Is my frame too big? 57 cm Bianchi Via Nirone C2C

tomlockbart

Hello all

I obtained a bargain Bianchi Via Nirone C2C 2300 groupset from a friend who emigrated and have been using it for a 5mile commute plus 50 mile club run once a month. I've recently been getting knee pain (I stopped cycling for a month over xmas but it returned on the way home last night).

I expect it's probably because of bike fit and cleats but I have a simple question: Does a 57cm frame sound too large for someone who's 5'11"?

I'm going to see my GP soon about the knee pain and take it from there.

Ta

charliew87

I'm 6'1 and have a 59. It's on the upper end of sizing for me, but I find it comfortable whilst seated, standing, sprinting or on long slow rides. I read when I was researching a new bike that Bianchi tend to measure up slightly smaller than the number given (57/59) - not sure how true that is though?

PostieJohn

Assuming you've not got freakishly long/short legs, I'd say that was the frame for you.
That's the advantage of being a fairly average height, you could probably get anyway with riding anything from 56 - 60.

cougie

And how much seatpost do you have showing ? Have you thought of dropping it a tad ?

Maybe try doing your commutes without cleats if its only 5 miles each way and see if that fixes it ?

I'd try both of these seperately before you bother the doc really. I'm not sure how useful he will be.

racingcondor

I'm 5'11" and started on a 58. Now that I'm more flexible I ride a 55 with a longer stem (essentially the bike is a similar length but the front end is lower). Chances are the frame is fine for you, what may be wrong is cleat angle, saddle height, saddle fore/aft, stem length and/or bar shape.

Your best bet is to set the saddle and pedals so that at the 3 o'clock position your kneecap is over the pedal axle and at 6 o'clock your leg is fully extended if you put your heel on the pedal (rough way of doing it as it takes no notice of foot angle when pedalling). That should get your saddle in roughly the right place. Cleats are all about natural foot angle.

Saddle position aside. It may just be that having had a couple of weeks off you're not as fit as you were (or your muscles/tendons have tightened up) and are now over doing it. If that's the case then ease off a little and it should be gone in a few weeks.

Evil Laugh

Knee pain is commonly cleats set up wrong/need for foot correction or saddle too low. Worth checking those out.

A bike fit is always a good idea (and one with emphasis on getting the feet right), can recommend Bike Whisperer if near London.


Re the frame, I'm the same height as you and I would go for a 55cm Bianchi so it could be too big for you but discussing this with strangers on the internet is largely a waste of time and it's also likely nothing to do with your knee pain. You probably sit somewhere around a 55/57 and body proportions and flexibility, even your handling preferences will determine which to go for.

BruceG

Take a look here and see if that helps

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/articl ... t-2-17445/

Evil Laugh

Pretty good article.

markmod

I'm 6' 2" and I ride a 57 via nirone, I had a bike fit at Epic cycles and they have supplied a couple of bikes in this size range for me. Most sizing charts say I should be on a 58 or larger but I feel overstretched and ungainly on a larger frame.

pst88

I'm also 5'11 and ride a 57cm Via Nirone and have been wondering the same thing. Got convinced to buy it by the salesman's "this is your size, you'll get used to it". Having tinkered with my seat position (i think I was sitting to far forward) it seems a bit far to reach the bars. I might experiment with a shorter stem and see how that helps.

t4tomo

I'm 5 11, 32" inside leg and have a 57cm Bianchi Via Nirone. Fits me fine. assuming you haven't got some freakish leg to back proportions then I don't think its bike size thing.

Hierotochan

I'm 5'11", 31" inside leg and ride a 55cm Via Nirone (clipless). I prefered the smaller frame, which felt a bit more nippy to me, but the 57cm seemed ok. I have a slightly longer torso compared to my legs, but I ride almost always in the drops so it just seems to fit.
Either way with a little tweaking I don't think you're too far off.

Best of luck!

fludey

I'd check your cleat set up and saddle height, I was getting a niggle in my left knee and oddly enough it turned out to be my right cleat not set right....thinks its to do with dominant leg forcing the weaker leg to move in my case...but got cleats set up and also have some wedges under cleat to angle foot slightly so leg tracks straight...so far so good.

I'm 6ft and my felt is a 56 and does me just fine

tomlockbart

thanks for the all the replies. it turns out it's probably a tight IT band. foam roller at the ready!