Views on my bike size (inc pics)

[gillelive]

Hi, not been on here for a while other than to moan about my knee problem in the Health section. I have not been on my bike for about 2 months so decided to look again at my set up and bike size to see if it will help with my knee.

Anyway, my new ride is a sirrus comp and it's a large at 58cm. I have only managed about 50 miles (last bike stolen) so far and I am keen to get back in the saddle but I keep thinking the bike is a little small for me (I am 5'11''), what do you think? Also, do you think my seat height is about right? I have included a few pics showing different positions including one with my pedal at 6 and the ball of my foot on the pedal.

Any thoughts appreciated

 

[Zoiders]

If anything I would say it's too big.

If you had gone down a size you would have a shorter head tube and the seat post would be higher in relation to it giving you a less sit up and beg position.

As it is you are riding a frame that has a taller head tube than you need forcing you to run the bike in a very relaxed position, I also notice that you are not getting a lot of stand over which is never right with a compact/semi compact.

 

[Tasker]

I'm no expert but it looks like you've set it up ok to me. One thing that does occur is that it (the bike) looks ridiculously 'compact' i.e. just too short for you. I wonder if you've been pushing too hard in too high a gear? - and in that respect I'd suggest deliberately cycling in a lower gear than you normally would for a couple of weeks and see how you get on.

 

[gaz]

I wouldn't bother using the heel of the foot on the pedal method to set up saddle height. From my experience it only works if you have small feet.

It could well be that your cleat position is not right and you are putting stress on your knee.

 

[Norm]

If you had gone down a size you would have a shorter head tube and the seat post would be higher in relation to it giving you a less sit up and beg position.

Could you not achieve something similar by flipping the stem? It looks like it is angled slightly upwards currently, flipping it would move the bars down and forwards.

 

[Zoiders]

Could you not achieve something similar by flipping the stem? It looks like it is angled slightly upwards currently, flipping it would move the bars down and forwards.

Only by so much with that amount of headtube.

 

[steve52]

dosent look to bad to me move saddle forward a little , but kneenpain as my curse too untill i got the cleats lined up to suit me !yippee no pain for 3 mounths now

 

[gds58]

The size of the bike doesn't look too far out to me. You could get away with the next size down but I don't think it's necessary. One observation I would make is that I reckon that you could do with slightly raising your saddle by maybe 10mm or so. The third pic' from top shows your left crank almost at the bottomof its stroke and your leg is not extended enough for full benefit. Maybe try raising it by 10mm, have a ride and see how it feels. I would definately agree with an earlier post that suggests riding in a lower gear. This will help to alleviate knee problems and will also help to develop a nice smooth pedalling style and suppleness in your legs. Also turn the stem upside down to give you a slightly lower bar position.

Hope this helps, Graham

 

[gillelive]

ta for replies, yes I do get the feeling I am in a sit up and beg position which I don't like, I am now starting to think I opted for the wrong bike. My previous ride was a spec crosstrail, both bikes used mainly for a work commute....

 

[NormanD]

I'd say it's the position of your cleats if anything, I notice your stance over the bike (picture 1) that your feet look pointed almost 10 to 2 (or was that just the way you were standing at the time of the picture?) yet on the bike your feet look in line with the pedals (common mistake with going clipless) which is forcing your knee to twist (from it's normal position) to compensate thus causing knee pain.

Try sitting on the table behind you and dangle your legs over the edge, now relax your legs and check the position your feet are pointing by looking down at them, that's the position of your feet (natural stance) that you have to match to your cleats.

It's a matter of adjusting / test / adjust again / test until you find the sweet spot

good luck

 

[Banjo]

Seat height looks right.Hybrids are meant to be a more upright position than a roadbike. I use a Trek hybrid for commuting and I feel very upright on it after riding the roadbike.

 

[bigjim]

I'm wondering how he gets away with bringing his bike into the kitchen?

 

[Hicky]

I'm 5'9 1/2 and I have a 54cm Sirius and I have 180mm of seatpost showing and I have the stem flipped, the saddle is only just higher than the handlebars.
I'd of said a 56 was more your size but it is all dependant on inside leg, torso length, arm length which translates to stem length saddle positioning.....so I've read, havent a clue myself apart from watching youtube to look at setup.

 

[screenman]

You might find this helps, one of the first things needed to know to even start answering your question is where in the knee is the pain.

www.cyclingbetter.com/p/saddle-position_02.html

 

[gillelive]

I'm wondering how he gets away with bringing his bike into the kitchen?

Not a problem at the moment, bike is newish and very clean. I am usually relegated to the shed with my bike