I am looking at getting some road miles under my belt for fitness and the odd sportive / triathlon over the next year but have little in the way of knowledge of road bikes. I have plenty mounating biking experience but road bikes appear to be a whole new world.
Was looking at a planet x pro sl and I'm right on the border between the two L and XL according to the planet x sizing. I’m around 6’2” (188cm ish) with 84cm inseam. Have researched that it can go both ways re sizing, i.e. some people my height use the L and some the XL. I believe that tweaking the stem /post set up etc. provides an extent of flexibility.
I assume there will be answerrs of getting yourself to a bike shop for measurement or go and try one for size but not so easy being located in the North of Scotland (Inverness)
Any tips advice re sizing and selection?
Sorry, but no substitute for getting fit right IMO. Buy something relatively low budget (however you choose to define that) from your local bike shop. Better to get something that fits comfortably than the best spec available on the web at that price.
Oh and don't be afraid to fine tune away from their measurements a bit according to comfort (saddle height and fore/aft, bar height, stem length). Then if you like road riding, you will know roughly how you measure up for your next bling purchase 😀
this is why god invented bike shops.
sorry.
(i'm 6'2" - with a 91cm/36" leg - i ride a 60cm* Genesis)
(*sea-ttube measures 57cm)
6'4 and ride a 58cm Forme (fitted at LBS). Tried a 58 Cannondale Super Six at same store and that was too small. Much more of an exact science than a mountain bike I think..
Why do so many people go for size M Soul's irrespective of their height?? 😉
I'm 6'1" and found myself between sizes when buying my Cervelo frame (56/58cm). I opted for the smaller one as I prefer a lower front end and the faster handling of a smaller bike.
Having said that, I have roadbikes ranging from 55cm (Giant TCR Med/Lg) to 60cm and whilst the frames are completely different, the contact points are all in exactly the same position.
The bigger bikes feel more stable due to slightly longer wheelbase, but the smaller one feels much more lively and better for attacking corners on descents.
if you got large frame with long arms and legs, go for the bigger one.
if you small framed with short arms and legs go for the smaller one.
dont believe the nonsense about bike fit, its just a money maker for desparate bikeshops
I'm 6' 3" and ride a XXL 60cm Specialized Roubaix - fits like a glove.
I'm in Monifieth, just outside Dundee, u r welcome to try it out if u happen to be passing....
Alan.
I'm 6'1" or so, but with long legs. Tried a few frames, presently ride a 54/54 Ribble with loads of seatpost and stem spacers. Getting a cheeky custom frame made which will probably be 58 seat, 56 top tube.
I'm 6' and ride a large PX Pro SL frame
I found it a tad large but the medium felt small, a shorter stem had it just right for me.
6'2", I ride a Canyon Ultimate, used their online fit thingy wotsit and it suggested a 62cm frame, it's pretty much spot on. Very comfy.
dont believe the nonsense about bike fit, its just a money maker for desparate bikeshops
yeah, no point setting up a bike to fit.
so hard to say what size you want over the net - so much depends on flexibility. I always tend to end up with the larger size in this situation.
what length TT do you ride on mtb...
dont believe the nonsense about bike fit, its just a money maker for desparate bikeshops
I have to disagree there. You can trust your own uninformed judgement and anecdotal evidence gleaned from a bike forum or get fitted to a bike properly.
You might get lucky, or you might develop problems from riding a poorly fitted bike.
Best money I ever spent on cycling was a bikefit and some insoles/cleat wedges. Without those there is no cycIng for me.The trip to a decent road shop is worth it for the time saved swapping parts over (or the wrong sized bike) and being able to ride long distances in comfort.
And all the anecdotal size evidence is meaningless without the effective top tube plus stem length of those different bikes/frames mentioned (and how different manufactuers size their bikes) plus the fact you probably don't have the same proportions or flexibility.
Pissing in the wind.
And all the anecdotal size evidence is meaningless without the effective top tube plus stem length of those different bikes/frames mentioned
Agreed, I should qualify that the Canyon online fit calculates these for you - it told me I should take a 62cm Ultimate frame with a 110mm stem and it was pretty much bang on.
I'm about your size and I've just bought a large giant defy composite.
Agreed, I should qualify that the Canyon online fit calculates these for you - it told me I should take a 62cm Ultimate frame with a 110mm stem and it was pretty much bang on.
Was a size out for me, Said XL with a 110 stem when I need a large with a 130 stem and 2cm of spacers and my -5 deg stem flipped.
Once you Definately know your ETT length plus ideal stem length (with a quick look at head tube length and seat tube angle) knowing how this will effect cockpit length) you can isnstantly size any bike or frame from a quick look at the manufacturers chart.
@erny.. same as you.. just bought myself a giant defy comp 1. Im 6 2" with a 35 inseam..
Thanks for all the sizing suggestions. Currently ride an large specialized enduro 2006 and 19" 2000 rockhopper which is maybe a little on the small side.
Popped into alpine bikes who did a quick check on my inside seam and advised I would be a 58cm on a trek road bike or 56cm on a cannondale.
Ran my sizes through competitive cyclist sizing and got the following results (1st range - competitive cyclist, 2nd - Eddy fit, 3rd - French fit)
Seat tube range c-c 54.4 - 54.9 55.6 - 56.1 57.3 - 57.8
Seat tube range c-t 56.1 - 56.6 57.3 - 57.8 59.0 - 59.5
Top tube length 58.2 - 58.6 58.2 - 58.6 59.4 - 59.8
Stem Length 12.5 - 13.1 11.4 - 12.0 11.6 - 12.2
BB-Saddle Position 71.9 - 73.9 71.1 - 73.1 69.4 - 71.4
Saddle-Handlebar 59.2 - 59.8 60.0 - 60.6 61.7 - 62.3
Saddle Setback 7.9 - 8.3 9.1 - 9.5 8.6 - 9.0
Based on my measurements of
Gender M
Inseam 84 cm
Trunk 74 cm
Forearm 37 cm
Arm 73 cm
Thigh 68 cm
Lower Leg 56 cm
Sternal Notch 153 cm
Total Body Height 187 cm
The bikes geometry (Planet X Sl pro):
L(52) XL(56)
Seat Tube (mm) - Centre to Top 520 560
Actual Top Tube Length (mm) - CtC 550 570
Equivalent Top Tube Length (mm - CtC 570 590
Chainstay Length (mm) 408 408
Seat Angle (deg) 73 72.5
Head Angle (deg) 73 73.5
BB Drop (mm) 68 68
Head Tube Length (mm) 165 190
Front Centre (mm) 600 610
Wheelbase (mm) 1009 1009
Essentialy the effective top tube has only 20mm difference which i think could easily be absorbed by different length stems?
Biggeer difference in the seat tube but don't know how much of an issue that would be...
Currently thinking the large would be suitable....???
apologies that should be XL based on the spec's above. On reviewing various forums, lots of info to say the large would be fine
all so confusing
Fairly pointless trying to size a bike over the internet.
No one knows how flexible you are to start with. And then there's the parts that are going to go on it. All well and good saying x TT length and X stem length. What about seatpost layback? What bars are you using? How much reach? What shifters? etc.
Best off going to a shop and trying some and then buying something similar to one that fits.
FWIW I'm 6'2" and a bit, 35" inside leg (I think) and I had an XL carbon pro and found it probably a bit big. It was pretty long, I had a 110mm stem. Loads of space to climb out of the saddle though.
I was considering another and I was looking at a large with a longer stem (which is what I'd buy now as its a closer size to my current bike)
+1 for getting it fittest and I don't mean anything fancy just throwing a leg over a number of bikes a d seeing what fits. If there is noting in a lbs look at mates or just plane anyone. Find a roadie ride and go see. Once you know what fits then a few rides in its time for the specifics. The backup of a lbs especially when you are new to it all can be great.
You really need to sit on a bike and have an experienced road shop give you the once over, the first time I sat on the jig bike in the shop they said "ah your a mountainbiker then"
People come in all shapes and sizes. I'm 6ft1 but short legs, long torso, average arms. I ride 56.5 ETT's with a 130 stem -5° flipped and no spacers on a 17cm head tube, so I'm a bit more flexible than average. Some of those 'sportive' bikes would be too tall at the front for me. But my sizing has no bearing on your sizing even if we were the same height.
Most people would say the bike is too small for me until you see me riding it but then the long stem and drop pivot you forward at the hips (I have a straight back) and lengthens the cockpit.
Why the long stem? It's not long, all the pros are using 130-140. Why? Better weight distribution, I'm not the best descender but I like the planted feel of getting my weight over the front wheel. bikes with 90-100mm stems and upright Nodder positions screams 'bad handling'
We haven't touched on crank length and cleat position yer 🙄