road bike sizing question

[seand]

so im in the process of investigating a roadbike for myself. im tired of driving to work; its only 12 miles to work...why not ride :)

i cannot figure out the sizing ratio between roadie and mountie bikies...

how big is a 54cm bike? how much standover is good/bad?

is there a chart someplace online to compare inseams and heights to frameset sizing?

i thought about using my banshee to commute with..but im not riding a 55lb bike 24 miles a day :)


thanks for the help!
-sean

[Robot]

For sizing some bikes:
http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/050.000.000/050.600.100.asp?sPageID=050.600.100

[seand]

cool, thanks :)

[sanrensho]

Use a proper fit calculator like this one:

http://www.zinncycles.com/fit.aspx

The Giant link is very specific to their bicycles. Basically, Giant road bikes offer limited sizes (Small, Medium, Large, etc.) and they try to "fit" their bikes to in-between riders by changing the stem length, etc.

This makes good business sense and simplifies their inventory, but is not so good if you happen to be an "in-between" size. In comparison, most road bike manufacturers offer sizing in 2 cm increments.

I think you've mentioned in the past that you are 5"5" or so? Then you will probably need something around 49-50 cm. Use the fit calculator to make sure of your size.

[sAFETY]

once you do decide on a frame, make sure it's fitted properly by someone who knows road bikes (not the kid and your LBS who sells them 'cause he has to).

It makes ALL the difference. Pay extra if you have to.

[sanrensho]

Part 2:

1. Standover is not as big an issue on road bikes. Hopefully you won't be launching yourself onto the top tube any time soon.:) Top tube and seat tube length are more important.

Also, you'll have a little extra clearance from wearing cleats.

2. There is really no sizing ratio between mtb and road bike sizing, because sizing on an mtb is often dependent on the terrain you ride.

[Shmoe]

Originally posted by Robot
For sizing some bikes:
http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/050.000.000/050.600.100.asp?sPageID=050.600.100

Thats for a COMPACT frame. So, only use that chart if you are planning on buying a Giant.

[cycla4sh0]

i was just gonns say that. ;) they use compact geometry

[Robot]

Originally posted by Shmoe
Thats for a COMPACT frame. So, only use that chart if you are planning on buying a Giant.

And if you actually READ the post. I wrote sizing for SOME bikes. And if you actually went to the page and READ it, you'd see it was talking about Giant bikes which, IMO, would fall under the 'some' category.

I think Seand can figure out that the fit listing was for Giant bikes only. And, besides, it gives him some ballpark figures to work with.

I never understood why so many roadies were so anal.

Flame away.

[seand]

there are two bikes i have my eye on..one is a giant, the other is a trek...im going to head down to the local roadie store and chat it up with them for a while.

thanks for the info!

[Nelson]

Road bike sizing is totally different from company to company. Specialized has a full set of sizing tools that determine seat setback, seatheight, stem length and crank length. The Full set of tools costs over $2000, so dont expect your LBS to have it. Bigger shops that deal with road bikes should have the tool. Basically you get molested by these tools and the peson fitting you has a giant binder with the sizing for every model of road bike ever made. Picking out a size is fairly easy, but the stem, seat setback and crank length make a huge difference aswell. I Know John Henrys has the tool, Caps in New west does, and I think BSP has one too. Dont use those internet fitting sites to determine anything other than your size, and then size will vary +- up to 2cm with some companies.

Ps. For commuting I wouldnt get a road bike. Get a Touring bike or a performance hybrid, youll have alot more tire options, more powerful brakes, and a better range of gears, aswell as the ability to run panniers. Personally id go for a Devinci Sydney or a Marin Point Reyes.

[XXX_er]

why don't you just get a used hardtail X-counrty bike,something about 7 years old

like an old kona race light cindercone/rocky thro on some ultra skinny slicks and spd pedals and you are good to go for way less money

anbd you got something that is more stable than a performance road bike

[seand]

because this bike is going to be a touring bike once i get in better shape. i plan on riding down to sanfran and back up and then eventually across the country. so a 7 year old xc bike wont really cut it.

im getting a good hookup on cost, so that isnt a big concern of mine.

hmmm molested by roadie tools..sounds fun.

[XXX_er]

ok so this is the 1st time you mentioned touring

then you really need a touring bike not a hot road M/C that I had pictured

A touring bike has different angles,wheels,brakes,gears than a roadracing bike

that said I see alot of people touring on mtnbikes on the highways up north from all over the world and I would say its probably 50/50 mtn bike / touring bike

the coolest thing I seen was a couple towing BOB trailers with tri bikes ,full lycra/aero bars and man they were FLYING

[seand]

yeah i neglected to mention touring..

anyways, i went down to the local roadie hangout shop and spent a LONG time getting molested by measuring devices. i test road a small giant ocr1. man that thing felt great! what a fast and agile bike.

after i give this bike a full-on test ride for a good 50ish miles, ill have to buy it up if i still feel the same way, then shave my legs :)

[Shmoe]

Originally posted by Robot
And if you actually READ the post. I wrote sizing for SOME bikes. And if you actually went to the page and READ it, you'd see it was talking about Giant bikes which, IMO, would fall under the 'some' category.

I think Seand can figure out that the fit listing was for Giant bikes only. And, besides, it gives him some ballpark figures to work with.

I never understood why so many roadies were so anal.

Flame away.

wow.. sorry I offended you dude..

I was just trying to say that sizing changes from company to company. Ive seen it many times where someone gets sized for a 50cm compact frame, then goes out and buys a 50cm regular frame and they can hardly ride it.. Sorry.. just trying to help.

[XXX_er]

Originally posted by seand
yeah i neglected to mention touring..

anyways, i went down to the local roadie hangout shop and spent a LONG time getting molested by measuring devices. i test road a small giant ocr1. man that thing felt great! what a fast and agile bike.

after i give this bike a full-on test ride for a good 50ish miles, ill have to buy it up if i still feel the same way, then shave my legs :)

yeah but isnt that a full on sporty road bike?

for touring you have different needs,wider gear ratios for climbing loaded,relaxed angles ,stronger wheels as oposed to just light wheels,ability to mount racks ect.

I had a touring bike and it wasnt really very exciting to ride,more like borrowing yer grandfathers oldsmobile

I did a climb to my buddys house up on cranbrook hill with my road bike last nite and it was sheer hell,i needed more gears,couldnt imagine doing that kind of ride with gear.The only thing keeping me going was the heiniken at the top.I was wishing for more gears going up but the ride down was pretty wild

think about what your needs and wants are carefuly here

[seand]

its a sport roadbike, yeah. and its got crazy gearing.

the total cost of the bike is far less than any xc bike would cost me. so if the bike turns out to be a bike i can only ride 30ish miles a day on then so be it. i will turn around and look for a different bike. but ive been doing 20k on my freakin 55pound banshee, so being on a 17 pound roadbike will make for an easier life :lol:

[eddiebrannan]

dude forget sizing calculators. go to a good store and get fitted. it really is the only way. ps 54 is waaaaay too big for you

[seand]

yeah, ill be going with a small giant OCR1. it fit like a glove. total comfort too.

after i get the bike, ill swap the wheelset out for a pair of the Mavic Ksyrium Elites. itll be great :)


eddie -
i used the sizing calculator to get an idea of what i was going to ask for..always good to appear to know what you are talking about :D then once at the shop, they told me, "forgot everything about mountain biking, this is completely different", and they began to measure everything; i felt like i was getting fitted for a tux. anyways, after that, and 2 of them argueing about which bike is better, they handed me a giant ocr1 and sent me riding.

i have a feeling ill be putting more time in on the road than the dirt; well that is until it actually rains again.


http://www.giantbicycles.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2003/03-OCRIMA.jpg


just different colors

[eddiebrannan]

a beaut.

personally i'd never bother with a triple. after your chap you could climb a vertical wall in the 39 ring.

that's a terrific bike though - i love the mix of ultegra where it's needed and 105 where it's not so crucial. have em swap out that gay-ass stem at the store and you're set

enjoy that

[seand]

;) yeah that stem is going to go.

i know i dont need a triple, but its a compromise from having a single on my chap.

do you still have a pic of that road bike you posted a while back? that black stealthy beauty?

[808]

yeah, a good bike shop will have a crazy fitting machine and someone knowledgable that will get you set up just right...

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by seand
yeah, ill be going with a small giant OCR1. it fit like a glove. total comfort too.


Congrats on the new bike. Glad to hear the small fit you.

You should hook up with Ned for some road rides. Send me a pm if you want to climb Seymour some time.

[Purecanadianhoney]

I ride an OCR 1 and I LOVE it - I would recommend it without any hesitations. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. :)

[seand]

a ride up seymour? oh yeah! ive wanted to do that climb, just not on a big bike.


pch - so you love yours, eh? sweet! how much did yours run you when you got it?

[Purecanadianhoney]

I didn't pay for mine - it was a gift. Very touching story actually - and to make it short I had just purchased a OCR 2 from a friend and then promptly got run over with it. (after being hit by another car just a day before AND having been injured at my job). I was so sad when my bike was destroyed as riding and being on a bike is such a huge part of my life - and as I found myself in the middle of a huge medical and legal nightmare I really couldn't afford a new one. So, two cherished friends built up the OCR 1 for me to use and then eventually made it mine. The bike is obviously incredibly special to me as a result, and having said all that I would love it anyways. I feel so zippy and free on it, I love how agile it feels. It makes me feel like I can fly. :)

[eddiebrannan]

Originally posted by seand
;) yeah that stem is going to go.

i know i dont need a triple, but its a compromise from having a single on my chap.

do you still have a pic of that road bike you posted a while back? that black stealthy beauty?

that's not black that's raw ti

http://bb.nsmb.com/newforum/attachment.php?s=&postid=430195

[Ned]

What kind of frame is that Ti bike Eddie?

[eddiebrannan]

some weird bootleg thing made by a company that doesn't exist any more called nicoletti engineering. i got it when the company were going out of business and the dude there said they'd been the original framebuilders for airborne. who knows? anyway it was all straight guage 3/2.5 tubing so a budget ti frame. but man it was awesome. super super whippy from the short seat stays and when you got out of the seat and stomped the front wheel would pop up cause of the short stays and wheelbase. that bike rocked. i had to sell it in the end but i wish i still had it or could get another one of those frames. amazing handling. i can only imagine what a serotta or colnago feels like

[Ned]

Hmmm, it looked like an older Airborne based on the seatstays and chainstay crimping. A few guys race on that style of Airborne frame around here. Too bad you had to flog it.

The Serotta's I've seen are mucho nice. The 'Nago's you speak of ride sweet, ie: Ovalmaster and CT, both of which guys I work with own. Although, I'll fess up that my steel 'Nago rides damn near as well for what it is.

[eddiebrannan]

i'd have a steel road bike in a second. colnago no question

[Ned]

Sean, I'd buy the OCR with the disc tabs on it and build it out with disc hoops. Otherwise get a TCR as the frame is set up to handle a little quicker and will be more fun as you start to recognize the handling traits of skinny treads. Just me though...