Pro versus Normal sizing

sebdangerfield

As per my other post, I'm looking at getting a Ridley Helium.

The sizing chart on one website has different sizes for pros v everyone else. Pro sizing is a smaller bike for a given height. https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/media ... s-2016.jpg

Any thoughts/experience on why this is? Difficulties normal folk may have with the "pro size"?

mrb123

Just go by stack and reach and ignore the rest of it.

lettingthedaysgoby

Pros want to get a ridiculously low/aero and stretched out front end, so they tend to use smaller frames with a huge saddle to bar drop and massive stems.

The rest of us don’t do this as it would hurt.

tom_down

Probably get away with Pro if you have really great flexibility and core strength

most people would go for the normal option

Bottom briquettes

The ‘pro’option will make the bike horribly ‘responsive’ ( twitchy ) for most people. Go for the normal option.

bondurant

No it won't. The pro and normal suggestions aren't for different frames, just suggested sizings depending on what type of rider you are.

sebdangerfield

Thanks for replies.

I still don't understand though! You can surely get just as low and longer with the size up.... Is it about having a loger stem or something?

pippi_langsamer-2

I've never seen that "Pro" vs "Normal", chart.

FWIW, I bought a Helium SLX recently, and after years riding another brands framesets in Large (56), found myself ordering a Medium in the Helium. Just went off stack n reach compared to my previous framesets.

Heliums do have much larger headtubes compared to my older frames, so I'm now "slammed" (as I believe da kidz sez)

trailflow

Bottom briquettes wrote:

The ‘pro’option will make the bike horribly ‘responsive’ ( twitchy ) for most people. Go for the normal option.

Horribly ? nah just the smaller frame size will have a shorter wheelbase and (sometimes) a shallower head angle (maybe a degree or half or less). Which would balance that out. The wheelbase will make the smaller bike feel more responsive but it won't be drastic.

a smaller frame (typically XXS/XS/S sizes) will increase the likelyhood of the tip of your shoes hitting the front wheel. This will happen when pulling away from side streets turnng at low speeds. So if you've got big feet it won't help there.

Stick to the normal sizng.

SebDangerfield wrote:

Thanks for replies.

I still don't understand though! You can surely get just as low and longer with the size up.... Is it about having a loger stem or something?

Bigger frame size has a longer headtube length. That means there is only so low you can drop the stem. Until it hits the head tube. Higher positioned riders are less aerodynamic. The pro's use smaller frames, to help get the stem lower (better aerodymics) and to get a shorter wheelbase (more responsive handling). With the combination of a longer stem length to help position their weight over the front end to aid climbing. Other benefits of smaller frames is they are stiffer and weigh less.

sebdangerfield

trailflow wrote:

Bigger frame size has a longer headtube length. That means there is only so low you can drop the stem. Until it hits the head tube. Higher positioned riders are less aerodynamic. The pro's use smaller frames, to help get the stem lower (better aerodymics) and to get a shorter wheelbase (more responsive handling). With the combination of a longer stem length to help position their weight over the front end to aid climbing. Other benefits of smaller frames is they are stiffer and weigh less.

Exactly what I wanted to know, thanks.

sebdangerfield

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

I've never seen that "Pro" vs "Normal", chart.

Here's the one I saw https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/media ... s-2016.jpg

Thanks for reply re your sizing, v.helpful. Happier going for the XS now.