CX bike sizing for road use
nibnob21
Posts: 207
I'm looking to pick up a new bike that will be used for wet weather / winter commuting. Lead times are horrendous so it will actually be for next season. Assume my commute is 100% tarmac.
I've been eyeing up the Ribble CX AL as it ticks every box for what I'm looking for, the main things being:
£1-£1.5k
Hydraulic discs
Single chainring
Mudguard mounts
Cyclescheme compatible
Road(ish) frame geometry
My commute is pretty flat and I'd say I'm a reasonably fast road rider, try to average around 20mph. I don't really get out on the bike at the weekend so my philosophy is I may as well make my commute count. I was looking at CX bikes as the frame geometry isn't too far off endurance road, but there's a lot more availability with single chainring and mudguard mounts than road specific offerings...other than the Whyte Wessex One really.
Based on Ribble's crude guidance I fit nicely in the middle of the range for the Large (5' 10 1/2"). But the geometry of my road bike of several years kind of sits between the Medium and Large. I know there's more to it, but below is the difference in stack (S), reach (R) and effective top tube (T) compared to my road bike.
Medium: S -10mm, R -1mm, T -15mm
Large: S +9mm, R +2mm, T +5mm
I'm tempted by the medium so as to make up a little for the longer wheelbase (988 vs 1011 vs 1020). I can stick a slightly longer stem on and move the saddle back a little to compensate for the -15mm top tube difference. Overall the large actually corresponds closer to my current road bike frame...just everything's a little more stretched/bigger. I feel like there's probably more scope with components to have a smaller frame and adjust up, than have a larger frame and adjust down.
Sorry, information overload. I'm probably overthinking it.
Opinions?
I've been eyeing up the Ribble CX AL as it ticks every box for what I'm looking for, the main things being:
£1-£1.5k
Hydraulic discs
Single chainring
Mudguard mounts
Cyclescheme compatible
Road(ish) frame geometry
My commute is pretty flat and I'd say I'm a reasonably fast road rider, try to average around 20mph. I don't really get out on the bike at the weekend so my philosophy is I may as well make my commute count. I was looking at CX bikes as the frame geometry isn't too far off endurance road, but there's a lot more availability with single chainring and mudguard mounts than road specific offerings...other than the Whyte Wessex One really.
Based on Ribble's crude guidance I fit nicely in the middle of the range for the Large (5' 10 1/2"). But the geometry of my road bike of several years kind of sits between the Medium and Large. I know there's more to it, but below is the difference in stack (S), reach (R) and effective top tube (T) compared to my road bike.
Medium: S -10mm, R -1mm, T -15mm
Large: S +9mm, R +2mm, T +5mm
I'm tempted by the medium so as to make up a little for the longer wheelbase (988 vs 1011 vs 1020). I can stick a slightly longer stem on and move the saddle back a little to compensate for the -15mm top tube difference. Overall the large actually corresponds closer to my current road bike frame...just everything's a little more stretched/bigger. I feel like there's probably more scope with components to have a smaller frame and adjust up, than have a larger frame and adjust down.
Sorry, information overload. I'm probably overthinking it.
Opinions?
0
Comments
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Best way would be to sit on one if possible. I have an XL Focus Izalco and when I sat on a Large Focus Mares I just knew it wouldnt suit me. I ordered an XL Mares frame and built it up and the main difference between both bikes is the stem length. Saddle height has stayed the same as the road bike as its whats comfortable for me.0
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I'd go medium, as you say, you can always tweak the stem length longer if you want to be stretched out a bit more (no need to tweak the saddle, you set that to work for your leg position to the pedals).================
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
If it is purely for road / commuting then maybe worth considering a Kinesis R1. I use a CX/Gravel bike as a winter bike and I think they work well, but I also use it off road in the summer.
If the Stack on the ribble is excluding spacers, then I'd go medium.0 -
I'm 6 foot tall and ride a Ribble CX to commute/CX race and ride generally off road. I have a large one but it's slightly on the large side for me. I'd usually ride something with a 56cm top tube.
I'm using a 90mm stem on my Ribble as IMO you want the reach to be a little shorter on an off road bike for better control compared to a road bike.
Based on my experience I'd go medium given that you're a little shorter than me.0 -
prcody - Can't find one to sit on unfortunately. COVID times means bike shops aren't exactly rushing to let everyone in!
N0bodyOfTheGoat - Absolutely right about saddle position, I was clearly having a bit of a brain fart. Plumb line from the knee and all that.
singleton - I'd looked at the Kinesis but settled on the Ribble as it's several hundred pounds cheaper and similar spec. I was also put off by the wide bars (I'm ideally suited to a 40cm bar). Interesting point on the stack, I'll have to message Ribble and find out!
joe_totale-2 - Good to hear from someone who has one. Just to confirm is it the AL or Carbon frame you have? As the frame geometry is different. My road bike has a 560mm top tube, the large CX is 565mm, the medium is 545mm.0 -
Sorry, should have said that mine is an AL one.0
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Cool, good to know. Sizing aside how do you find it in general? Seems hard to beat price wise.joe_totale-2 said:Sorry, should have said that mine is an AL one.
Other than the Kinesis R1 the only other bike I really considered was the Boardman CXR 8.9 but was put off by the weight and press fit BB.0
