Cervelo R5 sizing - help!!!

londoncommuter

I'm agonising between a 51cm or 54cm so please please help. My current bike, which I'm happy with but really don't know if is perfectly set up has (with 2.5cm of spacers below the bars) a reach of 38.0cm and stack of 55.5cm.

The 54cm has almost identical values without any spacers at all. The 51cm is 36.9cm/53.0cm standard but by my reckoning would be roughly 36.1cm/55.5cm with the same 2.5cm of spacers. I guess I could make up the lost reach by using a 11cm or 12cm stem rather than the 10cm I have on my current bike?

As I see it, with the 54cm I wouldn't need any spacers, making the front more solid (and look cooler). With the 51cm I'd more easily be able to drop the bars in future if needed without buying a negative rise stem.

Maybe I'm over thinking this......going to throw a coin soon! Please help.

By the way I'm 5' 8.5'' with an 31.5'' inseam.

Crispyapp

I'm 5ft 9" and I bought a 54. I don't intend to use any spacers on the head tube and I'm hoping once its built its gonna be a perfect fit.

saprkzz

I am 6ft and selected for the 56cm, i use 110mm stem.

I wouldhave thought the 54cm would be the right size for you, can you not get advice from a retailer that stocks Cervelo?

I was really nervous as I thought i needed a 58cm, but was strongly advised I would be on a 56cm. Since getting it home was so glad i went for the 56.

meesterbond

If your current Stack and Reach are 555mm and 380mm then these are spot on for a 54cm R5.

londoncommuter

My current stack and reach, with spacers, is the same as a 54cm without spacers. I just wondered if I could get away with the smaller 51cm, using the same spacers and maybe a 1cm longer stem.

As I could probably fit both easily I didn't know which one to go for. Going smaller would give me more scope for tinkering in the future if needed e.g. take spacers out or get a shorter stem. Going for the 54cm would look neater though but if it did turn out to be a bit too large I'd be stuck.

Different shops have said different things and with these all coming as framesets and flying off the shelves there isn't much chance to try one before buying. I did briefly sit on a 51cm R3 on a turbo and it felt "fine" but without comparing to a 54cm it's hard to tell.

saprkzz - it worries me that you're over 3'' taller than me and only on one size up from a 54cm. I know it's not as scientifc as reach and stack but what inseam are you?

Crispyapp

londoncommuter wrote:

My current stack and reach, with spacers, is the same as a 54cm without spacers. I just wondered if I could get away with the smaller 51cm, using the same spacers and maybe a 1cm longer stem.

As I could probably fit both easily I didn't know which one to go for. Going smaller would give me more scope for tinkering in the future if needed e.g. take spacers out or get a shorter stem. Going for the 54cm would look neater though but if it did turn out to be a bit too large I'd be stuck.

Different shops have said different things and with these all coming as framesets and flying off the shelves there isn't much chance to try one before buying. I did briefly sit on a 51cm R3 on a turbo and it felt "fine" but without comparing to a 54cm it's hard to tell.

saprkzz - it worries me that you're over 3'' taller than me and only on one size up from a 54cm. I know it's not as scientifc as reach and stack but what inseam are you?

No he's right. I have always ridden a 56 frame and I went to JD cycles in ilkley before buying mine, they have a built up 54 in the shop you can test if u like. Just looking at it I knew it was the right size and I never even sat on it. I wouldn't go sml and then space it up, you will make a beautiful traditional frame look like a shed.... I bought my 54 and now before I buy a stem and chainset I'm going to have a bike fit to see what my ideal sizes will be. I already know what I think I need but it's nice to be sure.

londoncommuter

Many thanks for the tips and I certainly don't want to ruin the look by going to small! Saprkzz & Crispyapp - you both went one size smaller than you initially thought. Was there something about the R5 that made you do that?

saprkzz

londoncommuter wrote:

Many thanks for the tips and I certainly don't want to ruin the look by going to small! Saprkzz & Crispyapp - you both went one size smaller than you initially thought. Was there something about the R5 that made you do that?

The reason why I thought I would need a 58 was, i also have a Moda stretto in a 56cm, and it feels small, i should have got it in a 58cm, i have to use a 140mm stem and stack spacers. It has a short top tube and lower head tube.

The cervelo R5 is totally different in geometry. It has a high head tube, almost a sit up and beg position and a long top tube. I have to have a shorter stem on the bike, but it makes my fit perfect. The moda makes my legs ache after 40 odd miles, where I feel like I have rolled off the sofa on the R5 at the end of rides.
The advice was from the shop regards to sizing when i bought it.

I am going for a Pro bike fit for my xmas present to get it perfect.

I have a 34" inside leg

Crispyapp

londoncommuter wrote:

Many thanks for the tips and I certainly don't want to ruin the look by going to small! Saprkzz & Crispyapp - you both went one size smaller than you initially thought. Was there something about the R5 that made you do that?

Tbh I went off the sizing from cervelo. The 56 was looking like I might feel a little stretched and the 54 sounded right. After I saw the 54 built in the shop I knew it was right. Like I said I've never even sat on 1. But now I have the frame you can make tiny adjustments everywhere else, crank length, stem length, seat post height etc etc... This is why I'll be having a pro bike fit before I buy the stem and cranks. I have a 32" inside leg. So going off what where telling you I'm sure you can see a picture building here. I think it's safe to say Saprkzz and I are on the same page so they say....

richievet

i went for the 51cm- i'm 5ft7in with a 30in inside leg.. i managed to try an r3 in both 51 and 54 cm.. the 54cm with a 90mm stem and the seat pushed forward it felt stretched, although not uncomfortable. The 51cm fitted like a glove. I had a probike fit and it indicated the 51cm was the one to go for.. in the end i could happily ride either but i went for a 51cm ...it definately feels more racey in riding position

Evil Laugh

Think about the handling as well, weight distribution and wheelbase are probably a more important consideration than whether to have 20mm spacers or not.

For eg I have a Tarmac. I'm 179cm tall. I could, should according to Spesh, ride a 56cm frame. I have a 54 with 35mm spacers and it handles like a dream. The 56 feels like a tugboat in comparison. Longer stem and shorter wheelbase on the 54 gives so much more control and a tighter, snappier feel out of the saddle.

Stu517

I also went for a 51. Im 5'8 and 30inch inside leg.

Fits great. It does feel stretched out in comparison to my last bike, but thats just a trait of Cervelo.

SorinLupu

londoncommuter wrote:

Many thanks for the tips and I certainly don't want to ruin the look by going to small! Saprkzz & Crispyapp - you both went one size smaller than you initially thought. Was there something about the R5 that made you do that?

@londoncommuter I found your post and I have the same dilemma here. I am 177 cm with 82 cm (32" ?) inside leg and I cant decide 51 or 54. Right now I have a 54 size frame but more appropriate to 51 Cervelo size. I was curios what you had chose in the end.

Thanks.

ShutUpLegs

Stu517 wrote:

I also went for a 51. Im 5'8 and 30inch inside leg.

Fits great. It does feel stretched out in comparison to my last bike, but thats just a trait of Cervelo.

It's stretched out because of the seattube angle. Top tube is 531 which will make it feel longer.

paulo76

Sorry to dredge up old issues but I’m currently in the same quandary between a 51 and 54cm.

How did everyone get on after their purchases?

I’m 5,9 32.5cm inseam. Currently riding a 54cm bike with a 54cm tt and 100mm stem. It feels a little stretched where the 54cm cervelo is a 54.8cm would seem too stretched and the 51cm sounds good but the head tube could be too small.

londoncommuter

Nice to see this is an issue that can run and run!

I only kept the R5 for a single ride but was happy the 54cm was the right way to have gone. Hasn't the geometry changed on these since the 2012 model though? I thought they reduced the head tube on the latest iteration?

harry-s

Get a bike fit before you buy it. Most fitters should be able to dial the R5 geometry into their jig and let you know exactly what frame you'll need, along with stem length, seat height etc. It's not a cheap buy, so worth getting it right.

londoncommuter

Harry-S wrote:

Get a bike fit before you buy it. Most fitters should be able to dial the R5 geometry into their jig and let you know exactly what frame you'll need, along with stem length, seat height etc. It's not a cheap buy, so worth getting it right.

Fair point. At the time of starting this thread, the frames were half price and flying off the shelf so it was a mad panic to choose. The retailers with stock also weren't madly keen to invest time or money in sizing advice and some wouldn't even sell you a frame unless you bought full RRP groupsets from them. Where are the bargains these days?

paulo76

I’m actually looking for the r3 which has I believe the same or very similar geometry to the r5 for the past 3 years. The same issues apply though. Hopefully going to sit on both sizes tomorrow to see. I’ll happily swap a stem, bars and seatpost to get a better fit.

I’d had a look at a trek Edmonda yesterday too they only had a 54cm in stock which felt too long with a 90mm stem so this is in a similar dimension ballpark. Trek however were completely un willing to alter one component. They said my only option was the project one. Poor service imo. £5000 for a bike which doesn’t fit you right...?

pauly69

New R3 (2018) indeed has very similar geo to the previous gen although still has tweaks e.g. BB drop - however stack and reach are identical (certainly for a 51). R5 has gone more aggressive with a lower front end. So in that respect the R3 and R5 are now (2018 models) less comparable to each other.

FWIW I'm about 171cm tall, and happy with a 51 and a 90mm stem. I started with a 25mm setback seatpost but have changed to about half that. I wouldn't like a 54, it'd be too stretched.