Struggling With Set-up / Fit - Is My Bike Too Big?

Secteur

2010 Specialized Secteur Comp

When I bought my bike I was a complete newby and knew nothing of bikes, and so I didnt insist on any kind of fit - the salesman just said "this is your size" without any kind of measuring or even sitting on it.

Anyway, I'm 6' tall and it's a 56cm bike - I think it probably is my size.

However, I have always found it quite a reach to the hoods - my arms are usually fully locked out in this position leading to terrible golfers elbow.

I have flipped the 100mm angled comp-set stem to try and reduce my reach, and this has significantly helped (but I hate that my stem points up, not down now), although my arms are only just bent at the elbow.

Also, my saddle has to be 100% fully forwards on the rails, and even then I am only just front-of-knee-over-peddle-axis.

Despite this, I dont get back ache or any other probs and I feel like I can get the power down well and generally feel at ease on the bike.

I am going to buy a new stem - I can get an exact manufacturers one in a shorter length of either 90mm or 75mm - I think the 90mm should do it, although I hope it will be enough. I think 75mm would be too short.

Finally (!), when I put the saddle to the correct height (i.e. leg not quite fully extended when pedal down), it feels too high - as in I struggle to get on the saddle & clip in without falling over and it's hard to reach the floor with one foot when on the saddle at traffic lights. I have been getting some lateral knee pain which I put down to my saddle being slightly too low when I power up hills sat in the saddle.

Not sure what I'm asking here, other than any general advice / comments.

I suppose I could get a fit done, but I have heard too many stories of people just reverting straight back to their own more comfy position.

Is it a complete mess, or can I work this out?!


EDIT --> PHOTOS ADDED (only have a long sleeve jersey, and no my belly isn't that big - it's baggy!!!!).

Photos taken looking slightly down, so I look bigger and the bike looks slightly smaller than both really are.

The bike:


Saddle height:


Natural Riding Position On The Hoods: note arms only able to slightly flexed - do I need to consciously get lower?


Natural Riding Position On The Drops:

Bobbinogs

Hi Secteur, good choice of bike but if you have spent that much on a bike, why don't you go for an extra £100 on a bikefit? All starts with getting the saddle right and moving on from there. A good bike fitter will also look at your leg length/cleat positioning, etc.

Your bike size sounds about right (but you could have short arms ) so I think it is just a case of the right tweak.

Ben6899

We'd have to see you on the bike to make an informed judgement. As for struggling to remain seated, with one foot down, at traffic lights you shouldn't be judging fit in that way.

Secteur

Ben6899 wrote:

As for struggling to remain seated, with one foot down, at traffic lights you shouldn't be judging fit in that way.

Perhaps not, but it's an important consideration?!

Will try to get a photo uploaded.

ChrisSA

Secteur wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

As for struggling to remain seated, with one foot down, at traffic lights you shouldn't be judging fit in that way.

Perhaps not, but it's an important consideration?!

Not really. I can't remain seated and get a foot on the ground on either of my bikes, unless they are leant over a fair amount. Admittedly one is a penny-farthing...

Slack

I assume there is some 'lay back' on the seat post?

A shorter stem and zero layback seatpost may help you get a little more comfortable. Yes indeed, beaware of going too short on the stem, as this will change how the bike feels (speeds up steering response) How long have you been cycling, whats your hamstring flexibility like?

Was the bike pruchase quite recent...might be worth having a chat with the bike shop and see if they will lend you a shorter stem to experiment with.

father_jack

Sounds about right tbh, I'm 5'8" and ride 54cm bike. If you do get a 54cm it'll be definetly too small, know of a couple of people a couple of inches taller than me, obvious my bikes are too small for them.

Secteur

photos on way - 2 mins

mrwibble

if you're 6ft, I would say you should have gone for a 58cm. Before you spend any more money on bits, I would find a local bike shop that has bike fitting services. It will be worth the £80 or £90 for the consultation. With regards to the seat, I bet you have a setback seatpost which probably needs replacing with an inline seatpost.

Secteur

Slack wrote:

I assume there is some 'lay back' on the seat post?

????

Slack wrote:

How long have you been cycling, whats your hamstring flexibility like?

2.5 months, did 600km last month, 300 the month before that

Hamstring flexibility - no idea - how would I measure it / know?

I'm generally not very flexible!

mrwibble

Because of the high height of the seat and the amount of seat tube showing, I have a suspicion your bike is too small for you. The frame looks really small. you need to spend the money and get the bike setup properly for you. you'll have peace of mind, I did it and was worth it

Monty Dog

From the photos, you appear to be running the bike quite 'short' i.e. seat forward on the rails and fairly short stem. I don't think the problem is the size of the frame, but getting the right fit and working on your flexibility. Overall, the proportions of the frame vs rider look about right - certainly wouldn't suggest you need a smaller frame. I'd endorse the advise to get a bike fit and also get some advise re flexibility and core body exercises - hard as it may seem, but you could stretch out a lot more - getting more weight on the saddle and less on your arms.

taz3611

Hi. I'm 5'11 although I'm quite long legged, short bodied. I ride a Spesh Tarmac, size 56. I had a bike fit by Adrian Timmis, who runs Cadence Sport. One of the questions I asked him was if he thought I'd be better on a size 58. After measuring me in various ways, he told me the 56 was my size. I would recommend a bike fit before changing bits and pieces. If you can get to see Adrian, I would definitely think he could sort you out.
Check out the pic in my sig to see my Tarmac, unfortunately I've no side on pics of me on the bike. I don't think you look overly stretched out on your bike though.

Secteur

The photo was taken with camera at chest height, up a slightly sloping driveway, so it's looking down and therefore makes me look bigger and the bike look smaller - I am sure it doesnt look anywhere near as small in real life!

Also, I have lost nearly 2 stones, but I still have a bit of a belly, and I think this plus my lack of flexibility means that I cant get as low (and therefore long) as I probably should be

mrwibble

btw if you keep using your saddle like that, you will ruin it because of the load being placed too much to the rear of the rails

father_jack

Looks a bit small to me?

Secteur

PPPS - I spent £1k on the bike, 3 months ago, so I need solutions that dont involve buying a new bike!!!

If it is obviously too small, then I may have an issue with the bike shop, but I doubt at this point they'd do much.

Secteur

mrwibble wrote:

btw if you keep using your saddle like that, you will ruin it because of the load being placed too much to the rear of the rails

So what's the solution?

mrwibble

i have said before on here, if you are lucky to be able to ride two sizes, racey position equals smaller frame size or more relaxed position (very useful if you have flexibility issues or a bad back) equals larger frame

mrwibble

solution young man is to get £90 together and go see a fit specialist. Don't spend another penny on new parts before you do this. All's not lost, they will get the bike to fit

RowCycle

Me and a friend both had Specialized Allez's as first road bike (although his was the elite).

We are the same height, both 6ft 4inch, both had the 61cm frame. I found mine fitted well, but my friend found it too big. He swapped the stem around, which helped but he also found it odd, so ended up buying a new stem.

I think it is that he has longer legs and a shorter body than 'average' for the height where as I have slightly shorter legs and a longer torso than 'average' for the height (I found out after my recent bike fit).

We bought the bikes off the web without any fitting etc...

Maybe you've got a relatively short body/arms so feel the reach too long? The bike size sounds not far wrong based on the height.

mrwibble

where did you get the bike from btw?

jamm13dodger

Adjust the seat height so that with your heel resting on the pedal at it's lowest point your knee is only just bent. See if that helps.

father_jack

Saddle height looks fine to me.

RowCycle

It looks quite an upright position in the photo's on the hoods. But I'm no expert.

I'd follow the advice of other posters and do a bike fit. I'd take your bike with you.

I got a bike fit for a new bike, they measured me up, but since I had my bike with me (cycled there) they also had a look at my current set-up to see how it was. Turns out it wasn't too far different to what they suggested.

Secteur

OK, so the age old question - where is the BEST bike fit near me (Bury/Bolton) - ideally an ex-pro and someone who will not do a rushed job - I want time and quality!

Secteur

RowCycle wrote:

It looks quite an upright position in the photo's on the hoods.

That, I think, is due to my poor flexibility, stiff back and (shrinking) belly.

I am searching for flexibility exercises as we speak.

bobgfish

I have the same bike in the same size. My seat is a lot lower. I'm only 5 foot 9 and my bike can feel too small for me at times and to big at other times. I'm probably inbetwen sizes and a 55cm would be better. I suspect you are in a similar position. The sizing guide for Specialized says 56cm = 5'9" to 6'0" and 58cm = 6'0" to 6'3" The thing about sizing is it's a personal choice. If you are uncomfortably on it then a proper bike fit will cure this. Most people buy something far to big for them rather than too small. A Good bike fitter won;t be scared to say you have the wrong size too. If this is the case go back to the bike shop and tell them so. If they are any good they will come to an agreement and sort you out. If they don't you could always go direct to Specialized UK anyway and ask for help. I have been looked after by Specialized UK more than once with various questions when a dealer didn't want to know.

father_jack

Try a longer stem perhaps?

Secteur

Despite everything, I now feel very comfortable on the bike, other than my sore elbows if I lock out my arms too much and a bit of a niggling knee which I think is new cleat related.

I dont get back ache and the bike feels generally comfortable and "right" in the broadest terms.

I feel there are a few little niggles, but in my non-expert and non-expereinced mind the overall size feels ok.

Secteur

mrwibble wrote:

where did you get the bike from btw?

Leisure Lakes, Bury