De Rosa sizing dilemma - Urgent

kingrollo
kingrollo Posts: 3,198
edited November 2017 in Road buying advice
I am about to pull the trigger on a de rosa idol

My current bike has a top tube of 535 and fits well

But de de rosa top tubes come in 529 or 543 - I am 5ft 8

At a recent bike fit Adrian Timmis said no longer than a 540 top tube.

So sensibly I go for the 529 top tube - but something is telling me to go 543 - I don't know if its just seems strange to be ordering small not medium !
«13

Comments

  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    Why would you ever compare bikes by top tube length?

    Different slopes and frame shapes make the measurement pretty meaningless.

    Even effective top tube isn't massively useful...

    How do the stack and reach measurements compare? They're the best ones for comparing bike to bike.

    But to answer your actual question, go smaller, always. Unless your existing bike is already particularly small....

    Much easier to size up a small frame with stem and seatpost than to try and shrink a big one, plus the frame will be lighter and stiffer.
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    How much did you pay Adrian Timmis to then ignore his advice?
  • cossington
    cossington Posts: 36
    If you had a bike fit with Adrian Timmins, what other dimensions have you got to work with (presumably reach, saddle to bar drop etc)?

    The top tube length can be mitigated by choice of stem (length and angle) more easily than the wrong head tube length, for example (eg if the head tube is too long, then there is little you can do, other than look for a track stem!).

    I would look closely at the Timmins data and check the other dimensions. The seat angle can affect the 'effective' top tube (ie slacker seat tube effectively reduces the top tube in front of the bottom bracket).

    A T is a very well regarded fitter, I'd look closely at his advice and follow it.
    If you are still unsure, why don't you call him?

    Don't rush such an important decision - get the right size or you will have a long time to regret it.

    I know there are some programmes available to check relative fit data onto set frames, hopefully someone else can provide links/ advice on that aspect.

    Good luck,

    David
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Whats the rush - will you even be using it until Spring ?
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    I cant wait - its up at a bargain price on wiggle !

    dECISIONS. DECISIONS
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Fenix wrote:
    Whats the rush - will you even be using it until Spring ?

    Errr - why won't he be using it until Spring?

    And yup - as above: call your fitter and ask.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    kingrollo wrote:
    I cant wait - its up at a bargain price on wiggle !

    dECISIONS. DECISIONS

    I got one :-)
    The sizing chart had me on the second smallest size, I got the smallest and wouldnt want it any bigger.
    Wiggle will let you return if the wrong size. I checked this with them as they didnt know the crank length, bar width etc when I asked and they only had one in my size and I didnt want to miss out.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    cld531c wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    I cant wait - its up at a bargain price on wiggle !

    dECISIONS. DECISIONS

    I got one :-)
    The sizing chart had me on the second smallest size, I got the smallest and wouldnt want it any bigger.
    Wiggle will let you return if the wrong size. I checked this with them as they didnt know the crank length, bar width etc when I asked and they only had one in my size and I didnt want to miss out.

    Ordered the 49.5 - 529 TT - after speaking to AT

    Bit of a bargain £1600 - Dura - Ace - calliper
  • cossington
    cossington Posts: 36
    I look forward to the pictures.

    Enjoy,
    David
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    kingrollo wrote:
    cld531c wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    I cant wait - its up at a bargain price on wiggle !

    dECISIONS. DECISIONS

    I got one :-)
    The sizing chart had me on the second smallest size, I got the smallest and wouldnt want it any bigger.
    Wiggle will let you return if the wrong size. I checked this with them as they didnt know the crank length, bar width etc when I asked and they only had one in my size and I didnt want to miss out.

    Ordered the 49.5 - 529 TT - after speaking to AT

    Bit of a bargain £1600 - Dura - Ace - calliper


    Wow - I paid £2,200 and thought it was cheap! At least the one I got is not in stock or Id be well miffed!!!
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    cld531c wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    cld531c wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    I cant wait - its up at a bargain price on wiggle !

    dECISIONS. DECISIONS

    I got one :-)
    The sizing chart had me on the second smallest size, I got the smallest and wouldnt want it any bigger.
    Wiggle will let you return if the wrong size. I checked this with them as they didnt know the crank length, bar width etc when I asked and they only had one in my size and I didnt want to miss out.

    Ordered the 49.5 - 529 TT - after speaking to AT

    Bit of a bargain £1600 - Dura - Ace - calliper


    Wow - I paid £2,200 and thought it was cheap! At least the one I got is not in stock or Id be well miffed!!!

    I wanted to try disc brakes TBH - but that was £2400 - I couldn't really justify the extra £800 - plus I can use my existing carbon wheels !
    Some places are selling the calliper frame for £1500 !
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    kingrollo wrote:
    cld531c wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    cld531c wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    I cant wait - its up at a bargain price on wiggle !

    dECISIONS. DECISIONS

    I got one :-)
    The sizing chart had me on the second smallest size, I got the smallest and wouldnt want it any bigger.
    Wiggle will let you return if the wrong size. I checked this with them as they didnt know the crank length, bar width etc when I asked and they only had one in my size and I didnt want to miss out.

    Ordered the 49.5 - 529 TT - after speaking to AT

    Bit of a bargain £1600 - Dura - Ace - calliper


    Wow - I paid £2,200 and thought it was cheap! At least the one I got is not in stock or Id be well miffed!!!

    I wanted to try disc brakes TBH - but that was £2400 - I couldn't really justify the extra £800 - plus I can use my existing carbon wheels !
    Some places are selling the calliper frame for £1500 !

    £1600 is a massive bargain - who needs disk brakes!!! What colour did you go for?
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    I recommend the 543
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    I got the 54.5 in gloss white.

    Thanks for the heads up. Not sure the Mrs will be as happy as me, but worth the risk at that money!
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    Suspect there wont be many left after today :-)
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    Ill rephrase that - all sold out!!!!!!!!!!!
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    I recommend the 543
    Apparently they have all gone ....either that or wiggle pulled the deal.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    There's already one on ebay with a £3.4k buy it now :lol:
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    Ryan_W wrote:
    There's already one on ebay with a £3.4k buy it now :lol:

    Probably havent even taken delivery of it yet!!!
    Enjoy yours when it arrives - I got white too
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Silver and red for me. Id primed the mrs i was considering £2400....so an easy sell at £1600
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Well done all carpetbaggers
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    Well done all carpetbaggers

    I was there first (which cost me an extra £600 so not sure anything to be proud of)!
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    Maybe worth starting a Black Friday Deals thread in this road buying section
  • cld531c
    cld531c Posts: 517
    Good idea!
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Anyone else been refunded???!!!

    F**king fuming.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Ryan_W wrote:
    Anyone else been refunded???!!!

    F**king fuming.


    Did your order get cancelled?

    Someone in Hotukdeals reported the same: https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/32355206

    Wiggle are really going downhill lately.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    So far been refunded by PayPal, heard nothing from Wiggle.

    Disgusting behaviour from them so far.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Ryan_W wrote:
    So far been refunded by PayPal, heard nothing from Wiggle.

    Disgusting behaviour from them so far.

    Yep, very poor, but I am not surprised after my last support experience with them. I hope that at least you get some sort of explanation for this though.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    Ryan_W wrote:
    Anyone else been refunded???!!!

    F**king fuming.

    :) It might have been a mistake, or a stock mistake.

    Either way, you can fume all you like but it's best to look at their Terms and Conditions before you do.
    Ryan_W wrote:
    So far been refunded by PayPal, heard nothing from Wiggle.

    Disgusting behaviour from them so far.

    Doesn't sound that disgusting at all, I expect you'll get an email saying it was out stock or a stock error. I ordered some socks from them a while ago and it happened, well that was an out of socks error.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 27,757
    "A contract between us for the purchase of the goods will not be formed until your payment has been approved by us, the prices have been verified, and the order has been processed and dispatched. "

    Bit off if it was on their email and was a misprice. It did seem too good to be true given that you effectively got the frame for free.

Categories