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Cinelli Saetta

secretsamsecretsam Posts: 5,039
edited December 2014 in Road buying advice
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... :lol: (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
It's just a hill. Get over it.

Posts

  • bmxboy10bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12930133
  • secretsamsecretsam Posts: 5,039
    Thanks - I like the detailed response :)

    Any comments on sizing and the need for a compact frame?
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • cereal killercereal killer Posts: 32
    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. :)
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    Im 5ft 9 in height too, would you still suggest the medium frame size?
  • bmxboy10bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    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. :lol:
  • cereal killercereal killer Posts: 32
    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!
  • jotkojotko Posts: 457
    Saetta-Race-Cut.png

    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):

    sw5mza.png

    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
    strava - http://app.strava.com/athletes/1217847
    trainerroad - http://www.trainerroad.com/career/joeh
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    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
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    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
  • galatzogalatzo Posts: 1,295
    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 !
    25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    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.
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    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 :-(
  • thespanishadamthespanishadam Posts: 341
    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.
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    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.
  • jotkojotko Posts: 457
    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!
    strava - http://app.strava.com/athletes/1217847
    trainerroad - http://www.trainerroad.com/career/joeh
  • galatzogalatzo Posts: 1,295
    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).
    25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
  • fleshtuxedofleshtuxedo Posts: 1,853
    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.
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    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.
  • jotkojotko Posts: 457
    If you are in Bath/Bristol area you can come and have a look at my medium Saetta.
    strava - http://app.strava.com/athletes/1217847
    trainerroad - http://www.trainerroad.com/career/joeh
  • FergsterFergster Posts: 21
    Thanks Jotko for your very kind offer unfortunately I'm miles away from the Bath area
  • threepinthreepin Posts: 1
    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.
  • secretsamsecretsam Posts: 5,039
    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 :lol:

    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
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
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