New to cycling - advice required on frame size and which bike

[crackerjacker]

Hi

I am wanting to get into cycling and I have been looking at Halfords to get me started. I do not want to spend a lot at this stage as I do not know if I will take to cycling or not.

I have been looking at the below bikes:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-tdf-mens-ltd-road-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-sport-bike

I was going to purchase the Carrera as I am not sure the Boardman is worth twice the price for the casual user I will be. My main issue is the frame size......the size guides for my height of 6ft 2in for each bike shows:

Carrera - 54cm frame (this is the max size)
Boardman - 5ft7-6ft3 55.5cm frame
- 6ft1-6ft7 57.5cm frame

Is the frame size going to be a big factor when purchasing the bike as this may determine whether I will have to buy the Boardman instead of the Carrera for twice the price when I might never get into cycling seriously enough. Also, is a couple of cm really going to make a big difference?

Also, is their a big difference between the specifications on the bikes?

Thanks in advance

 

[S-Express]

Also, is a couple of cm really going to make a big difference?

It might mean the difference between you enjoying it or not. At 6ft2 I would be looking at 56cm frames upwards. I wouldn't restrict myself to Halfords either, if that's the only choice on offer. Your LBS probably also sells comparable bikes at similar prices.

 

[rugby bloke]

Having tried to ride a bike that was the wrong frame size and suffered the resulting discomfort I would say that getting the frame size right is vital.

 

[MichaelW2]

The critical dimension is reach, the length from saddle to bars.
You have to set the saddle to the right height and layback for you, but top-tube length is a good guide. 1cm is not a lot in terms of frame height, since you have a lot of adjustment, but it is for top-tube length. Stem length also factors in.

 

[fossyant]

54cm is way to small for you, that's my size and I'm 5'9". You are looking at larger frames 56-58cm

 

[vickster]

54cm is way to small for you, that's my size and I'm 5'9". You are looking at larger frames 56-58cm

Not so sure with Carreras? Don't they measure by seat tube. Agreed, 58cm top tube sounds close. I too am between 5'9-5'10 and ride bikes with a 54cm top tube

The Carrera will I think me no good regardless, they evidently only have small ones left (have you looked the end of line section of the Halfords site)

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/end-of-line-bikes?cm_re=SideNav-_-bikes-_-endoflinebikes

Find geometry plans for each bike and compare

Also, go to Decathlon and look at the Btwin Triban range

 

[vickster]

Having tried to ride a bike that was the wrong frame size and suffered the resulting discomfort I would say that getting the frame size right is vital.

Yep, thanks in part to a too big bike, I ended up with chronic tennis elbow which after 18 months of injections and physio needed surgery!

 

[crackerjacker]

Thanks for the speedy replies.

Looks like the carrera is out of the running then which is a shame as it's half the price of the boardman.

In that case...Is the boardman a good spec? I really have no idea what I'm looking at when it comes to gear and brake makes/models.

Do you think I would get better spec at a lbs for same price? Only one I know of is about 15 miles from me but I'm happy to go over if worth it. Suppose I could give them a call and see what they say

 

[fossyant]

Top tubes are usually similar sizes to the 'virtual' down tube size, so it's worth checking. Manufacturers quote both real and 'virtual' down tubs size, so you've got to be really careful. It's likely the Carrera is only 54-56cm top tube maximum. I suspect they have no 'large' frames available as there are only 51cm and 54cm available for most of the bikes.

 

[fossyant]

Take a look at a Decathlon if you have one near you.

Boardman's are a great spec for the money. Yes it's dearer, but the bikes are worth the upgrade. I've got a Boardman FS Pro MTB, and it's a heck of a lot of bike for the money.

PS It's got 20% off so is as cheap as these come.

 

[crackerjacker]

Thanks

What size top tuve will I need then?

 

[Nibor]

also look second hand your LBS may also have something used

 

[vickster]

Join British cycling if choose to buy from halfords. £35ish a year gets you 10% off everything in store. Plus legal and third party cover more importantly

Have you checked there isn't anything in
The classifieds?

 

[crackerjacker]

Thanks

I've taken a look at the decathlon site and found the below bikes. They are recommending a size 60 frame on the BTWIN. Again, no idea what I am comparing between these 2 and the boardman so any advice on the differences would be greatly appreciated. Also, are they easy enough to build from decathlon?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html
Here is the Boardman again http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-sport-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-sport-bike
I've checked the end of range bikes at halfords and only one at a store remotely close to me is this one which is available in 57.5 cm and the size guide insicates this is probably too small still.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/end-of-line-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike-2014
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/end-of-line-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike-2014

 

[cyberknight]

54cm is way to small for you, that's my size and I'm 5'9". You are looking at larger frames 56-58cm

Thanks

I've taken a look at the decathlon site and found the below bikes. They are recommending a size 60 frame on the BTWIN. Again, no idea what I am comparing between these 2 and the boardman so any advice on the differences would be greatly appreciated. Also, are they easy enough to build from decathlon?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html
Here is the Boardman again http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-sport-bike
I've checked the end of range bikes at halfords and only one at a store remotely close to me is this one which is available in 57.5 cm and the size guide insicates this is probably too small still.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/end-of-line-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike-2014

Halfords measure real seat tube for size rather than virtual top tube so the 54 is more liable to be a 56 , the baordmans are small listed as 51.5 but its a 54 , here is the old geometry charts for boardmans.