Still Paranoid

[roadiewill]

Im still paranoid that my frame size on my new tarmac is incorrect - mainly due to the back ache Ive been getting.

However, I cant see how it could be... and I think its just me annoying myself. Heres a few numbers about the bike and me, can you give me an opionion on whether Ive got the right size or not?

OK... Ive got the 56cm Tarmac Elite.
Im a shade under 6ft, so got a bit of growing room should I gain a bit more height but I dont think Il grow too much more now, being 18 this year.
The 56cm according to specialized is suitable for 5'9'' to 6'0''.
The 58cm is suitable for 6'0'' to 6'3''.
OK, in the shop the 56 passed the front hub/blocked view test whereas the 58cm (allez as they didnt have a 58 tarmac) didnt.
My old giant is a 55.5cm frame, so surely it makes sense to get the 56cm... there cant be too much difference or am I wrong due to the different geometrys?
My inside leg measurement is 81cm, or 32inches.
When I do the frame size calcualtor, 81x0.68 I get 55cm frame.
Both my giant and the tarmac are pretty much the same frame wise, but the giant has a 120mm stem and the tarmac a 110mm.

However, I keep on thinking should I have got the 58cm? Is this back ache Im getting a result of being too cramped? I also have the seat raised quite high on the tarmac, about 10 inches of seatpost showing...is this a sign thatt Im too big for the bike?? When I do the sadle height calculation it says my haddle should be a good 5'' lower!?

Im going to the lbs this weekend hopefully to put my mind at rest... I hope its just me adapting to the new position or I might need a longer stem like the giant.

If I do need the next size, do you reckon the lbs will buy it back for a reduced price seeing as its only done 100 miles?

Sorry for the ramble..just really paranoid now

 

[tyred]

I'm certainly not an expert on this but I would think you're better to have a frame a size too small rather than one that is a size too big. You can fit long reach stems, long seat posts and the like if need be to a small frame to make it comfortable for a tall person but try making a large frame smaller! It sounds to me like you might benefit from a stem with more reach.

 

[roadiewill]

Heres the giant and the tarmac together, they look the same size dont they!

 

[Smokin Joe]

Provided your position is correct the actual frame size does not matter. I notice two completely different saddles on your bikes, the one on the giant has a "sculptured" shape to it. Both my bikes have exactly the same saddle, you'd be surprised how different your riding position can be from saddle to saddle if there is a pronounced difference.

 

[RedBike]

Sadly I don't think they will want to buy it back, certainly not for £100 less than new.

If you're between sizes you're obviously going to find one slightly too small and the other too big. As many people have said it's probably better than the bike feels a little bit too small. It's all personnel preference though.

It's really hard to say if you would need the next size up or not.
I'm just 5'9" with a 32" inside leg. I also used to ride a 56" Tarmac (I think). I had mine professionaly set up for me which I think involved switching to a slightly shorter stem /narrower bars than normal.

I suspect the bike shop (If it's where you got the bike from) are going to tell you that it fits regardless of wheather it does or not. They certainly wont want you to walk out thinking they'd sold you the wrong size bike. You might be better off asking somewhere else.

Try asking if they can suggest a new stem to get a better fit (Hopefully this is all it needs). If they do suggest a longer stem then ask if they think you might of been better off on the next size up frame.

 

[roadiewill]

Will a 10mm longer stem really make a difference?

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I suspect the bike shop (If it's where you got the bike from) are going to tell you that it fits regardless of wheather it does or not. They certainly wont want you to walk out thinking they'd sold you the wrong size bike. You might be better off asking somewhere else.

Bang on th emoney this...the LBS will do all it can to fob you off I reckon if they have actually sold you the wrong size....but...why would they have sold you the wrong size if they had the larger size in stock for you to buy??

I know little but I hav elearnt a lot on these boards and whilst buying my two bikes....my Bianchi I bought after MUCH help from peeps on CC about sizing etc. What i do know is that the key number is your reach/top tube...not the frame size necessarily. I am 6'3" and ridea 64cm tourer and a 61cm Bianchi...both of which have the same top tube reach. Side by side the saddle height and bar height and stem length is exactly the same, the only difference is the height of the top tube from the ground it seems (bollock clearence)
I also have a 59cm rourke frame which although not built up yet has th esame reach as th eother two bikes...

Will a 10mm longer stem really make a difference?

I think it makes abig difference. I have just fitted a 120 stem to my tourer (from a 100cm stem I had on there for a while to make me more upright)...I feel a lot more stretched out now...everything fits well and I feel much more comfy...and I can ride faster I feel.

 

[RedBike]

Will a 10mm longer stem really make a difference?

It will feel different; but it wont help much if you actually need a stem thats 20mm longer. You need a good bike fitter to look at you on the bike!

Perhaps a few of your team mates could lend you a stem then take a few pictures of you riding so you can look at your postion yourself.

 

[keebz8]

wheels for spec tricross

Hi

I've read positive comment about specialized tricross which seems to suit my needs of both light of road and road cycling. I currently have a tourer which seems sluggish on cycle rides and shakey on tracks.

In the summer I would like to go out on the road with some mates that I have met up on MTB rides during the winter evenings and was hoping that I may be able to use the tricross with narrower wheels say 25s or possibly 23s.

Is this a good option and if so is there a good priced set of wheels you could recommend?

Hope you can help - thanks in anticipation. Keebz8

 

[punkypossum]

Hiya, as you know I suffered from similar paranoia over the weekend, I did some more research at home and actually checked the sizing again using a method in Zinn's cycling primer (he says the hub method is fairly useless). It worked on my bike and was one of the factors that made me feel more confident I had the right size:

"Position the rider on the bike with hands in the drops, elbows comfortably bent (15 degrees), and the rider looking ahead. Then drop a plumb bob from the end of the rider's nose. Look for the plumb bob to drop over the center of the handlebar or 2cms at most behind it (and never ahead of it)."

Not sure if that works if you are pinocchio, but it might be worth a try and is reasonably easy to test....Good luck!!!!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

so how would I tie the string to my nose?

 

[punkypossum]

I suppose you could have it pierced if you were determined to do this test on your own, if not, some strong parcel tape might be up to the job!!!!

 

[Randochap]

I suppose you could have it pierced if you were determined to do this test on your own, if not, some strong parcel tape might be up to the job!!!!

No, no, you need some real tape for that job!

 

[asterix]

It may just be that the saddle angle is wrong.

Try experimenting with the nose down a little and see if that helps. At first it will seem odd to change the angle but give it a go for a few miles and you may well find that fixes the back pain.

 

[postman]

So sorry to hear about this prob.It is a nightmare.It is one of my gripes.That we are expected to part with large amounts of money.Without having the chance to check everything out. Try being 6' 4" and 34/35 inside leg. The last shop got me down a 54cm bike and offered well a 61 should fit you.Rubbish .