Cinelli Saetta

secretsam

So...wondering about a new bike

I need a compact frame as I'm an odd shape - 5'9" (173cm) but short inseam - 77cm or so - currently riding a 54cm CAAD8, which with a virtual TT of 545mm is a bit long, so fitted a shorter stem. But standover is a little...tight... (more like :shock: if it ever comes to the "crunch")

Quite fancy a Cinelli Saetta, got good reviews and think it's a decent frame? Looks nice too, but that's not really the key issue!

Any thoughts? Budget up to maybe £1500

bmxboy10

viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12930133

secretsam

Thanks - I like the detailed response

Any comments on sizing and the need for a compact frame?

cereal killer

Hi, Yes go for the medium, I'm same height 174cm (5ft 9in) and I wish I'd gone for the medium. I'm currently selling my 2012 Cinelli Saetta in Large, Centaur grouppo and Zondas. All mint - for £1250. Its not that it feels to big, but when I sit on a standard 54 (medium) I feel more in control. The large Cinelli is actually a 55cm frame. At 5'9" we are in fact the prefect size for a 55cm. But I prefer bikes to feel on the small side with larger stems and higher seatposts - I'm from the school of BMXers and MTBs.

Fergster

Im 5ft 9 in height too, would you still suggest the medium frame size?

bmxboy10

I am 5ft 10 and the large is perfect, enough seat post on show and the reach is just right. I have the saddle set back a bit but I have a longish body I think. Personally I would not go medium if I were you. BTW I am no racer.

cereal killer

Fergster wrote:

Im 5ft 9 in height too, would you still suggest the medium frame size?

Dunno really, it depends on your style. On a medium/52cm you'd get a little toe/wheel overlap on a 55cm which is
the same size as giants medium/large, i don't have an issue.

Being right between sizes, both work! Which is why I'm in two minds about selling mine!

jotko

Standover is not going to be an issue as its a compact frame.

There is only 0.5cm in ETT between the M and L so that is pretty much in the noise, although not sure what stem the L ships with (M is a 100mm).

There is however 2cm more headtube on the L so you are going to be much more upright - that may or may not be what you want.

I am 2" shorter and I am on an M - it is setup like this (have lost a couple of spacers since this photo was taken):



I could have made a S or M fit. I would go M if I was you unless you want to be sat more upright

Fergster

My Fuji is a 54cm frame with more traditional geometry and it feels spot on. I can't find the geometry specs online though to compare the two

Fergster

Looks like I'm in between sizes. The effective top tube of my Fuji is 550.2 with a head tube length of 129. Hmmmmm decisions

galatzo

Medium at 5ft 9" defo.
I had a small and 5ft 7" which was spot on.
Have you had a proper bike fit ?
Saddle position is were you should start, get that right first then you can determine toptube and stem length.
Also watch for reach on the bars as this can vary from 70mm to 90mm and 20mm is a lot of reach difference particularly for us down at the smaller end of the bike scale !

Fergster

No I've never had a proper bike fitting. I've always been pretty lucky to be able to achieve a good fit on all my bikes bar a ribble which was much too big for me.

Fergster

Ok wiggle are now recommending a large frame size because of my slightly longer reach. Darn puts that idea of their saetta sprint out the window. I was liking that blue frame too :-(

thespanishadam

5ft9 is medium all day long.

You can always buy a longer stem if need be.

A chap I cycle with is 6ft plus and rides a Large frame Cinelli.

Fergster

I guess the only way to find out is to try one. Just would hate to take the risk and later on wish I'd went for the larger frame. The larger frame does seem to come close to the measurements of my current bike though its a standard frame and not compact.

jotko

Fergster wrote:

The effective top tube of my Fuji is 550.2 with a head tube length of 129. Hmmmmm decisions

Fergster wrote:

The larger frame does seem to come close to the measurements of my current bike though its a standard frame and not compact.

The reach can be sorted by chaninging stem, but the headtube cannot.

The large has nearly 4cm more headtube, you will be sat right up compared with your Fuji.

Get the medium unless you want a sit up and beg!

galatzo

Your a medium mate, somebody nearby show him a medium Cinelli please.
Wiggle do 30 day test ride offer (you have to pay for it first).

fleshtuxedo

Get the medium, the top tube is only 5mm less than your Fuji. You can correct with stem length or bar choice but you wouldn't even notice that anyway.

Fergster

Get the medium unless you want a sit up and beg![/quote]

Hehe I definitely won't be doing any begging lol.

Unfortunately I think the saetta sprint is too heavily discounted for the test ride offer. I would probably have to go for the 2013 model and I don't think it looks as nice in black. Very un italian.

A LBS had a few saettas on their website. I had hope to try one out but they only order them in and therefore hold no stock of them which is a PITA.

jotko

If you are in Bath/Bristol area you can come and have a look at my medium Saetta.

Fergster

Thanks Jotko for your very kind offer unfortunately I'm miles away from the Bath area

threepin

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd post as there will undoubtedly be others, like me, scanning for info on frames regardless of how current the topics actually are.

This was my first 'compact' road frame. I've ridden Bianchi and Look frames (the former, steel, and the latter, all carbon, but early 00s so conventional geometry) and these days I'm a Cinelli guy primarily. I have two Cinelli MASH track bikes in the shop and have been riding a Cinelli Xperience the last few years. I went to the Xperience, an aluminum frame similar to the tack offerings, because after some back injury issues, I found my Look frames were a hair too big. An oversized frame, even with stubby stem and seatpost, is something that may not bother you when you're young, but as you get a bit older, and as you have spinal problems, you start to really notice it. I have a 5th lumbar that likes to slip and a hip that is prone to dislocation, all stemming from track and field injuries sustained in high school. Now, in my early 40s, it's become a thing. I still do centuries (both american and metric) and lots of climbing , and I've done week long rides on track frames. So I'm a fit enough guy. The point I make, however, is that spinal health can creep on anyone, regardless of general fitness. I'm not up on all the marketing rationale for the compact road frame designs of the modern era, but one distinct positive from my experience is that they are somewhat small, relying on the stem and post length to complete the geometry. That means you have a lot more flexibility to adjust your ride position through componentry that you just don't have if you bought a conventional geometry frame. I always bought frames that were nominally sized to me, based on height and inseam, though I didn't always have a fitting, having built the bikes up myself. But some manufacturers run large, others small. My Looks were my nominal size, but a hair too long. The Cinelli Xperience fit the bill.

But what's this? On a Saetta, the geometry indicates a medium at 48cm? How is that possible?

Now having received the bike and adjusted it to my needs, I have to say, it's true. I'm 5'-9" and this is the right fit. It's counter-intuitive to me, but it works.

Others popping into this forum looking for info on Saetta sizing might find this reassuring.

secretsam

If it's any help, I'm the OP and I bought a medium (54.5 TT). It fits me like a glove and is a joy to ride. I have more seat pillar showing than I expected, as I went for a bike fit and it turned out my saddle was 2cm too low! :oops:

There's a post knocking around in Your Road Bikes showing my bike pre-bike fit, with lots of people slagging off my 'bar placement

Anyway, I'm 175cm in new money, 80cm inseam, and could not be happier with my bike.

Unless it had some better wheels. And Athena. And a nicer saddle...etc