Bike Sizing Query - How Important Is it?

Secteur

According to various online calculators, I should be a 58cm frame.

I'm 5' 11" with a 33" inseam.

My current bike is 56cm, and it feels ok to me, but I have never ridden any other bike so I wouldn't really know. I feel like I am almost stretching to the hoods with the standard supplied stem, but when I posted a photo on here once, someone thought I looked a little cramped and the frame was slightly small but others said the frame size looked ok. I was never measured when I bought it - they just said "this is your size".

In fact, I flipped the stem so I wouldnt have to reach so far (Spec Secteur Comp - so a Roubaix style more relaxed frame).

My dream bike is on sale, but they have sold out of 58cm, and have only 56cm left. It's an expensive bike, so I dont want to get it too wrong, and there's no "try free for 30 days".

It's a very racy bike compared to my more upright Secteur - how would this new position affect frame size?

So, my main question - how important is this 2cm?

I'm not especially flexible, and on long rides (>40m, hilly) I get quite bad low back ache.

If I did get the 56cm and later found it to be slightly cramped, could I just change the stem for a slightly longer one, or is there more to it than that?

Any advice?

Secteur

Furthermore - I am not looking for a new bike, but something has come along that is such good value that it is really unmissable! I had planned on upgrading next Spring, but I doubt I'd get within £1k of this price again.

flasher

56 sounds the correct size for your height.

noiseboyfeetman

When getting a new bike, and getting your dream bike, make sure you have have a proper bike fitting beforehand to ensure that the fit is correct and the bike is comfortable. Nothing worse than getting your dream bike only for it to turn out to be a nightmare.

Secteur

It's an internet bike shop, so wont be able to get fitted...

noiseboyfeetman

Well ignore my post then. Personally I like the personal attention and one to one you get a bike shop, and its easier to take it back if the bike creaks and makes noises, lots of decent shops offer 0% finance to help ease the pain of paying for it!

Zoomer37

A 58 would seem like a big frame for your height. Im 5'11 and ride a 55, but it depends on your body shape and obviously not all manufacturers frames are sized the same. 2cm may be easier to get away with on a smaller frame, but on a larger one you may have problems getting the bike to fit.

Not sure how long this deal you've found lasts for, but may it may be worth finding a LBS which stocks the bike or brand and just go and see how it feels. Then buy off the net.

thegreatdivide

Using the same set of measurements one fit calculator told me I needed a 54, another told me I needed a 48. Online fit calculators are rubbish.

andy46

thegreatdivide wrote:

Using the same set of measurements one fit calculator told me I needed a 54, another told me I needed a 48. Online fit calculators are rubbish.

+1

One of these told me I could be a 56cm another said 50cm and I've had every other size inbetween suggested too :roll:

nicklouse

TBH get the tape measure out and measure your frame and compare it to the published Geo of your "dream" bike (making sure you know how they have measured it as not all makers measure the same way or even the obvious way). then maybe have a play with changing some parts on your bike to give you an idea as to how reach and other things may effect the comfort for you.

I would not be buying online unless I knew exactly what I wanted. which it does not sound like you know just yet.

EarlyGo

Secteur,

+1 for the above. You can get your current frame measurements from the Specialized web site. Then compare against your dream bike. The Secteur has a long head tube, I suspect that your racier dream bike will have a much shorter one. You may be able to get around this by having spacers inserted under the stem of the new machine if it's not already built.

However, you mention that you have back issues. You really should get a bike fit done or else you could cause yourself long term damage to your back.

Although you are in the ball park for a 56cm frame , as nicklouse says above, only buy online if you are sure that you know what size you want. Don't forget though that if you are buying from a UK web site then you have the 14 days 'cooling off' period in which you can return the bike to them (unused!).

Regards, EarlyGo

Secteur

we;ll the bike is at Wiggle.

If they discount the bike by more than 15% then they wont offer their 30 day return policy (i.e. they let you ride it 30 days risk free, and they will pick it up free if you dont like it, assuming you havent damaged it etc).

I have a 20% voucher, and would only buy it at the 20% price (although it's still good value even at full price).

Anyway, they wont budge and wont throw in the 30 day return to make the sale.

Wiggle are the only UK stockist of the bike.

So, I reckon it's too much of a risk to take.

I dont *need* a new bike - it just seemed incredibly well specced & priced!

noiseboyfeetman

I'd just concentrate on getting your existing bike sorted and once the noise has gone get out and enjoy it again. Seems like you just want a new bike but your current one isn't that old!

godders1

Under distance selling regs you could return it for a full refund within 7 working days without having to give a reason but I suspect you'd have to arrange delivery yourself.

Secteur

Godders1 wrote:

Under distance selling regs you could return it for a full refund within 7 working days without having to give a reason but I suspect you'd have to arrange delivery yourself.

+1 i reckon postage on a bike would be £££ and i'd be at the mercy of the courier if it got squashed!

Secteur

noiseboyfeetman wrote:

I'd just concentrate on getting your existing bike sorted and once the noise has gone get out and enjoy it again. Seems like you just want a new bike but your current one isn't that old!

+1 i suspect this is influencing my thoughts (current & only bike is 4 months old today!)

night_porter

Here is how to get around the Wiggle guarantee.

As you have said they will take the bike back if you decide it is not for you under the distance selling regulations but you only get to "look" at the bike for 7 days. If it is ridden/used they will not accept it as brand new.

Stage 1
Buy the bike.

Stage 2
Sit on the bike and judge your comfort levels but keep the bike on a carpetted floor if it feels okay move on to stage 3, if not return to Wiggle and get your refund.

Stage 3
Remove the wheels, put on your Secteur wheels and test ride the bike for size/fit. If it doesn't feel right put the original wheels back on, return it to Wiggle and get your refund

Warnings.

DO NOT RIDE IT IN THE RAIN

DO NOT DAMAGE IT - be very careful if you need to adjust the saddle or bars position make sure that you do not scratch it.

IF YOUR WHEEL HAS A DIFFERENT NUMBER OF COGS DO NOT CHANGE GEARS - you are only testing for fit and comfort not how the gears work. If you decide to keep the bike and the gears do not work you can still return the bike because it is not fit for purpose if the gears are faulty.

FINALLY
If it squeaks (even only slightly) rebox it and return it immediately NO QUESTIONS IN FORUM!!!

MountainMonster

night_porter wrote:

Here is how to get around the Wiggle guarantee.

As you have said they will take the bike back if you decide it is not for you under the distance selling regulations but you only get to "look" at the bike for 7 days. If it is ridden/used they will not accept it as brand new.

Stage 1
Buy the bike.

Stage 2
Sit on the bike and judge your comfort levels but keep the bike on a carpetted floor if it feels okay move on to stage 3, if not return to Wiggle and get your refund.

Stage 3
Remove the wheels, put on your Secteur wheels and test ride the bike for size/fit. If it doesn't feel right put the original wheels back on, return it to Wiggle and get your refund

Warnings.

DO NOT RIDE IT IN THE RAIN

DO NOT DAMAGE IT - be very careful if you need to adjust the saddle or bars position make sure that you do not scratch it.

IF YOUR WHEEL HAS A DIFFERENT NUMBER OF COGS DO NOT CHANGE GEARS - you are only testing for fit and comfort not how the gears work. If you decide to keep the bike and the gears do not work you can still return the bike because it is not fit for purpose if the gears are faulty.

FINALLY
If it squeaks (even only slightly) rebox it and return it immediately NO QUESTIONS IN FORUM!!!

There is one flaw in your plan, and that is the rear derailleur and chainrings up front. What if they get any debris inside and it mixes with the oil and stays there? Then they know you have ridden it as well.

night_porter

Stage 2.5
Clean your cassette before putting the wheel onto the bike!

Stage 3.5
Ride a short distance and do not get dirt on the bike, if you do clean it with a dry cloth. New bikes do not come with oil on them but a clear waxy grease that stays pretty clean for a couple of hundred miles.

Stage 4
Hope that CSI Wiggle is on holiday when you return the bike (sheesh)

Secteur

still... you'd think the usually excellent Wiggle would offer the 30 day trial given that I wanted to spend £2k with them. It was a genuine deal-breaker - I'd have bought it if they had, but I dont want the hassle of returning it myself otherwise. I am 95% sure I'd have kept it too.

night_porter

They will give you the 30 day trial if you pay the full price.

I think your expectation of an extra 20% and a 30 test ride is unrealistic Wiggle needs to make a profit to be able to pay it's staff just like any other business. Do you work for free?

I guess it really was not your dream bike as even with a solution you are not prepared to go through all that "hassle" of returning something you are only 5% sure you will not want.

Perhaps bike sizing wasn't a real question?

Brushiemma10w

I'm guessing it was this:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-izalco-pr ... -ace-2011/

Sub £2K for full Dura Ace, carbon, internal cable routing etc.........surely worth a punt at 15% off if you're that unsure & its your dream bike?

FYI, I'm 5ft 10.5" and ride a 54 Specialized, but I guess these things can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Certainly at 5ft 11", I'd be stunned if you're a 58

Bobbinogs

Hi Secteur, there a few threads like this, as in "what size bike should I buy" and it nearly all comes down to "it depends".

I am 5'10" and ride a 56 Secteur. I think it is probably one size too large but a few tweeks make a lot of difference when it comes to feel.

In my experience, a bike fit seems to always come down to "how does that feel" and, whilst there is some science, actually there is more of just a subjective view from the cyclist. I had a bike fit at the end of 2009 and have kept some things (like saddle position and height, etc.) but have since modified the bar position by buying a 90mm stem (instead of the 100mm) and having it as low as poss (instead of at the top of the stack and flipped, which was what the fit ended with). This now feels right to me although i don't think the fit was wrong at the time, more a case of I think I have changed my comfort area by stretching and knowing what I like more. If I was buying again I would probably plump for the 54...but possibly not as I might find the 56 (slightly modded now) is perfect. I certainly don't intend to change the bike until I have flogged it to death. BTW, my two other road bikes are totally different in size and geo and they fit ok too.

As others have said, bikes vary a lot with geo and that pretty much makes any online recommendation just that, a recommendation which will need to be verified by the cyclist.

Secteur

night_porter wrote:

They will give you the 30 day trial if you pay the full price.

I think your expectation of an extra 20% and a 30 test ride is unrealistic Wiggle needs to make a profit to be able to pay it's staff just like any other business. Do you work for free?

I guess it really was not your dream bike as even with a solution you are not prepared to go through all that "hassle" of returning something you are only 5% sure you will not want.

Perhaps bike sizing wasn't a real question?

Not really.

They offer 20% off - I want that.

I also think it's reasonable to be able to test something costing £2k of my hard earned cash before I buy it.

If they cant pay their staff etc, then dont offer 20% off.

Essex Man

Given the differing geometries for bikes, a frame size of 56 on one bike might be fine but a different bike may be wrong. This is only the seat tube measurement, or some derivative of effective seat tube measurement.

I spent ages looking at frame measurements, including top tube length which is a better measure, but the bike I ended up buying, after riding it, was on paper too big, but in practice was just right.

You should find a shop that lets you ride the bike, and just wait for the upcoming sales if you want a bargain.

dcurzon

could you buy it without the 20% off, and so get the 30 day try/return... try it for a few days then return it.

then a few days after, buy it again with the 20% discount.

oscar-j

It's a well known fact that if your bike is too small,it can make all sorts of noises.oh,hang on...

oscar-j

It's a well known fact that if your bike is too small,it can make all sorts of noises.oh,hang on...

EarlyGo

oscar-j lol!!

Secteur, If you decide to go ahead with buying it then I think it's only fair that you check with us first before you purchase, regarding your consumer's right to complain about noises that any new bike may make!

Regards, EarlyGo