5 foot 5 inches - will 52 frame (with 54 top tube) be OK?

[Stokely]

Hello,

There's a road/track bike I really like, and I can only find it in 49cm (with 52 top tube) in another country, or 52 cm (with 54 top tube) in my own country. I know I should try it on, but unfortunately don't live anywhere near either.

Do you think I might get away with the 52, or it would definitely be too big? The 49 I would need to buy from abroad & pay lots of postage...

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Stokely]

i think it's 'normal' geomatry if that helps - i.e. the 'effective' measurements for ST and TT are the same as the actual ones

 

[vickster]

Smaller one I would say. There is little worse than a too big bike, you can't do much to make them smaller. And you could injure yourself (I had chronic tennis elbow which needed v painful surgery due in part to a too big bike).

It could cost much more in the long run if the wrong size

I'm between 5'9 and 5'10 and ride road bikes with 54cm TT. A friend of mine is around 5'6 and rides a 51cm Cannondale

 

[Crackle]

It depends on your own proportions. Normally I would say don't buy it unless you can try it but if circumstances conspire against you, the next best thing is to read around bike fit and take some measurements and then adjust them to your style /preference. Try this website

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

Do read the advice. Based on it, I'm riding the right size bike so it should give you a big clue if the 52 or 49 is the right one. Smaller you can always make bigger but bigger is normally harder to adapt.

 

[vickster]

What bike is it? Do they provide at least a guide which should give you an idea

 

[HarryTheDog]

As a fellow 5ft 5 person I would not go for a 54cm Top tube it would be way too big for me. It does depend on your body shape though. I am fairly long in the leg for my size so use a 50cm ( cyclocross) or 52 cm ( road use) top tube. There are always bikes for sale so wait for one that fits.

 

[slowmotion]

I think a 54cm frame would be too big for you. I'm 5'11" and have the same size.