Short legs and long body, so what sized frame

[buzzy-beans]

I am planning to buy myself a road bike on which I intend to do some quite fast road work (well fast for a 68 year old!).

Currently I ride a flat bar hybrid but my new road bike will definitely have drop bars etc.

My problem is that I have shortish legs at 30.5" and a long/tall upper body to make me 5' 9" tall.

So what sized frame should I be looking for?

Many thanks

 

[bonzobanana]

Is this you? I would imagine you would want the largest frame you can get away that is still comfortable for your leg length because of your longer torso. I'm exactly the same situation and always prefer the larger frame size.

 

[vickster]

Personally, I'd go smaller if truly in between sizes

Go testride a few bikes, find the one that fits best and feels best. Evans make it very easy to do so for example

I'd start with a 54cm top tube ( which is not necessarily a '54cm' bike) and try a few brands and models in your budget and desired aesthetic/ colour

If looking for comfort, the marketing men offer bikes labelled 'endurance' or 'sportive' or 'relaxed'

 

[S-Express]

My problem is that I have shortish legs at 30.5" and a long/tall upper body to make me 5' 9" tall.

So what sized frame should I be looking for?

Those just sound like fairly normal dimensions to me, I don't think there's anything particularly unusual about them. Either way, aim for a frame size of around 53/54cm for starters.

 

[buzzy-beans]

Thanks for those gems of information.

Years ago when at school a retired racer and shop owner in Leicester known as Sid Mottram Bikes made me a frame to fit my size exactly (http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/Sidmottramcycles.html) and it was an absolute gem but I sold it when I got into competing in cars etc.
Sid went on about how vitally important it was to get the measurements as spot on as possible for my road/race bike along with crank lengths etc. and this theory would appear to be supported 100% by Mike at BikeDynamics http://bikedynamics.co.uk/bikesizingbd.htm and my ratio equates to 44.2%.

I think I will be popping off to see a local gem of a bike hut at Stow, Lincolnshire to see what the owner suggests.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Tandem. You can be stoker and captain all at the same time. Embrace your individuality.

 

[KneesUp]

@Fab Foodie is it you who has the unusually proportioned Rourke for this reason?

 

[Fab Foodie]

@Fab Foodie is it you who has the unusually proportioned Rourke for this reason?

I do, and will respond this evening when I have time. The issue is about being able to sit back behind the bottom bracket a bit further than most to feel properly balanced. Explain later :-)
Cheers!

 

[adamhearn]

My problem is that I have shortish legs at 30.5" and a long/tall upper body to make me 5' 9" tall.

I'm 5'11 (ish) and have an inside leg of 31" and comfortably ride a 56cm Cannondale. Bike sizing isn't consistent - some bikes I tried a 54", others were 56" whilst some were sold as t-shirt sizes (medium, large).

Whatever size it ends up being just make sure you can have a reasonable length test ride to give you the best indication of how much more stretched you'll be compared to your flat bar.

 

[NorthernDave]

My problem is that I have shortish legs at 30.5" and a long/tall upper body to make me 5' 9" tall.

So what sized frame should I be looking for?

Well, I'm also 5ft9 and have an even shorter inside leg at 29" - both my road bikes have 53cm frames.
Apart from a bit of fine tuning to the saddle height, no further adjustments have been needed.

But, maybe I've just been lucky. What appear to be identical frame sizes can vary between manufacturers so it's always worth trying before you buy. Evans are good for extended test rides.

 

[vickster]

Don't overthink it, just try some bikes out and see which works best for you

@NorthernDave arent yours Boardmans, they size by seat tube and not top tube like some

 

[MichaelW2]

Compact style bikes such as Giant TCR are adaptable to shorter legs/longer torso riders more easily than standard frames with horizontal cross bars.

 

[NorthernDave]

@NorthernDave arent yours Boardmans, they size by seat tube and not top tube like some

They are.

 

[vickster]

They are.

I think thus they have a 55cm TT or thereabouts (mine is a tiny bit bigger than my '54s')

 

[Levo-Lon]

Merida are long in the body..

Im a 30 inside leg and 5'8.. 52cm for me and 45cm boardman..and a small cube mtb
As said ride a few..i was told i needed a 54..it crucified me