Frame Size for 5'11" ?

Westerberg
Westerberg Posts: 652
edited March 2010 in Road buying advice
Hi,

I've used the Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator, input my measurements. It's trying to tell me I should be buying a bike with a top tube length of between 53-54?? I'm quite sure I'd need at least a 56cm. I'm 5'11"(and a half) with a 32" inseam?! Can this be right ( I know I should try before buy etc...). [/url]

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,172
    You are a perfect 56, congratulations. 57 is a better match for you than 54-55
    left the forum March 2023
  • weeve
    weeve Posts: 393
    Agree 56 is right...then choose headtube/fork/steam reach and youre away
  • Westerberg
    Westerberg Posts: 652
    You are a perfect 56, congratulations. 57 is a better match for you than 54-55
    thanks, I thought so!
  • SCR Pedro
    SCR Pedro Posts: 912
    I am the same size, and I would go for a 54cm.

    My TCR is 55.5, and I still find it a little on the large size, but that might be more to do with the stem being quite long.

    Pedro
    Giant TCR Advanced II - Reviewed on my homepage
    Giant TCR Alliance Zero
    BMC teammachineSLR03
    The Departed
    Giant SCR2
    Canyon Roadlite
    Specialized Allez
    Some other junk...
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    That's online calculations for you! The best thing to do is go get yourself measured by someone who knows what they're doing ....
  • weeve
    weeve Posts: 393
    Im a 54 and 5'10. Could ride a 56 with different stem etc. So have to say definately wouldnt go for 54... over and out :)
  • brin
    brin Posts: 1,122
  • Chris James
    Chris James Posts: 1,040
    You are a perfect 56, congratulations. 57 is a better match for you than 54-55

    I am your height (slightly longer legs though).

    My summer bike is 56 seat / 56 top and my winter bike 57/57
  • Guz
    Guz Posts: 45
    I'm 5'10" , 32.5 inch inside leg, I red a 54cm race bike and a 56 winter trainer.

    I have grown to hate the 54cm frame, I can feel the lose of power on it.

    My advice is as above, get fitted by someone who knows what they are doing.

    And most importantly try before you buy.....you may prefer the compact style or you may prefer to be more stretched out.

    I prefer the stretched out position...and traditional flat top tube.
  • carrock
    carrock Posts: 1,103
    Westerberg wrote:
    Hi,

    I've used the Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator, input my measurements. It's trying to tell me I should be buying a bike with a top tube length of between 53-54?? I'm quite sure I'd need at least a 56cm. I'm 5'11"(and a half) with a 32" inseam?! Can this be right ( I know I should try before buy etc...). [/url]

    I'm exactly the same height, with a slightly longer inseam, and I ride a 58 roubaix, albeit with a slightly shorter stem

    My competitive fit calculator also suggests I should have a 54 top tube

    I'd say a 56 would be a good starting point for you
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Same height and I ride a 56. Could go 58 on some frames. 120 stem on mine.

    Depends on the frame.
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    Go to the Canyon website and try their calculator. Ignore their frame size numbers (they are bigger than other makes) but look at the measurements on the geometry page.

    You could ride a 56 or a 54. The main difference will be the height at the front and how low you want/can be. Im 5-10.5 and ride a 56 Cervelo and a 54 Allez both have the same reach. But my inseam to the ground is 34".
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    5'10.5" here with a 32.5 inside leg and I ride a 54cm bike. I;ve got a shortish torso you see.

    56cm feels too big for me, best bet is to go and ride some
  • Wamas
    Wamas Posts: 256
    edited March 2010
    See this thread:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12687496

    The most important measurement is the effective top tube, not the seat tube by which bikes are given. The top tube is dependant upon your upper body length and the length of your arms.

    Also depends on the drop from saddle to stem you are comfortable with.

    I am 5'11 and have 34" inseam to the ground, and have a 56cm Specialised which because of the 56.5cm effective top tube, is too long, I have had to fit an 80mm stem with a compact bar. I would fit a 56cm Trek Madone which has a 55cm effective top tube, but instead went for a 54cm Scott CR1 which has a 54.5cm top tube, using a 100mm stem and compact bar, this gives me a drop on both bikes of 10cm from saddle to bars.

    After a bikefit in the www.bikefit.com rig at the LBS, the geometry I was given if I was to have a frame custom built for me, was a 53.5cm top tube, and a 57cm down tube.
  • Wamas
    Wamas Posts: 256
    That's online calculations for you! The best thing to do is go get yourself measured by someone who knows what they're doing ....

    +1
  • rjh299
    rjh299 Posts: 721
    I'm 5ft 11.5in with 35in inseam. 57cm Giant's way too big, 58cm Trek bit too big but ok with shorter stem, 56cm Cannondale felt good on test ride and hopefully will fit nicely. Also, 54cm Felt was like riding a kids bike.
    Try before you buy, measurements online mean little to nothing.
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    56cm is most likely although you may need to change the stem.. Try it though.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    5 11 here and ride a 54 cannondale.

    Ffs though go and test different sizes.
  • what brakes
    what brakes Posts: 328
    Im 5'10" inseam 33"

    i had a 54frame with an 90 stem which was suggested by lbs but felt cramped swapped stem to 110. which felt better. then changed frame to an effective top tube and with the 110 stem it feels much better.
  • abr1966
    abr1966 Posts: 54
    I'm no expert at all but found that trying bikes was the best thing to do for me. I'm 5ft 11 but with long body and short legs....i ended up with a large planet x frame and im really pleased with the fit as it's very comfy for me. The technical calculator would say medium but because of my anatomy the large made much more sense. Depends on what you are buying but really worth getting fitted up properly....good luck.