Van Nicholas Euros.

[john59]

Hello, I’m after a bit of advice. I’m interested in a Van Nicholas Euros.



At the moment I’m riding a 56cm Thorn Nomad and I’m 5ft 9in with a 33in inseam.



The two shops I’ve contacted so far reckon I should be test riding a 54cm Euros. Do you think this would be the right size?



Any input would be appreciated as this is a big purchase for me.



John

 

[Banjo]

Hi John You are exactly the same dimensions as me by coincidence, I am very comfy on my 56 cm Scott Speedster ,shop suggested a 54 but then didnt have one and I am glad they didnt.

See how you feel on the test ride.

 

[gaz]

See if you can test ride a 54cm and a 56cm.

 

[john59]

See if you can test ride a 54cm and a 56cm.

I will if I can. But the stores only seem to stock certain sizes.

Thanks John

 

[Garz]

Hi John You are exactly the same dimensions as me by coincidence, I am very comfy on my 56 cm Scott Speedster ,shop suggested a 54 but then didnt have one and I am glad they didnt.

See how you feel on the test ride.

+1 some shops recommend sizes as they like to shift it. It may be genuine but I would try both sizes or a similar dimensioned frame in a 56 to see what you think.

 

[Spin City]

John

I recently bought a Euros and I'm still in the process of fine tuning my riding position. In terms of size, I'm fairly close to your measurements except I'm approximately half an inch taller than you with approximately half an inch longer inseam.

For your information, the Van Nicholas website has a Frame Sizing section which you could use for some help. Also, Planet X sell a Ti Sportive bike which has frame measurements that are almost exactly the same as the Euros. If you look on their website there is a 'Sizing Guide' which you could also use. However, my recommendation would be to do as you've already done; find a Van Nicholas dealer near to you and go and tell them your riding style etc and ask them what they think.

I bought a size 58cm as I have long(ish) arms and legs and I didn't want a huge drop from saddle to handlebars. In terms of measurements, the drop from saddle to handlebars is 4.5cm but I may flip the stem to reduce this drop to 2cm. There are 5cm of spacers to raise the handlebars and I use an 11cm stem. Lastly, there is 17cm from the top of the seat tube to the saddle rails but as you know the top tube slightly slopes.

Let me know if know if you want me to provide you with any further information.

 

[PK99]

m.

For your information, the Van Nicholas website has a Frame Sizing section which you could use for some help.

when ordering a yukon, the results i got from this were VERY misleading and I'd have ended up with a very undersized bike if i'd followed them.

Best advice is to try a test ride or at least sitting on both in a shop

 

[john59]

Thanks for everyone’s comments/advice. I did use the ‘Van Nicholas’ calculator and it came out 56.16cm.

As for testing them, that is my problem. My nearest stockists haven’t all the sizes in stock as yet.

As everyone has said a test ride of the various sizes are a must so it’s a case of waiting for my stockists to get the various sizes in, or travelling further afield. ‘Fat Birds Don’t Fly’ has been very helpful so far, but a trip to them is a 500mile round trip.

I’ll keep you updated on the outcome.



John

 

[srw]

If you haven't already done so, and are near Epsom, contact Paul Smith at Corridori. He couldn't have been more helpful when I went in (on spec) on Saturday - I ended up with a complete numpty's guide to road bikes, a fitting session and a test ride. All without pushiness and with a promise that he wouldn't chase me afterwards.

I may well be back on the phone to him before too long...

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

33” inseam at 5’9” would often mean you can ride more than one size, to be fair this is the case for many riders. By way of a comparison I also have a 33” inseam, but I’m 5’ 11 ½ “ and I ride a 56cm (that’s a Yukon below; I also have Chinook but the same size would apply for the Euros); you can see from the first picture below that although I have seat pin showing I still have scope to raise it, at least 2cm if needbe, meaning if I was shorter possibly the 54cm frame may have also been relevant, at least relevant enough for me to have wanted to try one, even if it was just to dismiss it as an option. You can see from the lower picture that I still have quite a relaxed position on the hoods, I’m quite long in the arm so for me a 54cm would not have been long enough.

But; you are not me, what’s right for me may not be final choice even for someone who shares my exact measurements as there are other considerations to take into account, how flexible you are, any neck or back injuries that can cause discomfort when cycling, your goals and style of riding, all play a part in influencing position and as such the size frame and set up that works for you.

There is no substitute for trying for size regardless of what bike it is you are looking to buy, doesn’t necessarily need to be the exact model, just bikes that share a similar geometry and contacts points.

Paul Smith

Touring Tips

 

[Echolalia]

Excuse me, but what tyres are you running on that Yukon please Paul? I have some Schwalbe Marathon 700x25s on my Steve Goff tourer but they don't feel as strong as others.

 

[PK99]

If you haven't already done so, and are near Epsom, contact Paul Smith at Corridori. He couldn't have been more helpful when I went in (on spec) on Saturday - I ended up with a complete numpty's guide to road bikes, a fitting session and a test ride. All without pushiness and with a promise that he wouldn't chase me afterwards.

I may well be back on the phone to him before too long...

Some bike shops in the area have a reputation for "selling up" and folks find that they end up spending far more than they originally intended - and regretting it.

Paul & Corridori are very different - as you say no pressure or pushiness, embarrassingly generous with their time to numpties and enthusiasts alike and just as likely to sell you something cheaper because it is what you really need. Of course, in the longer run it is the better approach as it fosters customer loyalty. I've bought two bikes from Paul and have just bought a Garmin and have a Van Nicholas on order. All on the back of a popping into the place he used to work about 4 years ago for some MTB shoes and a casual chat turning into a complete numpty's guide to road bikes which opened my eyes to how different geometry affects comfort for old gits like me.

Do phone him back, you won't regret it!

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

Excuse me, but what tyres are you running on that Yukon please Paul? I have some Schwalbe Marathon 700x25s on my Steve Goff tourer but they don't feel as strong as others.

I have seen Schwalbe Marathon 700x25s, they are probably as heavy/large as I would recommend although I have seen Marathon 700x28s, although I would fear that grit would struggle to clear the guard with a tyre that large with such a chunky tread pattern.


Like many I use my Yukon for fast (well I try hard on occasion…) mile eating and prefer something a bit lighter, I use Continental Ultra Gator Skins, to be fair these are a bit of a Marmite tyre but I have always fitted into the ‘love them’ camp.

Yes these are quite light but I do use them occasionally on tracks like those below; even if I do breathe a sigh of relief when I get to the other end of what is about an eight mile stretch; to be fair that style of track, on that bike, with those tyres is a bit Russian Roulette for me but it’s near the end of a tour that I have ridden twice and hope to again this summer, that very track has a road option you can take for those who don't want to risk their lightweight bikes, although that route is not as pretty (to say the least) plus loses a lot of height that you later have to regain, so providing it's not pouring down I will no doubt cross my fingers and ride that very track again:

You state "I have some Schwalbe Marathon 700x25s on my Steve Goff tourer but they don't feel as strong as others", if by that you mean you would prefer something larger, more robust then perhaps the Amazon style of bike that is set up for larger, heavier tyres may be worth considering.


Paul Smith

Touring Tips

 

[Echolalia]

The highest tyre I can go to with the clearance on this bike is 25mm which doesn't feel quite right when I cycle. I like the feel of something sturdier, the Steve Goff might have to go. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[e-rider]

You'll need a 56cm