[Closed] Road bike sizing - cramped 54 or tall 56?

For me it was simply finding a bike that felt comfortable which took a few frames, then sticking to that geometry - virtual tt, seat tube angle, head tube angle (important for descending), stack height has some leeway with spacers and stems.

Seems strange as I was under the impression longer stems help with descending as they slow down the steering at high speeds.

That saddle height sounds wrong for a modern compact frame. If it is a half decent shop they may be able to offer a proper bike fit and recommend which you should buy. If not I'd start by measuring your existing bike effective top tube and reach. From what you've said, the 54 is the better fit.

FWIW I'm 5'10 and ride a 54 road bike. Long legs means loads of post and quite a drop to the bars. However, I found the 56 meant a 100mm stem on my old bike so now I'm on a more roadie 120 and things are greatly improved. It is rare that headtubes get much longer between M and L frames. 10mm at most from when I was looking.

Seems strange as I was under the impression longer stems help with descending as they slow down the steering at high speeds.

Only if shorter and longer stems used on same length frame. Shorter wheelbase = more twitchy.

OP - How does the TT on your current bike compare to the 54cm 'dale?

The Haole is 535 the dale is 545 but I put the numbers into bikegeo.net and due to differences in angles and head tubes would still need to run a 130mm stem on the 54. The 56 means I can use a 100mm stem and it felt great as stock but there is very little saddle to bar drop and not much I can do with saddle height.

Long arms = long stem IMO. The fact you've got short legs might also mean you've got short arms. Short arms = shorter stem and longer TT. THe short wheelbase of the Kona is probably too short for you.
The TT of the 56 would probably be better, you could run a -17 stem. It'd look a bit funny with the saddle really low though.
One thing to consider; do you use a setback seatpost? You probably should if you've got a long torso. Also, try flipping the stem so it's angled down, that usually helps with stability.

Rather than choose the bike and then work on how it fits, work out what bike fits you and buy that.

Thanks for the help all.
Jonba - All the bikes I've looked at so far have only small differences between TT length for a 54/56.
DTF I think you might be right, my long torso is the problem and that means I need a long tt.
Scotroutes - I know that is what I should do but funds and access to test rides (I live in Norway) limit that options. Especially as I know I can make a 54 fit albeit with some small sacrifice in handling. Are you able to recommend a bike brand with a long reach but low stack?
Thanks again all.

It's not just brand. Manufacturers often do a range of "fits" aimed at different types of riders.

I rode the 56 C-dale and it felt great in the reach, but I would have to run the saddle only a few cm's above the frame to get the bike comfortable in the leg.

I am exactly the same height as you, and that is exactly the way I run my Pinarello.

Everyone has commented on how big they assume the frame is on me until they see me ride, when the comments become more about how comfortable I look on the bike. Honestly, I quite like it set up that way.

I'm 6ft and have been perfectly comfortable on 54" frames and 13"stems and setback post (descending and all) except for toe overlap on sharp corners. I doubt the handling issue is due to the stem tbh. I ride both 56 and 57 comfortably so imagine you are a 54 all day long.

I' m in the same boat, I had a bike custom built to my specs. I also have of the shelf 55cm bikes which also fit well.
Echoing the above; dont sacrifice the handling by 'making' it fit.
Try a 55.

Same height as you and also short legs. I am on a medium Defy with 110 stem, after bike fit. I had originally chosen a M/L with standard 100mm stem and used both in the bike fit, with the medium ending up same length due stem change but bit more post showing. Very comfy, in fact I'm on my second one now

Size down with a longer stem. Handling is improved as more weight is placed over the front wheel. A big frame can feel less responsive.

Merak - I've looked for 55cm frames as I think that would hit the sweet spot but I haven't found many from mainstream manufacturers. Who are the off the shelf frame from?
Saxonrider - have you ever wanted a larger saddle to bar drop? I know once the saddle height is set I won't touch it so the lack of movement is not an issue.

Peter Sagan is probably of similar proportions (if a bit taller). He used to get his Cannondales made with an extended top tube (look at that length!)

Also, 20mm setback seatpost which is probably where you should start....

[img] [/img]

Kinesis tend to be long with a low stack.

Worth checking the tables?

I think you need to start checking the reach and stack figures for the bikes you've ridden and then try and find a frame with the reach and stack you'd like

Virtual top tube isn't always the best indicator of reach, on its own

I've looked for 55cm frames

TCR and propel Medium are 55.5cm ETT. Propel has a longer head tube and more fiddly brakes. Defy is 54.5cm in Medium.

[url= https://www.condorcycles.com/collections/road-bikes ]Condor[/url]

[url= https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/propel-advanced-pro-1 ]Giant[/url]

[url= http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Blog/Archive/October-2015/Have-you-seen-our-new-555cm-size-options-2 ]Kinesis[/url]

Ampthil - I'm looking at stack and reach figures but have only found Giants which fit the bill and while they may be great, I struggle to get excited about them ( at least on paper).
I should also add I'm after a bike for going fast and climbing on shorter rides, not a comfort/ endurance style bike.

Kinesis have tall headtubes, as do Condor.

Ritchey Road Logic would be a good fit, considering erveryone usually sets them up with loads of spacers due to the short head tubes.

I had exactly the same problem trying to get cannondales to fit - short legs but 5'10"ish. I've been happy on 54 and 56 cm frames, but I ended up on a medium TCR SL advanced which I love, as suggested by TiRed up there... I've not had that many nice road bikes (a 2008 tarmac 56cm, a cervelo S1 & S2 (both 54), and a kinesis GF ti, 54 I think) but I like the giant way more than any of them (probably due to the fit...)

Bikes can be fast and comfy, Giant Defy being case in point...

I'm 5'11 and I had a 56 Cdale and it felt too big! Virtual TT was 58 though.

Personally if was you i'd go 54 with longer stem- it looks better 😉

+1 for Kinesis, as they do 54, 55.5 & 57cm sizes.

I'm 6ft tall, but only have 29inch inside leg & gibbon arms, so had to hunt around for a good fit.
Really glad I took my time, as the fit is great, the quality is great, and it rides superbly.

http://z6.invisionfree.com/Sussex_Muddyarse/index.php?showtopic=4354

OP it's your money but when it's mone I just see a bike as some tubes. The difference between brands is really just geometry. I'd just go with what fits and ignore the writting on the frame. At the very least try one the of Giants. But it's your money..

Im 5' 10" with short legs (30.5" inside leg)
I ride a 54cm frame with a 110mm stem.
On a road bike, you tend to sit in one position and pedal for long periods continuously, so id start with making sure you can achieve a correct, comfy pedalling position first and foremost (via saddle height and amount of layback, then work from there.
Its relatively cheap to experiment with different post/stem/bar width, so there's not really a definitive right or wrong answer.

I'm 6ft, with normal proportions and have a CAAD10 in 54. I run a 110mm stem that is pretty slammed and it's a vert stretched-out ride. A couple of members of our road club are 5'10" and have 56cm SuperSixes – they look far too big. I find the geometry and ride to be very racy.

Fast and climbing sir should test ride a TCR. It might not get you excited, but a properly fitting bike is a lot more exciting than a poorly handling gate.

TCR Advanced SL is a pro-peloton hand made bike from the largest carbon producer in the world.

My Defy is the same, but you want the TCR for reach.

Road bike fit is worth getting a bit of proper professional help on - as a long legged 6'2" I ride a 56 but routinely use a setback seatpost which makes it better to descend on IMHO and gives more space on the bike. I ride with a 120mm stem. From that I would start on the 54 and then get some help. Best money I spent was on a bike fit! More comfort, greater speed and for no effort - who knew 3mm extra seatpost could do such a thing!

Also remember stem length in isolation isn't that useful when comparing between sizes on different brands, bar reach can vary from ~70mm to ~120mm depending on your tastes too don't forget to factor that in too, or at least make sure/know you're going to be using the same bars when making comparisons.

Many thanks for the help all. It seems the TCR gives me the longest reach for the lowest stack, so I need to give it a try before committing to the Dale. I've also found that BMC do a 54 that is longer in the reach so I'll check that out too.
Cheers

Buy the bike that you want most and then do your very best to make it fit 🙂