Size Advice

[AHK]

Morning all,

I've been lurking around for a few weeks now, reading as much as I can.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the stickies and helpful threads.

Anyway, I finally took the plunge and ordered my first road bike after weeks of deciding. My budget kept going up and up so in the end I pulled the trigger on the bike I looked at originally. A Specialized Allez 2013.

I did as much looking around as I could, but found it very difficult to get anyone to spend a decent amount of time with me in any of my LBS.

I'd say I went to 5 different shops, and got 5 different answers about sizing. I am just under 5'8" inside leg around 30". Some places said medium will be fine, some said small, one guy told me no bigger than a 48. I test rode a couple of mediums and they seemed fine.

There was a thread on here where someone was exactly the same measurements as me, and he went for the 54 in the end.

Anyway I decided to order my bike from leisure lakes as they had the best price. None of my LBS seemed to stock specialized so I didn't really get to try one out. I spoke to a sales rep online and they recommended the 54cm.

It arrived last week. I need to get some pedals before I can actually ride it. But standing over it in shoes, I am a bit concerned. I don't think I have even an inch of clearance between my groin and the bike.

Trouble is I'm down south and the closest leisure lakes is quite a distance away.

Should I get some pedals on and take it for a ride. Or should I try and get to a store to exchange it while I still can?

 

[Biker Joe]

You could get the pedals you want, sit on the bike and see if it fits.
The pedals wont be wasted. You can still use them on the next bike if the bike is the wrong size.
You shouldn't need to take it for a ride. Just prop yourself up against a wall or get someone to steady you.
See how it goes.

 

[AHK]

Thanks for the reply Joe.

I do think it will probably be alright once I'm actually on it.

Its just I opened up the booklet that came with the bike and it basically said, unless you have 2 inch clearance standing over it. Then don't even bother riding it round the block.

Oh well I'll give it a shot

 

[Born2die]

I have 1cm clearance on the top tube I find that it's fine I prefer a stretched out riding position a larger frame gives me. Its more about the top tube length than clearance besides I can't have too aggressive a riding position as my back wouldn't like it.

I was worried at 1st but so long as I remember to lean the bike when I come to a stop oh and unclip I'm fine. I would say so long as your comfy in a riding position your ok.

 

[AHK]

Thank you. I'm feeling better about it already

Pedals coming tomorrow. Can't wait to get out on it

 

[Born2die]

I really panicked when I had no clearance but on the next size down I felt too cramped as you can see my icing position isn't too aggressive when I'm sure I will cut the stem though. It's all about how you feel on the bike

 

[Doyleyburger]

I too had this dilemma when ordering my bike a few weeks back. I am 5'11 and was told that a medium would be the way to go, but I decided on the large option. Like the post above, I too prefer the stretched out position. At the end of the day, you can take and listen to all the advice in the world but only you can decide what's the best fit. Im sure you'll be fine. All the best with your first few rides fella

 

[Doyleyburger]

I really panicked when I had no clearance but on the next size down I felt too cramped as you can see my icing position isn't too aggressive when I'm sure I will cut the stem though. It's all about how you feel on the bike View attachment 29277

Gorgeous bike by the way. Love the Boardman

 

[AHK]

Thanks again guys.

I was very close to going for a Boardman but couldn't quite justify stretching my budget to the one I was after.

Does look very nice indeed though!

I've gone for the Shimano double sided pedals for now. Never used cleats before so thought I'd ease myself in gently using flats for now :P

 

[Born2die]

Why thank you its. Nice ride the carbon forks really smooth out the road noise. It's flipping quick too

 

[Born2die]

I nearly went for the carbon but I needed a mtb too so I went for the race and an eBay nearly new kraken strangely I nearly went or the allez but it felt too cramped and I love the old school look the race has going to get yellow bar tape though and I need a phone mount

 

[AHK]

Here it is sans pedals, just out the box

 

[AHK]

I nearly went for the carbon but I needed a mtb too so I went for the race and an eBay nearly new kraken strangely I nearly went or the allez but it felt too cramped and I love the old school look the race has going to get yellow bar tape though and I need a phone mount

Nice what colour is the race?

 

[Born2die]

Pearl blue with yellow bits looks lovely out on the road

 

[Born2die]

Here it is sans pedals, just out the box

Nice bike looks lovely