Is my frame too big?

Gpfanuk

Brand new to all this and have bought my first road bike, the cheap and cheerful triban 3 (cue the remarks!). I am a whisker undersix feet tall and after sampling various frame sizes settled on the 60" version. I have been out several times for gentle 15-20 mile rides and have encountered no aches or pains as yet. My concern is that I am taking part in the Wiggle Cheshire Cat (62 mile version) towards the end of March and after reading several posts I am starting to think I have bought a bike that's too large! Any advice/comments would really help. :?

Pross

It's hard to know as body proportions vary but a 60cm does sound too big. Unless you are very oddly proportioned I would say a 56 or 58cm would be more normal for your height but I don't know what the sizing of the Tribans is like.

As for comments on the bike, you won't get any negatives on here as that bike is probably the most regularly recommended bike in that price range on these forums and seems to have a very good reputation.

A picture of you on the bike with your one leg at full stretch will give a better idea on the sizing.

Gpfanuk

Long torso and average size legs but I'll try to get a picture uploaded as you suggest.

aleslie22

It might be as I am 6 foot 1 and ride a 56cm and I think I am fairly average proportions.

bobones

You'd have probably been better off with the 57, but the long torso works in your favour. If you're feeling too stretched then you can fit a shorter stem.

kilo

The triban sizing seems a bit odd I'm just over 6'1 and I ride the 63 triban, in reality this is nearer to a conventional 58cm bike (about a 58 ctc seat tube and c57 ctc toptube), so a triban 60cm may not actually be that far off for you. I don't have a really low front end and long seat post on mine (so there is room for manouvre with the headset spacers) and it's turned out fairly similar in fit to my decent ribble and my very decent Roberts. I did however think the stock triban had a very long stem on it, the 63 one was 13 cm's so I binned that for a 11cm one. If your bike fits (saddle height, bar height and stem length) and is comfortable I wouldn't worry about the frame size too much

prhymeate

kilo wrote:

The triban sizing seems a bit odd I'm just over 6'1 and I ride the 63 triban, in reality this is nearer to a conventional 58cm bike (about a 58 ctc seat tube and c57 ctc toptube), so a triban 60cm may not actually be that far off for you. I don't have a really low front end and long seat post on mine (so there is room for manouvre with the headset spacers) and it's turned out fairly similar in fit to my decent ribble and my very decent Roberts. I did however think the stock triban had a very long stem on it, the 63 one was 13 cm's so I binned that for a 11cm one. If your bike fits (saddle height, bar height and stem length) and is comfortable I wouldn't worry about the frame size too much

I'm 6'4" and have the 63 triban yet I'm almost certain I'd buy a smaller size when I next upgrade. My lower back tends to ache after about 25 miles and I already have a shorter handlebar stem.

ShutUpLegs

I'm going to say yes

lotus49

Gpfanuk wrote:

Brand new to all this and have bought my first road bike, the cheap and cheerful triban 3 (cue the remarks!).

You mean the remarks made by so many people on this forum that the Triban 3 is good value and a great way to start cycling on a budget?

letap73

Gpfanuk wrote:

Brand new to all this and have bought my first road bike, the cheap and cheerful triban 3 (cue the remarks!). I am a whisker undersix feet tall and after sampling various frame sizes settled on the 60" version. I have been out several times for gentle 15-20 mile rides and have encountered no aches or pains as yet. My concern is that I am taking part in the Wiggle Cheshire Cat (62 mile version) towards the end of March and after reading several posts I am starting to think I have bought a bike that's too large! Any advice/comments would really help. :?

You have done 15-20 miles with no aches and pains which would suggest you are actually fairly comfortable. Try longer distances and see how you feel. At the end of the day fit is very personal - A friend of mine has a 57 top tube and is only 5ft5inches - yet the bike causes him no problem! A 60 is huge for someone just shy of 6ft but it seems to be working for you.

kilo

I'm 6'4" and have the 63 triban yet I'm almost certain I'd buy a smaller size when I next upgrade. My lower back tends to ache after about 25 miles and I already have a shorter handlebar stem.

Imho if your saddle is at the right height and the bars at the right distance and drop, the size of the frame in between these points isn't, for general riding, going to make masses of difference to your comfort. An outrageously large or small frame may have poor handling traits but I would suggest it may not be the cause of your back ache. (and also being a back ache sufferer I share your pain and hope it clears up)

mart478

I have the (nearly as) cheap and cheerful Triban 5. I'm your height (6') and settled on the 57cm frame in the shop. It feels plenty big enough for me, but I'm all legs with a shortish body so maybe that's why.
As mentioned above, if you're comfrotable on it then I wouldn't worry too much.

smidsy

A picture with you aboard would help us to criticise (sorry I mean advise).
.

inkz

You should judge based on your riding instead of posts on a forum.

When I bought my bike I went through the same process. I was fitted by the shop but was convinced my frame was too big. I've got a 36" inseam which makes for an interesting saddle height. I put a shorter stem on rode it for about 3 months and was getting aches and pains, put the longer stem back on and actually found I was more comfortable stretched out.

Try doing more miles and see how you feel.