Sizing question

[Eddie]

Hi guys, wondering if someone similar to me could offer some advise. Basically I'm fairly tall (6ft 2) but have quite short legs (just under 32in inside leg)

I'm currently looking to buy a road bike, I've been to a LBS and the natural frame size for my height is 58cm but because of my inside leg a 56cm is also possible. Has anyone else been in a similar position and which option did you take? I'm on the verge of buying a Specialized Allez and feel this may work as the top bar is lower towards the seat so may be a good fit for me.

Any thoughts appreciated as I am looking to buy in the next couple of days.

Thanks.

 

[Banjo]

Hi guys, wondering if someone similar to me could offer some advise. Basically I'm fairly tall (6ft 2) but have quite short legs (just under 32in inside leg)

I'm currently looking to buy a road bike, I've been to a LBS and the natural frame size for my height is 58cm but because of my inside leg a 56cm is also possible. Has anyone else been in a similar position and which option did you take? I'm on the verge of buying a Specialized Allez and feel this may work as the top bar is lower towards the seat so may be a good fit for me.

Any thoughts appreciated as I am looking to buy in the next couple of days.

Thanks.

I have the opposite body shape, 33 inch legs on 5 ft 9 height. I am on a 56 cm road bike frame with a shorter than standard stem.I guess you would be ok on a 56 with a longer than standard stem.

Best option would be to test ride both sizes.

 

[Sittingduck]

Hi

If you're planning to buy it from a shop then just test ride both sizes and pick the most comfy. If you're planning on ordering online, there's nothing to stop you going into a shop and test riding 2 Spesh Allez', even if youre not going to buy from them. If it makes you feel any better buy a puncture repair kit or something from the shop, to ease guilt

Seems to me that the conflict might be standover height versus top tube length / reach. Fairly painless to tweak the reach aspect by changing the stem but standover height is more tricky.

 

[jayonabike]

+1 on taking them both out for a test ride if possible, your shelling out a fair amount of £. Make sure you get it right first time.

Also might be worth looking at the Secteur, also by Specialized, this has a more 'relaxed' riding position to the allez.

Jay

 

[Eddie]

Thanks for your replies guys, much appreciated.

I'm kind of being hurried into a decision by the opportunity to buy one used at a really good price. Therefore I won't have the opportunity to test ride before I need to make a decision. Is there anywhere I can find out what the height of the top bar is on the bike online? Obviously most things are adjustable so as long as the top bar isn't attempting to castrate me it should be ok (probably...)

 

[Dayvo]

I'm 6'1 and a 31 and a bit inside leg.

Both a 56 and a 58 fit me, but it's not just leg-size that's important, but also reach.

The seat post, as you well know, can be adjusted up and down, and the saddle moved back and forward. Try both and go for the one that feels 'right'.

 

[jayonabike]

http://www.specializ...menuItemId=8096

Click on geometry and you'll have every measurement you need.

jay

 

[Eddie]

They need to sort out a thanks button on this board. (unless I am missing it)

Looks as though I will be able to make it to a shop tomorrow now so should at least get the chance to have a look at one, although I would feel pretty guilty having a test ride and then buying elsewhere so I'll see how it goes.

Dayvo, it's good to know that a 58cm fits you as I think your inside leg is slightly shorter than mine so that is good reassurance.

LazyJ - thanks for the link, oh my, that really is something in terms of the number of stats! I'm normally not bad with working out tables and figures but Jesus, that is really something!

 

[cyberknight]

Try this...

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO&INTRO_LINK=NOREDIR

I found it helpful in setting up my bike.
Like others here i have found i have a short torso for my leg length i need a 52cm but ride a 54cm with a shorter flipped stem.Yes i am a short arse ! 5 foot 7 with a 31 " inside leg.

 

[Kestevan]

I'm built much the same (short legs, long body) and much the same height.

I'm happily riding a 58 Trek. When I bought the bike I'd pretty much decided to buy a Spec Allez, but no matter how much I tried I just couldn't get it comfortable. The 56 was "much" too small in reach, and the 58 just felt "wrong".

The Trek fitted like a glove straight from the off.

Highlights the importance of finding a bike that fits, rather than limiting yourself to a particular brand/model - you can tell what feels right from wrong fairly quickly and I think it would be silly to "shoehorn" yourself onto a bike thats wrong just to save a few quid.

 

[jig-sore]

i would worry more about the reach of the bike.

 

[Eddie]

i would worry more about the reach of the bike.

Not sure what this means exactly?

 

[jig-sore]

Not sure what this means exactly?

the "reach" from the saddle to the handle bars. you can adjust the saddle really easy on a bike but if the bike is too stretched out or too cramped for you then you will need to start changing stems and setting the forward and backwards movement of the saddle to extreme positions.

and it all depends on the bike manufacturer as well

one of my bikes is a large frame and is a bit too stretched for me so i had to fit a shorter stem. when i got my new bike i compared the frame geometry to my "old" bike and the medium frame was closest in size with only 1cm difference it top tube (cross bar) height but the top tube length (reach) was a lot shorter so i went for the medium frame and it fits me perfect

best thing is to try both sizes and see what fits you best BUT... pay more attention to the reach of the bike

 

[Benthedoon]

I would appear to be after something different regarding 'feel' from my bike. I'm 5'9" (ish) with a 31-32" leg I've always liked my bars lower than my seat when road riding so I ride a 54 Orbea with a 105 stem. After reading this thread everyone with a similar leg rides 56 or 58.
Again, try before you buy and get what's comfortable.

 

[cyberknight]

try before you buy and get what's comfortable.

Indeed i mistakenly bought a 56 cm frame bike and although it fitted for height the reach even with a 90 mm stem and seat all the way forward gave me back ache.I ended up swapping it for a new 54 cm and still run a 90 mm stem to get the right fit.

As for handlebars being low i thought most came like that these days? I must admit to riding with a flipped stem though as i go for comfort as i really only cycle for commuting and prefer a less sporty ride,its maybe a 3 -4 cm drop from seat to tops for me that way.