I've had a terrible time migrating from mountain to road! I started out on this journey back in July and I think I may just be coming out of the coma that I've been in thanks to the LBS.
Your advice and comments are greatly appreciated!
I am exactly 5'10" tall - 178cm - weight 80kg
My inseam is 31.5" - 80cm. I get to .5 by really jamming a book up my shoot and then marking the wall!
I am most comfortable with a saddle height just a hair under 28"
I understand calculating frame size is a "guideline"... So by the numbers I should start somewhere on a 53-54cm frame...right?
For reference I ride a 17" mountain bike - 44cm -- and it feels like its a part of me.
My crisis: I made the move to a road bike and purchased a Scott S20. The dealer insisted that I needed a large frame - 56cm. He stated that because I have a long torso the longer top tube was more important then the seat tube measurement.
OK I thought. During the test ride I felt like I was riding on a fence post. I had the shop lower the seat several times. The end result...I found my 28" saddle height without a tape measure and there was less then a fist of seat post showing...the mechanic has to raise the seat to get the bike on the work stand.
I was fitted to the bike. It "OK" but I still feel something is off. In the drops I am stretched out across the bike, and even when riding up at the top of the bars it feels odd...but I can't put my finger on what is wrong. The Scott is up for sale...
I went to get fitted on a Giant Defy...compact road frame. I found myself on Giant's medium frame. Giant says this frame fits people 5'7" to 5'10"....so I am on the high end of the range. The shop owner initally recommended a M/L, next size up based on my height...but after playing around I ended up on the smaller frame. The shop set the saddle and changed the stem to a 110mm and am perfect on this thing. The seat is centered on the post, knee right over the pedal...and it "Feels" perfect. For me if I don't notice anything then its OK.
Does any of this make sense?
I guess what I am asking here is --- Is sizing purely objective and based on the LBS opinion? It seems like you can go one place and they will recommend a 56cm, and then the next guy will say 54cm.
One of my buddies says "Lance is 5'10" and ride a 58cm" How is that possible? Is he all inseam?
I am looking for some concrete explanation on how I can determine appropriate frame sizing. Thanks for listening to my rant!
Your advice and comments are greatly appreciated!
I am exactly 5'10" tall - 178cm - weight 80kg
My inseam is 31.5" - 80cm. I get to .5 by really jamming a book up my shoot and then marking the wall!
I am most comfortable with a saddle height just a hair under 28"
I understand calculating frame size is a "guideline"... So by the numbers I should start somewhere on a 53-54cm frame...right?
For reference I ride a 17" mountain bike - 44cm -- and it feels like its a part of me.
My crisis: I made the move to a road bike and purchased a Scott S20. The dealer insisted that I needed a large frame - 56cm. He stated that because I have a long torso the longer top tube was more important then the seat tube measurement.
OK I thought. During the test ride I felt like I was riding on a fence post. I had the shop lower the seat several times. The end result...I found my 28" saddle height without a tape measure and there was less then a fist of seat post showing...the mechanic has to raise the seat to get the bike on the work stand.
I was fitted to the bike. It "OK" but I still feel something is off. In the drops I am stretched out across the bike, and even when riding up at the top of the bars it feels odd...but I can't put my finger on what is wrong. The Scott is up for sale...
I went to get fitted on a Giant Defy...compact road frame. I found myself on Giant's medium frame. Giant says this frame fits people 5'7" to 5'10"....so I am on the high end of the range. The shop owner initally recommended a M/L, next size up based on my height...but after playing around I ended up on the smaller frame. The shop set the saddle and changed the stem to a 110mm and am perfect on this thing. The seat is centered on the post, knee right over the pedal...and it "Feels" perfect. For me if I don't notice anything then its OK.
Does any of this make sense?
I guess what I am asking here is --- Is sizing purely objective and based on the LBS opinion? It seems like you can go one place and they will recommend a 56cm, and then the next guy will say 54cm.
One of my buddies says "Lance is 5'10" and ride a 58cm" How is that possible? Is he all inseam?
I am looking for some concrete explanation on how I can determine appropriate frame sizing. Thanks for listening to my rant!
