Road bike - sizing advice

• 

  blitz on 19/02/2016 - 10:07

  +1

  Can you post a picture of you side-on on the bike? My feeling is that 181 cm is too tall for a 54cm frame.

  If you already have a 100cm stem, a longer stem will not help. It will make control worse and won't correct your ride position.

  I have a range of road bikes. Only one lines up with the spindle. The others are about an inch fore or aft, but on its own this is not a good indicator of fit.

  • 

    kickling on 20/02/2016 - 12:02

    Thanks mate. Would you be able to have a peek at these 4 photos? 2x on the hoods, 2x in the loops.

    http://s262.photobucket.com/user/kicklingfc/library/Bike%20F…

    • 

      blitz on 20/02/2016 - 19:52

      +1

      I think that bike is too small for you. The seatpost is quite high and the stem is inverted to give you height on the bars. I think a lower seat height and a longer top bar will suit you better.

      This said, the proof of the pudding is in the riding so if you feel fine after a moderately long ride, perhaps it's OK for you. But I think it's too small.

      • 

        kickling on 21/02/2016 - 12:31

        Thanks mate. All the opinions I'm gathering confirm your view.

        Although I can modify bits and adjust pieces, it seems like I should just be rid of all these issues and go to a 56cm. However I hear that smaller bike are better for racing and climbing??

        …not that I am going to race.

      • 

        orbitalpaul on 21/02/2016 - 13:03

        +1

        @kickling:

        I agree with @blitz entirely. Tweaking a position is one thing but you are trying to manufacture one that isn't there. Yes, a smaller frame is lighter but if you have already got a position that is at the limit of the frame then you have no room to move in the future when your needs change slightly (this will happen)

      • 

        kickling on 21/02/2016 - 13:38

        @daryanx:

        Thanks mate. appreciate the comments.

        I guess I am trying to do what I can cos it's a really nice bike and I got a good deal. Kind of sad to let it go 😊

      • 

        kickling on 22/02/2016 - 23:07

        @daryanx: Have you had any experience with Malvern Star Oppy Bikes? Just wanted to know if they are true to size. I went into a bike shop and one example is Trek which a 56cm is actually the same size as my 54cm Cannondale.

        @blitz: How about you?

      • 

        orbitalpaul on 23/02/2016 - 07:47

        @kickling: No, I haven't. Sorry. With all of these bikes the geometry will differ slightly. Your LBS will be able to advise. If you are fresh to road bikes then my advice is to test ride as many different ones as you can get your hands on, in different sizes where appropriate, and make an educated decision. Where are you based?

      • 

        kickling on 23/02/2016 - 08:30

        @daryanx: Thanks, that is a great idea but need to find the time! I'm in Adelaide.

      • 

        blitz on 24/02/2016 - 11:22

        +1

        @kickling:

        No, never ridden an Oppy though I have a friend who has one.

        My recommendation is to complete the fit measurement process at Competitive Cyclist (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculato…) and then compare the results with the geometries of various bikes. I think it's a pretty good gauge.

      • 

        kickling on 25/02/2016 - 00:04

        @blitz: Thanks mate.

• 

  DavoW on 19/02/2016 - 10:42

  +1

  I'm 179m and I have a 52cm roadie. I find it comfortable, no real issues…

• 

  Euphemistic on 19/02/2016 - 14:05

  +1

  Sounds a bit small to me. I'm 181cm and am riding a 61cm fixie and a I think a 57cm roadie. The fixie I thought was as going to be too big, but it's ok, just not a lot of seat post showing.

  Quick Google says:
  168-175cm: 54-55cm frame
  175-183cm: 56-58cm frame
  183-191cm: 58-60cm frame,

  Your 54cm is definitly on the small side for your height it would seem. However, if you are of unusual proportions, eg long legs, short torso or visa versa, then you might fit other sizes. Personally I have a longer torso with short legs. I rode my bro in laws bike who had the same seat height as me, but found the top tube length way to short, I think his bike was around the 54cm mark.

  • 

    kickling on 20/02/2016 - 00:45

    Yeah I have a lot of seat post showing, but I've been told that the design of different bikes will affect the seat tube showing as much so it's not a great indicator… In fact, a top tube of 54cm across different brands differs in feel and fit, which is quite annoying!

• 

  [Deactivated] on 19/02/2016 - 14:07

  +1

  You're right, height across different people is not comparable. Limb length and trunk length are big factors. Flexibilty is also a major factor.

  I had a proper bike fit done by a physio and the difference was only a few centimetres, but the difference in comfort was amazing. This could sound like confirmation bias, obviously.

  I'd recommend getting a friend and measuring yourself up using this tool. It came to a very similar result to my physio bike fit. The key difference is that it will show you a range but you won't obviously be able to discuss modifications to suit your style.

  http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculato…

  Also, this is a wonderful and useful forum for all things bike:

  http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/

  • 

    kickling on 20/02/2016 - 00:43

    Thanks, i actually already used the fit calc and it says top tube of 54 cm is ok for me… But i measured myself so probably got some wrong measurements…

• 

  shannonn54 on 20/02/2016 - 00:10

  +1

  http://www.sheldonbrown.com/kops.html Says that the kops method is all talk with no physical backing?

  • 

    kickling on 20/02/2016 - 00:41

    Yeah I read that, but it seems to be a good starting point for general position setup

• 

  shannonn54 on 20/02/2016 - 00:54

  +1

  Seems the key point is centre of gravity and remembering the rider is almost never in a static riding position but always adapting to hills, up or down etc. Just thought the author is right when he claims is so hard to combat the reliance on kops mentality out there.

  Be interesting to see what the institute of sport would advise. BTW I don't ride cycles just came across the article

• 

  Rockit22 on 20/02/2016 - 09:13

  +1

  I think you're fine. I use the 54 in the CAAD8 and it's a touch big so recently bought an 80mm stem, puts me in similar positions (front hub vs bars) as you mention. Just get a new stem and see how it feels. I didn't feel right on the 52. So long as you're not too uncomfortable who cares.

• 

  orbitalpaul on 20/02/2016 - 09:26

  +1

  Ok, I am also 181cm and purchased a Synapse. I test rode the 54 and 56 and ended up buying the 56. The 54 wasn't too small for me (and of course was lighter) but the 56 seemed a slightly better fit. The thing is with bike fit it isn't just about height but is also about the relative length of legs to torso, etc. KOPS is a good starting point but should be used as a guide. I have a position that is slightly in front of KOPS. The last thing to remember is that the Synapse is an endurance road bike, which doesn't have as aggressive a position. Fundamentally, if you feel comfortable then that is fine. You might find you can tweak that position slightly to get slightly more power out but only change one thing at once and do a couple of rides before changing again. Happy riding :)

  • 

    kickling on 21/02/2016 - 12:32

    Thanks. Blitz in the original reply to me suggested it was too small bit I'm going to test ride a couple more times.