Little sizing question

markrulesok

Hi guys and girls
First post. Im after a bike, I want to ride it fixed/track so I hope i'm in the right section.

Basically, I am a shade under 6'1, and using the calculator at http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... E.CODE=RDB (which ive seen reccomended) it tells me I need a 57cm frame.

So, my question is, would I be better off with a 56 or 58?

Thanks everyone

BikeSwan

Allow me to put it this way. I'm 6'3" and I ride a 63cm. Its all about how long your legs, and arms are. I have very long legs so I ride a larger frame. The best way to know is to go into you LBS and try a few bikes out.

Ride hard

Very true.

Everyone's anatomy is different which will affect the frame sizes available to you that 'feel right'. Plus people also have different riding styles, take Vinokourov (boo hiss!)for instance. During the Olympics I read on here that he rides a 52cm Tarmac SL4 despite the fact he's 5' 10". I'm sure that frame size would typically be ridden by someone much smaller, but then again, he probably prefers an ultra compact frame.

Just to confuse the issue even more, another thing to look out for is the brand of bike because a 56cm in one brand is not necessarily a 56cm in another. Cube's a good example as my 58cm Peloton SL would be classed as a 56cm in other brand.

Go and test a few bikes to be sure.

Grill

Ride hard wrote:

Very true.

Everyone's anatomy is different which will affect the frame sizes available to you that 'feel right'. Plus people also have different riding styles, take Vinokourov (boo hiss!)for instance. During the Olympics I read on here that he rides a 52cm Tarmac SL4 despite the fact he's 5' 10". I'm sure that frame size would typically be ridden by someone much smaller, but then again, he probably prefers an ultra compact frame.

Just to confuse the issue even more, another thing to look out for is the brand of bike because a 56cm in one brand is not necessarily a 56cm in another. Cube's a good example as my 58cm Peloton SL would be classed as a 56cm in other brand.

Go and test a few bikes to be sure.

QFT

There are loads of good shops out there (no, not Evans) that will give you great advise on frame sizing for the different brands as well as fit you properly. Shops such as Epic Cycles offer fitting services which are free if you end up buying a bike (and at the cost of their bikes, it's hard not to). Try some out, we're all build differently.

markrulesok

Thanks for thw replies chaps. I'll try get a proper ftting.

However, the real question hasn't been answered. Lets say I would need a 57, is it easier to make a 56 roomier or a 58 smaller? My dad rides alot and he personally thought a compact frame could be adjusted betyer than a larger one, but I've also read the opposite.

Sorry for any typos, bus and phone makes fiddly typing!

Grill

It's much easier to make a smaller frame fit properly than one that is too larg.e. You can add a longer stem and seatpost as well as remove spacers. I've had a frame that was too large and it's not fun or comfortable.

markrulesok

thanks. thats as i thought. might chance a 56 then... sounds small for someone whos shade under 6'1 and fairly long legs but my dads 54 didnt feel too wrong... bmx background so kinda used to a little bike!