What frame size do you ride
- Thread starter macp
- Start date
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Roadrider48
Voice of the people
- Location
- Londonistan
It varies from make to make slightly, I think.
I had a 56 Roubaix, but I sometimes ride a 54 BMC Teammachine.
I had a 56 Roubaix, but I sometimes ride a 54 BMC Teammachine.
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
I'm 6'4" and have frames which vary between 56 and 61, all of them fit.
bonsaibilly
Guest
But what bike is it? Different brands have different geometries and measuring-sticks.
Shorter stem... zero-setback seatpost... these are cheap options to experiment with...
Post a photo of yourself on the bike from the side on..?
bb
jayonabike
Powered by caffeine & whisky
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Out of 5 bikes two are 57cm, two are 58 and one is 60. All fit me perfectly and I'm 6ft 2
S-Express
Guest
Unless they all have the same arm length, torso length and leg length as you, then the answers they give you will be completely useless.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Stop kidding yourself. Six footers are not your fellows. You are not in the six foot club.
57cm frame measured BB centre to top of virtual horizontal top tube/seat tube intersection seems a cm too long, assuming top tube dimension is similar and you have a normal torso/leg length ratio.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Also 6' 1" tall and riding bikes with 58 cm top tubes but as S-Express has pointed out above, things are more complicated than just height vs frame size. I have a long torso and relatively short legs.
I have been tweaking the position on my best bike and have been amazed at how much difference small changes make. I had been getting lower back pain on the LHS on hilly rides. I raised the saddle by 2 mm and the pain moved to the RHS. That might sound odd, but my right leg is significantly longer than the left so what suits one leg is not ideal for the other. I then went for the compromise position in between and the pain is now much diminished and equal on both sides.
I had convinced myself that I needed a shorter, more upright position so I had flipped my 11 cm stem to achieve it. After many years of riding that, I have now discovered that an unflipped 13 cm stem suits me much better. I am fairly inflexible so I thought a big drop to the bars would hurt but I am much more comfortable stretched out with a 10 cm (4") drop from the saddle to the top of the bars.
If I'd had a bike fit I would probably have discovered this years ago, or even started riding a bigger frame size with a shorter stem.
I have been tweaking the position on my best bike and have been amazed at how much difference small changes make. I had been getting lower back pain on the LHS on hilly rides. I raised the saddle by 2 mm and the pain moved to the RHS. That might sound odd, but my right leg is significantly longer than the left so what suits one leg is not ideal for the other. I then went for the compromise position in between and the pain is now much diminished and equal on both sides.
I had convinced myself that I needed a shorter, more upright position so I had flipped my 11 cm stem to achieve it. After many years of riding that, I have now discovered that an unflipped 13 cm stem suits me much better. I am fairly inflexible so I thought a big drop to the bars would hurt but I am much more comfortable stretched out with a 10 cm (4") drop from the saddle to the top of the bars.
If I'd had a bike fit I would probably have discovered this years ago, or even started riding a bigger frame size with a shorter stem.
Poacher
Gravitationally challenged member
- Location
- Nottingham
Good advice from @bonsaibilly As a 6-footer, I've ridden frames between a 62cm King of Mercia (a bit too big, no longer have that one) and 54cm Holdsworth (definitely too small, but I love it so 
, and ride it with seat post and stem ever so slightly over their safe limit) and am currently renovating an old faithful Bob Jackson which is about right at 58cm (certainly not too small, probably about right). Answers so far may not be completely useless, as suggested by @S-Express , but it's definitely horse for courses territory. How long have you been riding your current frame?
, and ride it with seat post and stem ever so slightly over their safe limit) and am currently renovating an old faithful Bob Jackson which is about right at 58cm (certainly not too small, probably about right). Answers so far may not be completely useless, as suggested by @S-Express , but it's definitely horse for courses territory. How long have you been riding your current frame?
Ian H
Ancient randonneur
Frame-sizing is a minefield. Even the traditional seat-tube length is fraught – it used to be centre-to-centre, but now is usually centre-to-top. However, a compact or semi-compact frame may well have a shorter seat-tube, though, on the other hand, it might be extended above the top-tube. Ultimately, a comfortable step-over top-tube height probably determines your maximum.
Then there's the length of the top-tube. This is often close to the seat-tube length, but not always. Actual fit can be modified by stem length or (less optimally) saddle position. Toe-overlap (if that worries you) can also be a factor, especially on smaller frames.
To answer the OP, I look for a 54cm top-tube, and a frame size (seat-tube length) around 54-56cm. I'm probably around 5'11" after allowing for shrinkage with age.
Then there's the length of the top-tube. This is often close to the seat-tube length, but not always. Actual fit can be modified by stem length or (less optimally) saddle position. Toe-overlap (if that worries you) can also be a factor, especially on smaller frames.
To answer the OP, I look for a 54cm top-tube, and a frame size (seat-tube length) around 54-56cm. I'm probably around 5'11" after allowing for shrinkage with age.
Thanks guys realising now its not a straight forward question but I do feel like I am stretched out. I note my hands dont fall completely naturally on the hoods. Been riding it maybe two years but not long rides until recently where I find I am uncomfortable.
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Soltydog
Legendary Member
- Location
- near Hornsea
I have a 63cm T2, I'm 6'5" & I found that I was over stretched. I fit a much shorter, angled stem (raised by a good half inch) & find it much more comfortable now. Recently cycled across the country & back on it with no serious aches or pains
Thanks yes I fitted a shorter stem too and flipped it.
