Is this bike the right size for me?
ellenmeira92
Posts: 6
I just bought my first road bike and did some bike fit myself based on information available on the Internet.
After 20min riding, I started having neck and shoulder (traps) pain. I feel a slight discomfort in that area and I find myself having to stretch to reach the handlebars.
Interesting point: The store didn't have a smaller size, and the salesman said this size was good for me. I felt comfortable when I tried on the test track for a minute. I can still return the bike and order online the one size smaller without testing it (this is a 58 and the smaller would be a 56).
After 20min riding, I started having neck and shoulder (traps) pain. I feel a slight discomfort in that area and I find myself having to stretch to reach the handlebars.
Interesting point: The store didn't have a smaller size, and the salesman said this size was good for me. I felt comfortable when I tried on the test track for a minute. I can still return the bike and order online the one size smaller without testing it (this is a 58 and the smaller would be a 56).
Is this bike the right size for me? 10 votes
This bike is too big for you, return it with no doubt.
20%
2 votes
This bike has an ok size, the smaller would probably be better, maybe you should return it.
30%
3 votes
This bike is the perfect size for you, keep it, you will get used to it.
30%
3 votes
Go to a professional bike fit, it is the only way.
20%
2 votes
0
Posts
It's a little difficult as you are trying to balance the bike at the same time, so you may not be adopting a natural relaxed position as a result.
What length is the stem? Maybe you could try going 1 or 2 sizes shorter but preferably no shorter than 80mm as that can lead to handling issues
The 58cm has the same geometry as my Cube, I'm ~178cm tall with short ~83cm cycling inseam legs (this is not the same as trouser inseam, it's a larger measurement unless you like walking on your trouser hems or wearing platform shoes
My saddle height, centre of bottom bracket to saddle top (following seat tube and measuring on a vertical plane is ~73cm).
My stem is in -6 degree position (it arrived in +6 position) sitting under all standard round spacers on the steerer these days.
I'm no bike fit expert, but to me it looks like you might have the seat post a fraction high and if I'm seeing it right, you might benefit from flipping stem to +6 degree (or you need to learn to hold bars in various positions with more elbow bend).
The geo of the 56cm isn't much different, 3mm less frame reach and 19mm lower stack (BB to top of conical spacer in Cube range).
https://www.cube.eu/en/2020/bikes/road/road/attain/cube-attain-greynflashyellow-2020/
I could fit the 56cm now, but it's a racier position with the lower stack, which I wasn't confident of my weakened lower back coping with.
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo
I could not find the stem length, this is the bike btw: https://www.cube.eu/en/2020/bikes/road/road/attain/cube-attain-greynflashyellow-2020/
I measured myself (center of the head tube to center of the stem) and I got ~105mm - 108mm, not sure if this is correct.
Some context for you - I cycle about 8-10,000 km a year and have done since I was about 25 (I'm 47). Every year when I start to up the mileage come springtime, I get a sore back and neck. You are starting from zero.
How can I tell the degree angle of my stem? I will do some research about this (everything is very new for me), but here is what I currently have.
I don't like "reach" at all, because it is mis-named. How far you "reach" is really to do with the difference between saddle and bar, and also how much saddle-to-bar drop there is.
So, I'm also 178cm - roughly 5'10". I have an effective top tube of 55 cm and a 110mm stem, which is bang on the 56 cm cube sizing.
How tall are you?
http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php says that flipping the slim to +6 (pointing more upwards) will raise the bars by 22mm and shorten the reach to the bars by 7mm for the same relative position of the stem compared to the round spacers.
The more round spacers under the stem, the higher the bars will be and the shorter the reach to the bars will be. If I moved all spacers to below my stem, it would raise the bars 29mm and shorten the reach by 9mm.
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo
Might have to flip the stem or even buy a shorter one to give you a more personalised fit.
Other than that the pictures show you as being tense in your upper body. Some of that will be down to you supporting yourself in the images, but also because you are in a position your body isn't used to.
Would you go to the gym for the first time and do 30 minutes of training and expect not to have a few aches and pains? It's exactly the same thing on a new bike, it'll take a month or so for your body to adapt, so keep the rides short, but frequent and the aches and pains will dissipate as your core muscles become stronger.
Similar pictures of the 58:
Standard grip riding:
Aero:
My view is that you could be fitted properly to either a 54 or 56cm frame, by adjusting the saddle on the rails and/or changing the stem. 56cm might be the better place to start given the discomfort you’ve described.
Like others say, the saddle height on the bigger bike is too high, it's affecting your stance. At 177cm the 56 should be about right looking at the geometry of it. Photos aren't a good way of doing it. (The 58 has an Effective Top Tube of 575mm which is simply too long for someone 177cm ).
If you are new to it, even getting the 56 expect plenty of aches and pains if you're new to it. Cycling takes a bit of adjusting to.
Get the 56 over the 58. There could be a case for the 53 working better too but it's too difficult to tell over the internet