Bike Sizing

mtbjunkie08

Hi,

I have recently discovered that I have a negative Ape Index, my total armspan is 3 inches shorter than my height, I am 6ft1" with a 33inch inseam.
This would explain why I am still uncomfortable on my 57.5cm Trek 1.2 2014. I fitted a shorter 80mm stem with a 20degree rise but I still cannot reach the top of the hoods without stretching so I end up riding with my hands about 1-2 inches further back from the hoods or on the tops for comfort. This is obviously not ideal because I cannot reach the brakes in an emergency.

This has prompted me to start looking at other bike/frame geometry. I thought I would have a look at a smaller frame hoping that the frame reach would be shorter. Unfortunately after looking at the geometry charts for all the main manufacturers and smaller independent ones (cube/giant/trek/specialized/boardman/ribble etc) even a smaller frame (56cm) is only 5-10mm shorter in the frame reach, which I am quite sure will not be enough for me to reach the hoods comfortably even if I fitted a shorter stem.

I know its always best to go and sit on a bike to try it out and I still intend to do so but I would really appreciate any advice from someone who may have similar body proportions to me.

tia,

Andy

bbrap

Can't help on specifics, but would a women's specific frame fit better (no I'm not taking the piss), I believe they have a shorter body/leg ratio in the main.

kajjal

You could try shorter reach handle bars if you check the reach. My old bars were 100mm reach but on my new bike they are only 75mm. That would potentially save you 25mm, and with a 10mm shorter frame a total of 35mm or about an inch and a half. Flipping a stem into the upright position further reduces reach but does raise the bars a bit. Check the web for stem calculators.

mtbjunkie08

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19727334#p19727334]Kajjal[/url] wrote:

You could try shorter reach handle bars if you check the reach. My old bars were 100mm reach but on my new bike they are only 75mm. That would potentially save you 25mm, and with a 10mm shorter frame a total of 35mm or about an inch and a half. Flipping a stem into the upright position further reduces reach but does raise the bars a bit. Check the web for stem calculators.

I did look into this but my Trek already has compact bars (about 85mm) and so do most modern bikes now.

northcliff66

Forget the measurements, forget the bike size.

First go for a Guru bike fit at Ten-Point. The machine moves as you pedal and eventually it become very clear what configuration works best for you. The machine then spits out which bikes fit you, and how to set them up to get it spot on, i.e. which stem, and, spacers, crank length etc.

Very eye opening. It has given me an excuse to buy four new bikes.

keef66

Sounds like your frame might be too big then.

I'm similarly proportioned but at 5'6" on a smaller scale; long legs / short torso. I need my saddle higher than my son does, despite the fact he's 2 or 3 inches taller than me.

I have a Scott CR1 which has a shorter than average top tube, 80mm stem and compact bars.

Resorting to smaller frame sizes means a greater saddle to bar drop, which invariably means flipping the stem.

kajjal

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19727347#p19727347]northcliff66[/url] wrote:

Forget the measurements, forget the bike size.

First go for a Guru bike fit at Ten-Point. The machine moves as you pedal and eventually it become very clear what configuration works best for you. The machine then spits out which bikes fit you, and how to set them up to get it spot on, i.e. which stem, and, spacers, crank length etc.

Very eye opening. It has given me an excuse to buy four new bikes.

The bike guru fit is a good idea, i was between sizes and it simulates various stem sizes and positions. The bike i ended up buying has the exact fit i was after and no concerns over choosing the wrong bike as you can try any size.

mtbjunkie08

OK since posting this I've sat on a few more bikes in a smaller size. Boardman Team Carbon in Medium 53cm seat tube (56cm in 'old' geometry) and the large 55.5cm seat tube (58cm old geometry), both have slightly shorter toptubes that my current Trek so I think may be a better fit although it was hard to tell because the massive long 130mm stems on them and no pedals.

I've also sat on a Giant Defy 1 2015 in M/L (53.5 cm seat tube) this also felt a good fit and was told anything larger would be too big. This had a 100mm stem and still felt a little too stretched so I'm thinking an 80mm stem on this should be about right.

What are peoples opinions on these bikes?:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.1/19187/77294/

dj58

Can't tell you anything about the Boardman other than it has sportive geometry so will be more upright and is all carbon, were as the Defy has an Aluxx SL frame and hybrid carbon fork. The Defy also has endurance geometry, If you feel stretched on the Defy M/L I suggest you also try the Med.(50cm) which has a 54.5cm HTT plus 100mm stem.

mtbjunkie08

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19731354#p19731354]DJ58[/url] wrote:

Can't tell you anything about the Boardman other than it has sportive geometry so will be more upright and is all carbon, were as the Defy has an Aluxx SL frame and hybrid carbon fork. The Defy also has endurance geometry, If you feel stretched on the Defy M/L I suggest you also try the Med.(50cm) which has a 54.5cm HTT plus 100mm stem.

Thanks for the input but I was aware of all the differences in frame materials and geometry, I meant are there any owners of these bikes that could give a comparison on overall performance.

dj58

I have a 2013 Defy 0 in medium, my first road bike and find it comfortable, the geometry suits my needs, I have never ridden a carbon bike so can't say how it would compare to the Boardman. I use 25mm tyres and latex tubes and tyre pressures appropriate to my weight and find this also helps with ride comfort.

StillGoing

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19731282#p19731282]mtbjunkie08[/url] wrote:

OK since posting this I've sat on a few more bikes in a smaller size. Boardman Team Carbon in Medium 53cm seat tube (56cm in 'old' geometry) and the large 55.5cm seat tube (58cm old geometry), both have slightly shorter toptubes that my current Trek so I think may be a better fit although it was hard to tell because the massive long 130mm stems on them and no pedals.

I've also sat on a Giant Defy 1 2015 in M/L (53.5 cm seat tube) this also felt a good fit and was told anything larger would be too big. This had a 100mm stem and still felt a little too stretched so I'm thinking an 80mm stem on this should be about right.

What are peoples opinions on these bikes?:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.1/19187/77294/

I can't offer you anything particularly about those bikes but; if you're between frame sizes (even towards the top end of the scale), I'd always go for the smaller size as it is easier to make a small frame fit comfortably than a big one. If there's a bike you like and really want, but the only frame size for you is at the limit of your reach, I'd forget it. You'll end up where you are now compromising comfort.

darkhairedlord

its no good sitting on bikes, you have to ride them.
Go and try lots of bikes, write down the model and size of all of them and how well they suited you.
Then get some graph paper or use a drawing package and lay up the stack and reach measurements.
You should see a pattern emerge as to what is right for you.
then buy the one that's prettiest but has a geometry to suit.

mtbjunkie08

Thanks for all the input guys, on paper the Medium Giant Defy looked too small, but thinking about it now it might be worth me trying it.

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19731430#p19731430]darkhairedlord[/url] wrote:

its no good sitting on bikes, you have to ride them.
Go and try lots of bikes, write down the model and size of all of them and how well they suited you.
Then get some graph paper or use a drawing package and lay up the stack and reach measurements.
You should see a pattern emerge as to what is right for you.
then buy the one that's prettiest but has a geometry to suit.

Unfortunately most my local bike shops dont allow you to test ride them.