Darkside. Oh no- I bought the wrong the wrong bike size

Pain in hands/locked out arms etc. Went into PlanetX to buy a smaller stem and whilst discussing I had a bike fit on a jig and bloke chappy confirmed I should be on a XL not a L as I have a long torso. Originally pre-purchase of the bike I sat on a bike in the shop on rollers and shop said Large looks best.

So, expensive lesson learnt the hardway. 🙁

I should have had a professional/proper bike fit. Would have saved me money.

Wait, your issue is your bike is too long, so your solution is to get a bigger one?

Which bike did you buy in large? And what are your measurements?

Surely if the reach is too long on an L, it would be worse on an XL?

Lots of riders choose to have smaller frames than the size charts, difference between a large (560) and XLarge (580) could be made up with a stem.

Why were you buying a shorter stem? For a different bike?

How tall are you?

Agree with IanW, difference in one size can probably be compensated for using a different size stem / different reach bars / adjusting saddle back or forth slightly.

He said he has a long torso (relatively short legs in other words) which would result in the need for a longer toptube to somebody with a shorter torso/longer legs, and therefore the next size up frame is required.

If your stock stem is short, you may be able to make it up with a longer stem without making it too slow steering. Otherwise wider bars may help too or even a layback seatpost.

Its a large pro carbon planet X with a 110mm stem currently. The large is 20mm? lower than the front of the XL. Im 6ft1.7 with 33inside step.

I went in today to buy a 90mm stem

£600.

Yours,

stumpy torsoed bregante 🙂

Maybe I’m missing something but if you’ve got ‘locked out’ arms on the L, by going bigger the HT might be taller but the TT will be longer. Problem solved how?

The shop advised L and then subsequently advised XL? Send it back for one that fits

Sounds like you need a riser stem not a bigger frame (I presume that the suggestion for a XL was for a bigger head tube?)

Its not like STW has been telling you for years your bikes are too small and now you can do it all over again with the eternal search for the perfect steed with road bikes

He said he has a long torso (relatively short legs in other words) which would result in the need for a longer toptube to somebody with a shorter torso/longer legs, and therefore the next size up frame is required.

He also said he was getting a shorter stem so the top tube was apparently already to long on the large.

Sounds like you need a riser stem not a bigger frame (I presume that the suggestion for a XL was for a bigger head tube?)

This.

The requisite dimensional change can be accomodated by a different stem can’t it? Like you originally set out to buy.

I’m confused.

Junkyard Ive just re-replaced the 70mm stem on my medium Santa Cruz with the 55mm one I prefer/first fitted.

This is a road bike we are talking about not a mountain bike..

I hate long TTs on mountain bikes. Personal preference..

With a shorter stem my arms wont be locked straight whilst in the hoods will they? It’ll force me into a more upright position?

A need for a shorter stem doesn’t normally suggest a need for a bigger bike ..

you want a shorter reach so you’re buying a longer bike?

I wish my wife was as accomodating.

Try a 90 stem first? Its only £24 I suppose.

Tbh the frame size decision is much a fault of mine as a busy Saturday afternoon showroom assistants.

So I cant ‘blame the shop.

The rest of the bike is fantastic.

Ok down to the shop for the stem post Innerleithen ride tomorrow. Cheers guys 🙂

Mooman that is exactly where I was going with this! 🙂

Is the stem mounted with a -ve rise? If so, flip it over. Might also be relevant for the shorter stem.

*confused* to be honest if you are clueless I’d stump up the extra for a proper bike fit before you spend anymore on frames and parts. Learnt loads at mine and can fit myself now…and prob a good go at others

Is this your first darkside bike?. It does take a while to get used to the change in position. I always find people new to do drop bars tend to lock their arms out straight instead of dropping their elbows and leaning forward a bit (I did the same at beginning).

As mentioned a shorter stem and a bit of rise will help, an inline post will give you another 15-20mm if you have a setback. Other than that just some time in the saddle will help get used to it.

I think I am as baffled by this as every one else is.

Here is an idea for you, when you go back the the planet-x shop why dont you get them to advise sell you a stem that will get your hands as close to the position you are comfortable on on the XL frame with your current frame.

I would be astonished if this is a shorter stem.

Is the stem mounted with a -ve rise? If so, flip it over. Might also be relevant for the shorter stem.

This.

But it’s a “racer” don’t give up on a racy riding position just yet, persevere with it for a while, if you want sit up and beg, a hybrid thingy is what you need.

Flipped with higher rise it hurts more (which conflicted/confused me following today as Im not the knowledgable type on road). Its not height its REACH isnt it?

Read this for starters
http://www.bikefit.com/s-13-road-bikes.aspx

Flipped with higher rise it hurts more (which conflicted/confused me following today as Im not the knowledgable type on road). Its not height its REACH isnt it?

And yet you want to buy an XL because it’s taller and longer?! Do you read your own posts?

Shorter stem and get some core strength.

Shorter stem and get some core strength.

+1

and do some daily stretching as well

Will the shop allow you to try some different stem lengths ?

This is a rather confusing thread – you went to buy a shorter stem because you feel too stretched , didn’t buy the stem but came to the conclusion the frame was too small and you need one that would achieve the same as buying a longer stem for the frame you already own albeit at 60x the cost.

Mmm?

Have you people never read a Hora MTB sizing thread?
He is 6ft 1.7 ” and rides mediums

If you are expecting sense for him to listen to advise then you are in for an interesting few years

It does take a while to get used to the change in position. I always find people new to do drop bars tend to lock their arms out straight instead of dropping their elbows and leaning forward a bit (I did the same at beginning).

dont straighten your arms bend at the elbows and tuck

Like this

Can you just change the fork? Longer steerer + a couple of spacers to raise the stem by 20-25mm, then fit the shorter stem.

Hora. New forks.

What could possibly go wrong?

as I have a long torso.

Horizontally, or vertically?

Hora. New forks. What could possibly go wrong?

Ah. Bugger. Good point.

Going by the provided information, I’d suggest purchasing an additional medium frame. Take both medium and large frames to a framebuilder and ask them to cut both in half. Get them to weld the front half of the medium onto the back half of the large. Then, fit a 140mm stem to the front and use a 420mm seatpost with half a foot of layback. Finally, fit a set of 20 inch wheels.

You should be roughly in the correct position for a smooth and comfortable ride.

Do you think it’s the colour?? I’d be uncomfortable riding a bike that funny blue colour. Maybe try a respray and swap the 23C tyres for 25C as well – they bring the road alive. 😀

In fairness to those who haven’t met hora, he is an unusual shape.

As per usual the answer is supplied then the topic descends into a mosh pit of alcohol and flaying arms