Another Sizing query - Boardman Team Carbon (sorry!)

[new2cc]

Hi was just looking some advice - or should I say reassurance!

I got myself up a team carbon but its a size Large according to my frame measurements and referencing the website. I'm 5ft 9.5 so probably fall into the size medium bracket according to sizing guides. When I tried the bike it did seem to be too far of a stretch with the standard stem (which at 120mm is 20mm more than my current bike) so anyway I've a shorter stem and have adjusted the saddle/stem that I now have a very similar riding position to my current bike which I've been on for a few years (Cube 56cm frame - medium).

Anyway just curious if theres any other reason to worry that bike shouldnt suit just cos of not conforming to the 'standard' sizing guidelines. From what I can see there is plenty of adjustment in saddle height up or down, forward and back and the reach issue is resolved with a shorter stem. So I'm basically happy with the bike - probably the only niggle is the bars seem to be quite narrow around 40cm which is a couple narrower than my cube but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I know sizing will be a very personal preference and if I was an inch taller I prob owuldnt be worried as I'd be in the 'Large' bracket. Just wondering what you guys thought?...

Cheers

 

[Doyleyburger]

I have a friend who bought a team carbon in a medium. He is 5'10 and has constant back pain when riding. Can't help thinking he should have gone large and I think this would cure this problem.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Hi was just looking some advice - or should I say reassurance!

I got myself up a team carbon but its a size Large according to my frame measurements and referencing the website. I'm 5ft 9.5 so probably fall into the size medium bracket according to sizing guides. When I tried the bike it did seem to be too far of a stretch with the standard stem (which at 120mm is 20mm more than my current bike) so anyway I've a shorter stem and have adjusted the saddle/stem that I now have a very similar riding position to my current bike which I've been on for a few years (Cube 56cm frame - medium).

Anyway just curious if theres any other reason to worry that bike shouldnt suit just cos of not conforming to the 'standard' sizing guidelines. From what I can see there is plenty of adjustment in saddle height up or down, forward and back and the reach issue is resolved with a shorter stem. So I'm basically happy with the bike - probably the only niggle is the bars seem to be quite narrow around 40cm which is a couple narrower than my cube but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I know sizing will be a very personal preference and if I was an inch taller I prob owuldnt be worried as I'd be in the 'Large' bracket. Just wondering what you guys thought?...

Cheers

If it fits you, then it's fine. But if you are not happy with the bars, you need to change them. FSA Omega or ITM Alutech compact bars can be had pretty cheaply on ebay..

 

[DooDah]

I have a medium and I am 5'8. Even then it was a bit stretched for me so changed the 120mm stem for a 100mm and it now fits perfect. Looking at the Boardman and Cube size guides, the 56cm Cube is about the same as the medium Boardman.

 

[cyberknight]

if its a 120 stem then its a large according to the specs on the boardman website
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon.html

 

[DooDah]

if its a 120 stem then its a large according to the specs on the boardman website
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon.html

Not on a 2013 model.

 

[cyberknight]

Not on a 2013 model.

That geometry and sizing has been the same for all models for at least 2 years , i had to check it when i bought my 2012 boardman because i needed a small and couldnt find a shop that stocked them.This is why it riased alarm bells when people started talking about 120 mm stems on medium bikes.

 

[DooDah]

That geometry and sizing has been the same for all models for at least 2 years , i had to check it when i bought my 2012 boardman because i needed a small and couldnt find a shop that stocked them.This is why it riased alarm bells when people started talking about 120 mm stems on medium bikes.

I have the full spec. in front of me for my medium Boardman bought from Wiggle in 2012. It states a 120mm stem. I had to buy a new 100mm Deda stem as they refused to change it as both Boardman and Wiggle stated it was standard spec.

 

[DooDah]

That geometry and sizing has been the same for all models for at least 2 years , i had to check it when i bought my 2012 boardman because i needed a small and couldnt find a shop that stocked them.This is why it riased alarm bells when people started talking about 120 mm stems on medium bikes.

Hey @cybernight, you are right about the spec, but only on the Boardman website. I have just looked back through my correspondence with them and they stated that the spec. on their website is just recommended spec. (the frame sizes obviously don't change. They went on to say that the bikes are built up by Wiggle or Halfords and they may tweek the spec. slightly. My boardman actually came with different tyres as well (better ones so I did not complain). I suppose with Halfords you can check everything before buying, but with Wiggle, you get what is sent.

 

[cyberknight]

I have the full spec. in front of me for my medium Boardman bought from Wiggle in 2012. It states a 120mm stem. I had to buy a new 100mm Deda stem as they refused to change it as both Boardman and Wiggle stated it was standard spec.

I would suggest wiggle is wrong as i took the spec from the boardman website which as stated has not changed in over 2 years .
Can you please post ? as i have looked on the wiggle site for a 2012 boardman and they list on their size guide as the large having a 120 and the medium having a 110 .
Unless of course you bought a MTB ? they do have a 120 mm stem on a medium but thats a whole different kettle of fish
EDIT just read your post . the bikes comes boxed all they have to do is put the handle bars straight , attach the front wheel, put the pedals on and check the gear indexing .
Sounds like either wiggle fiddled your bike or sent the wrong one as they would not be sent a bike that differed from the spec, tyres are a completely different matter as it does not affect the bikes geometry and they would be on the bike as it came from the manufacturer.
Upshot is as long as your happy who cares i think we are splitting hairs I tried a longer stem on mine orginally before going back to the supplied stem as any bike has slightly different geometry and you might need to tweak it .

 

[DooDah]

I would suggest wiggle is wrong as i took the spec from the boardman website which as stated has not changed in over 2 years .
Can you please post ? as i have looked on the wiggle site for a 2012 boardman and they list on their size guide as the large having a 120 and the medium having a 110 .
Unless of course you bought a MTB ? they do have a 120 mm stem on a medium but thats a whole different kettle of fish
EDIT just read your post . the bikes comes boxed all they have to do is put the handle bars straight , attach the front wheel, put the pedals on and check the gear indexing .
Sounds like either wiggle fiddled your bike or sent the wrong one as they would not be sent a bike that differed from the spec, tyres are a completely different matter as it does not affect the bikes geometry and they would be on the bike as it came from the manufacturer.
Upshot is as long as your happy who cares i think we are splitting hairs I tried a longer stem on mine orginally before going back to the supplied stem as any bike has slightly different geometry and you might need to tweak it .

If my memory serves me correctly, Wiggle did ask my height and inseam when I ordered, so maybe they changed the spec. to meet that, but if that is the case it did not work for me. FWIW I live abroad, so you effectively have to do a bit of minor bike building (attach stem, attach handle bars, attach wheels and skewers, attach saddle). Boardman did state they allow their retailers to spec. the bikes though. I guess in my case it is just the hazard of buying online. Chuffed with it now though.

Back to the OP, I still think a medium would be a better fit, but if you have tweaked a large as you said, then there should be no problems. Enjoy.