Frame Size

[Cycleops]

Don't feel bad, we've all done it, caught up in the heat of the moment. I have one that's really too big for me but I didn't pay much for it. Same problem as you but I find its manageable and after all its a Bianchi so you can be assured of a truly superlative bike and ride.

 

[Illaveago]

As has been said we have all bought a cycle which may have been a bit too big but have managed to find a way round the problem . My Raleigh Criterium has the saddle as low as possible for me to ride it . The reach to the handlebars is a bit of a stretch . I could fit a shorter stem but that would change it from it's original condition .
Could you put inserts into the heels of your shoes just to lift you up a bit of wear shoes with heels ?

 

[Milkfloat]

Problem solved.

Spoiler: image containing blood

 

[Glasgow44]

I'm going to give serious consideration to taking it back to the shop.

Thanks everyone for their replies

 

[PhilDawson8270]

How would you have any recourse with the shop?

The bike wasn’t miss sold. Both retailers told you they recommend a 50. You tried a 53 and decided it was fine against their advice.

I’m unsure what the retailer have done wrong, or could have done differently.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Your not an idiot at all, I've been missold bikes before.
Certain shops will replace a bike within a month or so if your not happy like Evans.
I'd get in touch with them and ask, say you didnt realize when you bought it.

But the store recommended a 50, despite not having it in stock. It’s hardly been miss sold, and I don’t think he can argue that he didn’t realise as they had told him it was too large.

 

[vickster]

My Giant road bike is 47.5 and my BMC is 51

Giant? I thought you’d bought a Bianchi? Forget the manufacturer ‘size’, how do the actual frame measurements compare?

 

[vickster]

Do I have any recourse with the bike shop? Surely they have a duty of care to not sell a customer a bike that is too big?

Nope. Evans for example offer 30 day trials, if not happy they’ll exchange (not refund)

Presuming you’ve ridden it and bought in good faith I’d expect you’re stuck with it. If you’ve not ridden it, fitted pedals etc you could ask if they’ll exchange IF you think it’s too big even if you change the stem, seatpost maybe if it’s got layback (and it’s not the last in stock)

 

[vickster]

Yes the bike feels comfortable and nice to ride

What’s the problem then?

 

[Glasgow44]

Giant? I thought you’d bought a Bianchi? Forget the manufacturer ‘size’, how do the actual frame measurements compare?

I did buy a Bianchi but I have a Giant road bike too as well as a BMC.

 

[Glasgow44]

I've just sat on all 4 of my bikes at home:

BMC Team Machine - 51 frame.
Giant Defy 2 - 47.5 frame.
Bianchi Intenso Potenza - 53 frame.
Specialised Sirrus Sport - small frame (don't know the exact size).

On all of these bikes, my man bits touch the frame (a bit less so on the Specialised Sirrus Sport). My man bits aren't that big either!

My feet and legs are all at the same position when on the pedals too; maybe there's not too much difference in the sizing?

 

[DCBassman]

In that case, you're good to go!
But waaaay too much information!

 

[Vantage]

How is the frame size determined? Some manufacturers measure differently to others. Centre bottom bracket to mid top tube,
Centre bottom bracket to top seat tube,
Centre bottom bracket to top of top tube and others. Then you have standover height which is different if a sloping top tube is involved.

 

[Illaveago]

Perhaps cycle shops should have an electric cow fence that is adjustable to different frame heights. So that customers could try before buying ?

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Go fo the manufacturers sites and get the actual frame dimensions rather than an arbitrary frame size and see how they compare.