993 wrote:

will a boardman team xl road bike fit me then its a 57.7cm frame (6,1ft 34.4inch inside leg)

Very probably yes. Obviously saddle can be raised or lowered, and stem can be swapped out to lengthen or reduce reach + or - 20mm or so. A 58 frame is just about bang on for 6 ft 1

jon1993

thankyou everyone - new boardman team XL (57.5cm frame) under my christmas tree