Set Up Issues

Mr Blister
Posts: 25
I have just got a "new to me" s works Roubaix frameset. I have built it up and taken her out for a spin today. It DIDN'T feel great! I had a fairly good set up on my last Allez and seem to have completely missed the mark with my new frameset. There are a few changes which I think may be significant - I have gone from a 52cm frame to a 49cm frame. I am only 5"4 so I think the 49cm is more suitable for me. I have also changed from a 175 crank to a 165.
My question is then - Where would you start with trying to sort out the set up? Everything feels wrong at the moment!
Cheers
My question is then - Where would you start with trying to sort out the set up? Everything feels wrong at the moment!
Cheers
07 Specialized Roubaix S - Works - With Kysrium SL's
Iceni Reynolds 520 commuter/ tourer
DMR Trailstar
If it has wheels I'll ride it!!
Iceni Reynolds 520 commuter/ tourer
DMR Trailstar
If it has wheels I'll ride it!!
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Comments
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I'm no expert but the way I see it you are stuck with the frame size.
Not sure how it doesn't feel right for you but
Adjustments could be made on the seatpost height, start high and work downwards though, the other way round may show scratch insertion marks on seatpost.
The setback of saddle could be adjusted.
The above I see as cost free alterations.
Costly ones could be chainset arm length, hit and miss
less costly would be changing the stem but again hit and miss on length and angle.
As I said no expert and if anyone see anything wrong that I have stated please let me know, otherwise hope it helps,
Chers, Scurry0 -
Probably just a case of getting used to it. Slightest difference in frame size you will notice, or at least I did.
I used to have a Giant OCR2, I think it was a 57cm frame. I then went to Spec Allez 58cm frame and it just felt big for ages. Eventually I got used to it.
I would just wait it out for a while and see if you get used to it, presumably you're not intending on returning the bike. If after a few months you're still not comfortable then start changing things.
This advise is also based on an assumption that you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort while cycling but just that it 'feels' wrong.0 -
did you make any measurements on your old bike before changing the frames over?
This way you would have been able to accurately have some reference points to then match your old position which fitted you well.
Like others have said, even little differences will feel strange to start with.0 -
Why not stick the bike on a turbo, set the saddle height and fore/aft position exactly up the same as the Allez (assuming you haven't already) and then sit up straight and just spin for 10 mins. If that feels wrong then you may have narrowed the culprit down straight away (as in cranks). Then, move on to the reach, etc., by measuring the saddle nose to hoods from the Allez and copying across. Just like basic bike setup (so apols if all this is old hat to you).
Agree with the comments about different size frames feeling different. I have 4 bikes and they are all slightly different (two were inherited and are a size too small) but I have adjusted the reach, etc., so the bikes are comfortable...just feel different but then the geo is all different anyway. Not sure what my point is here.0 -
Thanks for all the replies. I think getting the set up right using the turbo may well be the way forward. Unfortunately, even though I thought about it before stripping the Allez, I didn't take down any measurements! Lesson learnt, I hope.07 Specialized Roubaix S - Works - With Kysrium SL's
Iceni Reynolds 520 commuter/ tourer
DMR Trailstar
If it has wheels I'll ride it!!0 -
For someone of your height the 49 will be the better frame.
Also the 165 cranks are the right change, 175 are too big unless you have long legs for your height.
Your going to have to experiment with seat height to get it right as you have made a change to frame size and also taken a cm off your crank size too. Also as said the geometries of the bikes differ anyway.
As a guide i have a 49 cm look frame and my seat height is set at 685mm centre of bb to top of saddle (im 5'6")
Before i had a bike fit this was what i did for getting a comfortable position on the bike.
Rough seat height adjustment (get a friend to help), loosen off the seatpost fully then get on the bike and clip in. Extend your leg to just under full extension(with the crank arm at 6 o clock) then get a friend to push the saddle up to position under your backside and tighten it.
That will be a rough gauge for height (some tweaking will be required when you start pedalling on the turbo)
For the fore and aft on the saddle get a piece of string with a bolt on the end sit on the bike with the drive side pedal horizontal to the ground (3 o clock) while clipped in.
Take the string and run it off the centre of your knee and let it hang, the bolt should run down the pedal spindle.
This was how i did it, it gave me a good position that needed only minor tweaking.
Once you have a good position measure it and write it down0