6'3 Male-Carrera Road Bike-L58cm-Big enough?

Gotjack

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting into cycling for the summer, having recently moved to Cornwall for a short stay with work. I feel itll be a good way to see the sights whilst burning of some calories!

Im thinking of purchasing the Carrera TDF Road Bike 2011/2012 - Large 58cm for £330 at Halfords (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... PDPz1#tab1)

My main concern is whether the bike frame is big enough. Having looked on size guides, a number of them suggest i should be a 62 cm. However in speaking to my uncle, he says because the bike has compact geometry, that it will fit?

What are the forums thoughts on whether this bike will be appropriately sized?

And if not, suggest alternatives at a similar price?

lfcquin

Hard to say because they don't show the geometry on the Halfords website. Its equivilent to a 58cm standard bike, so just because its a compact frame it doesn't mean it will fit you. Just as a comparison I am a smidge under 6ft 3" and all my bikes are 60cm. Even then they are all a slightly different fit because of different length top tubes and seat angles etc. I would ride a 58cm frame, but only if it had a good size head tube because I struggle for comfort on bikes with short head tubes or long reach.

My view is it won't be far off being ok, but you will only know once you have had a good ride on it. You won't be certain just sitting on it in the store. If its not ok then you can always play about with different stems to try and get it right. All comes down to whether you want to risk it realy.

Gotjack

Having looked at 60-62 cm framed cycles however, id need to double my budget (somewhere around the £600-700 mark)
With it being an entry purchase, im less inclined to pay more money just yet.

Thanks for the advice though. I'm going to have a look at in halfords, and possibly try to make an instinctive call.

Do you think the people in halfords will be able to adjust it suitable?

sungod

58 does seem a bit small for your height, but frame geometry, body proportions and flexibility are factors too (relying on the latter may get uncomfortable/painful on longer rides)

if it's a bit tight, to improve fit you could get a seatpost that's taller and/or has more setback, plus maybe a longer stem, these would be extra cost and tbh halfords isn't where i'd have them selected/fitted (both are easy to fit diy)

is it hilly where you are? the bike has a 39t smallest at the front, if you are new to riding and, ahem, more generously proportioned, then you may find yourself grinding on long/steep climbs

unless it's urgent, i'd keep an eye on the secondhand market, ebay, the cycling weekly website classified ads etc., for around the same price you could get a better bike in the right size

ovi

I'm 6'4" and use a Scott xl 58cm frame with no problems but did put on a longer stem.
Try using this:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR&SITE.CODE=RDB&bikeType=on&gender=M&units=cm

Gotjack

sungod wrote:

58 does seem a bit small for your height, but frame geometry, body proportions and flexibility are factors too (relying on the latter may get uncomfortable/painful on longer rides)

if it's a bit tight, to improve fit you could get a seatpost that's taller and/or has more setback, plus maybe a longer stem, these would be extra cost and tbh halfords isn't where i'd have them selected/fitted (both are easy to fit diy)

is it hilly where you are? the bike has a 39t smallest at the front, if you are new to riding and, ahem, more generously proportioned, then you may find yourself grinding on long/steep climbs

unless it's urgent, i'd keep an eye on the secondhand market, ebay, the cycling weekly website classified ads etc., for around the same price you could get a better bike in the right size

The area is very hilly yes :P

I'm a big guy- but proportionate to my height haha. When you say grinding, which area are you referring too?

As to the urgency, ive been checking for 2nd handers for a while, but my craving is getting the better of me. I would really like the bike soon!

ovi wrote:

I'm 6'4" and use a Scott xl 58cm frame with no problems but did put on a longer stem.
Try using this:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR&SITE.CODE=RDB&bikeType=on&gender=M&units=cm

Thats reassuring to hear, with you being taller on a 58 frame.

rollemynot

Hi Gotjack, you sound just like me. I am just over 6ft 2' bought a tdf last summer, had a lot of seat post showing and had the seat quite a bit back on the rails. Got on fine as long as I was under 35 miles journey. I also live in a hilly area and didn't find the grinding to difficult. One word of warning though - tdf now sold and bought a Cube, You will be obsessed about your next bike within a few weeks. Welcome to the money pit world of road cycling................

Gotjack

Haha, great reply.

What were your issues over 35 miles?

Also can i ask which Cube you purchased? one that i noticed was the 2011 Cube Aerial Road Bike but it really was out of my budget

rollemynot

The frame is very unforgiving and the roads around me make the Paris - roubaix pave look like a bowling green. I got a Tesco 0% credit card and bought a 2011 GTC race in a size 60 frame. Done a 60 miler today with 3500 feet of climbing and I am desperate to go out tomorrow. All in all I think the tdf is a great place to start your adventure. Enjoy

rollemynot

Another bit of advice-order online for store pick up................ Enter code NUSAPR12 and get an extra 10% off your basket. However you have not saved £33, you just have something else to spend it on.........

loismustdie

It's difficult to give a definitive answer, but I would say the Carrera is almost certainly too small. I'm 6'3" and brought a 58cm Virtuoso a few years ago - if the geometry/sizing is the same (which it appears to be) you'll have the same problems I had, top tube too short, and the bar will be too low. When I bought mine, I only used it very occasionally (perhaps once a month) as I was still an MTBer. As soon as I decided to go full time on to the road, the Carrera quickly became too uncomfortable and I'd replaced it within a couple of weeks with a 62 cm Trek.

I think the Carreras are are quite 'small' 58s. I have 58cm BMC which is identical in size to my Trek and is much bigger than the Carrera.

I wouldn't rule out the Carrera, take it for a test ride if you can, only you can tell if you're comfortable on it, but do avoid buying something too small as it's definitely false economy.

Gotjack

Hi loismustdle.

Thanks, thats a really informative post. Im also switching from MTB and the low handlebars do concern me.


Can you link the Trek bike you purchased instead?

sd517

I own a 58cm 2009 Carrera TDF – just measured the top tube at 56 cm so it comes up a bit small. I’m only 5’10” – I bought it thinking I would grow a bit more and as a result of dubious sizing advice from Halfords when I was a complete beginner, but never did fit it so had to shorten the stem. Having done that it is just about OK for me, so if the geometry is still the same would expect it to be too small for you, even with adjustments to stem and seatpost. Does no harm to sit on one in Halfords to be certain but I imagine it will feel noticeably too small.

As has been said, think it is a good cheap introduction to road cycling and still enjoy it as a winter trainer and commuter (+1 for unforgiving frame though!). I’ve also upgraded to a Cube GTC – obviously a popular route!

Second hand ads in the classified section could be a good place to look – there are definitely some good deals to be had in there that represent better value than the Carreras.

loismustdie

Not sure how useful this will be - it was a 2007 Madone SL in 62 cm:

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/2007/archive/madonesl59

It's difficult to compare as it's not a compact (Lance doesn't like them apparently!)

What might be more useful is this link - the geometry for my current bike, a VN Astraeus. I'm 192 cm and the 60 cm is spot on for me with a 110 mm stem (although I'm slightly long leg/short body) - it might be useful to compare the measurements of the Carrera with this:

http://vannicholas.com/3/Astraeus/bike.aspx

However, do bear in mind, this is what suits me and may well not be right for you - comparisons like this are nowhere near as good as proper sizing advice in a decent bike shop.

Again, don't rule out the Carrera, if you can get a test ride and you feel comfortable, go for it. I really liked mine, it was a great bike for the money and only felt too small once I started racking up proper rides (50 miles +).