Buying very first Road Bike and...

dkoor

...need an advice!
I've spent this season riding MTB but now I want to switch to Road Biking as I already did about 80% of the rides on asphalt anyway. So why not go for a dedicated road ride?

Anyhow, living in Croatia has some limitations when it comes to buying a new bike.
I can't properly try out a bike in test conditions, there is lack of bikes anyway.
So I narrowed it pretty much to this:

Author A5500:
http://www.author.eu/bikes/2012/a-55-2012-en/

Specialized Allez:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/ ... midcompact
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/ ... midcompact

Bianchi Impulso:
http://www.bianchiusa.com/archives/2012 ... pulso-105/

The thing I mainly want to ask you is choosing the right size, so I hope you can help me there a bit.
I've only tried Bianchi 59 and 61cm.
59 feels comfortable while 61 feels a bit stretchy... haven't "tried" others... basically I can only "try" to stand over the bike...
Friend has taken a few pics of me standing over those two bikes and I must say on pics both fit ok, 61 even better visually so now I don't know what to think.

My Specs:



Thanks for any help!

smidsy

Very difficult to advise over the net. Add to that different makes quote and measure sizes differently and the differences in bike frame geometry and it all gets way too difficult to compare apples with apples. (as an example my CAAD is a 54cm and my Basso is a 56cm, yet they both fit. The CAAD is a traditonal frame where as the Basso is a compact race frame).

Only way for sure is to get a leg over them and test, but if that is not possible how about ringing the manufacturers and discussing your measurements?

dkoor

smidsy wrote:

Very difficult to advise over the net. Add to that different makes quote and measure sizes differently and the differences in bike frame geometry and it all gets way too difficult to compare apples with apples. (as an example my CAAD is a 54cm and my Basso is a 56cm, yet they both fit. The CAAD is a traditonal frame where as the Basso is a compact race frame).

Only way for sure is to get a leg over them and test, but if that is not possible how about ringing the manufacturers and discussing your measurements?

I think I will do that.
Never really imagined this to be that hard to choose...

I think I've narrowed my problems... I'm almost 188cm but my legs are a bit on the shortish side, while my torso and arms are lengthy... and also 187-188cm is on the edge on many manufacturer fit/size charts...

pippi_langsamer-2

I certainly doubt you need to go over 58cm for most manufacturers, but as mentioned, things can vary somewhat.

I'm 183cm and in the past have ridden:

56cm S-Works
56cm Scott Addict
M/L Giant TCR Advanced

Now on "Large", Parlee Z5

Top tube and head tube length are obv more important than seat tube length in most cases.

dkoor

Thanks guys.
That reassures me on I've thought.
Meaning I'm on the good way to get myself a good bike that will fit me .

61cm Bianchi just felt a bit stretchy and 59cm (TT horizontal 575mm - Seat tube c-t 590mm) felt much better, it's just that immediate feeling when you sit on the bike and grab the "horns".

Anyway, I think/feel that Author classic geometry may suit me even better than sloping 59cm Bianchi (which already felt nice), in size 54 (yeah they have weird sizing), TT horizontal 578 and Seat tube c-t 585.



I feel my horizontal (effective or whatever it should be called) Top Tube size is somewhere between 575 and 580 maybe a milimeter or two more. Seat tube c-t also shouldn't be over 590 maybe 595 tops.

My friend suggested me a few things - it's all good when you look at the numbers you are confident that you can "fit on that" but when you try it out it more often that not shows that you need a size down. Sometimes even two sizes down.
You can fix shorter top tube with a bigger stem but in most cases you can't really fix longer-than-it-should-be top tube.

And judging by my very limited experience so far and your input, I think he is right.
It really is invaluable when someone can point you in the right direction, especially as this whole business about road bikes isn't all that easy to get it right the first time.
I feel MTB's are quite easier to choose, I never really considered anything except L and XL in 90% cases (manufacturers).
In road bike world these sizes differ wildly.

Also there is one new moment in my bike buying story... there is a chance that I will get to see/choose some second hand bikes from a local road bike club... a fine bikes, not worn out machines (I hope). So I may even get my paws on a class or two better bike than I initially thought I would. I'll see and will post if this goes through, and I wont rush anything 8) .