what size frame 58? or smaller?

foo-fighter
foo-fighter Posts: 113
edited April 2011 in Road beginners
hi all
Im sure this has been asked a million times before but im really stuggling with this. Im new to road bikes and have my eye on a specialized allez 24 2011 model . i've been in to evans and tried various frames and sizes mostly 58cm frames, although im 6'1 with a 34 seam almost all of the 58cm frames made me feel very raked out and like i was perched on the bike. is it just because im new to road bikes or should i maybe go a size down. The last thing i want to do is get this wrong and end up with a poorly fitting bike.
Thanks and once again sorry for asking something im sure has been asked a million times

Si

Comments

  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    58 would *normally* suit someone 6'1.

    And yes, it may be because you're not used to being on a road bike.

    What do you mean by "raked out"?

    The frame might be the right size for you, but you may need a different length stem to suit you.
  • foo-fighter
    foo-fighter Posts: 113
    what i ment by raked out is that i seem to be stretched very far forward with quite alot of weight on my wrists, more than i would think comfortable for a day in the saddle. once again is this purely due to the fact that i havent ridden a boad bike in a fair few years?
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    I'm a shade under 6'2" with a 34" inside leg and ride a 58 Trek, so you're on the right track for a starting point.

    The best thing to do is ask the shop for a test ride of a few sizes. Any half decent shop should let you do this. Also try a couple of other manufacturers bikes in the same sizes, you might find that they fit better.
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  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    This all means nothing I come in at 187 cm and have a bikefit measured inside leg of 924mm fit a 58 and have done so for 20+ years. However a certain American recently retired pro is 5'10" and he is on an identical machine.

    Get properly measured and then you will know your size. No-one can do that on line

    Trying it on doesn't work either and is a well known tactic to get rid of the bike on the shelf
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  • MrIP
    MrIP Posts: 91
    I have found Specialized road bikes come out on the long side you might find if you fit a 58cm Trek but a 56cm Specialised as I do. If you are new to it you really need to be meaasured because its a combination of Top tube, Head tube, stem lenth and the angles that get you correct positioning.

    Only saying as others have but hope it reinforces it !

    Mrip
  • foo-fighter
    foo-fighter Posts: 113
    thanks for that Mrip i think you may have hit upon something there as almost all the bikes evans have let me try have been 58cm trek's and as i say it has felt like im really stretching to reach the bars on them and if you find specialized bikes come out a bit on the long side then this could make the problem worse for me. I did try a 56 cm giant that if im honest did feel a little more comfortable, i didnt feel like i was over stretching to reach the bars evans have now got me a 58 cm allez in to try out today so we will see
    thanks
    Si
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Down the Road wrote:
    This all means nothing I come in at 187 cm and have a bikefit measured inside leg of 924mm fit a 58 and have done so for 20+ years. However a certain American recently retired pro is 5'10" and he is on an identical machine.

    Get properly measured and then you will know your size. No-one can do that on line

    Trying it on doesn't work either and is a well known tactic to get rid of the bike on the shelf
    That's basically it, nothing more to be said.
  • Swansea_Dave
    Swansea_Dave Posts: 73
    I'd say there is no substitute for actually trying a bike for size. But, if it helps, I'm 6'1", with a 33-34" inside leg and ride a 58cm Allez (a 2007 Sport with full Tiagra groupo). The size feels just perfect to me.

    My personal set-up is with the standard stem flipped up so that the bars are slightly higher, and its incredibly comfortable. I never get any neck ache even after 75+ miles, and I spend a lot of time in the drops.
  • rogerthecat
    rogerthecat Posts: 669
    Have a look HERE it is quite important that you get the right size bike.

    You will need the Top Tube length.
  • CasperCCC
    CasperCCC Posts: 14
    I'm a little over six foot and ride a 58. The Allez is slightly more aggressive than some other bikes. Perhaps try a 58 Secteur? It's a slightly more relaxed geometry. That's what I ride, and it's incredibly comfortable. If there's too much weight on your wrists then you need a more upright riding position, rather than a smaller bike - you could ask the bike shop if they could flip the stem to make the bars a bit higher.

    But def check out a Secteur. About the same price as an Allez, but designed more for distance than sprinting. (Not that it's slow, though.)

    But compared to a MTB then you will feel stretched out at first, though, whatever road bike you ride. You get used to it pretty quickly. I now much prefer it.
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Do you have shortish arms, perhaps? You could try adjusting your saddle position - fore, aft, but really a proper fit is best.
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • Shaggy_Dog
    Shaggy_Dog Posts: 688
    I'm 5'10 and ride a 51cm Eddy Meckx, 54cm Giant, 56cm Cannondale, 57cm LeMond or 58cm Trek. Just saying "I'm 6'1 so I ride a 58cm" or whatever is nonsense as all the bands measure up differently.
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