Road Cycling - Frame Size?? Help Please

I am thinking about buying a bike over the interent and I am not sure what frame size I need.
I am 6 foot 0 inches tall and I were size 32 inch inseem pants.
Can someone please tell what size frame would probably work best for me?
Also, is better to error on the size of too big or too small and why?
Thanks very much in advance!
Lance

Go to www.wrenchscience.com and figure it out.It's only a colse appeoximation though. Better than guessing,or asking someone else who won' know anyway and will just be guessing too.Better way,go to LBS and ride some.You should be around a 57/58,depending on how it's measurred and keep in mind that frames are measured c-c,c-t and c-top of an extended seat tube or collar.Helps to know what you are doing if ordering on line.

hey lance,

I posted a thread very similar to yours a week or two ago, and just ordered a frame over the internet. One of the best pieces of advice that I got was to go to wrenchscience.com. There is program on that site that will tell you what size frame you will need. It will even recommend a stem length. It will take 6 important measurements in determining a ideal frame size---height, sternum notch, inseam, arm length, weight, flexibilty, and shoe size. It will give you step by step instructions on how to best get those measurements. For instance, there is a very specific way to measure your "bike inseam" length. Lance, you wear a 32 inch inseam pant, but after measuring with the "book jammed up your ass method" your true "bike" inseam measurement will likely be 34 to 34 and a half inches--- significantly different than using your pant inseam size.
After all the measurements are done, you can then use the program to choose a frame from a variety of manufacturers. The program takes into account the different geometries and subtleties of the various manufacturers. For instance, it might recommend a 58 cm frame with a 100mm stem for say a Colnago C40, and when you choose the De Rosa Merak, it will recommend a 58cm frame with a 90mm stem. It might tell you need a 59 cm frame when you choose a Litespeed.

I used this program to order my frame and stem size. Hopefully it will be damn close to what I need. Right now, I am waiting patiently for the frame to arrive. I have yet to order all the components. When I finally get all the parts and the bike put together, I'll be able to judge whether wrench science's computer sizing program really and truly works. I am fully expecting to do some tweaking!!!my 2 cents.....good luck

Originally posted by lance
I am thinking about buying a bike over the interent and I am not sure what frame size I need.
I am 6 foot 0 inches tall and I were size 32 inch inseem pants.
Can someone please tell what size frame would probably work best for me?
Also, is better to error on the size of too big or too small and why?
Thanks very much in advance!
Lance

you should start off by choosing a frame/bike company you might like to purchase or test ride...and then study their geometries to see what size will fit you best...because most companies frame geometry differ from others...

for instance, if i said you need a 58cm frame, and you looked into cannondale and colnago, you'd get two differently fitted frames...both would have 58cm seat tubes, but the cannondale would have a 57.5 top tube, and the colnago only a 56.3 top tube...over a centimeter shorter. you could always compensate with a longer stem length, but its probably better off to get the frame to fit as close as possible so you don't end up with too short a stem or too long of one.

i'd check out wrenchscience.com which was posted above. although it "sort of" gave me the right numbers when i tried it, it all comes down to personal preference. if you are flexible and like a more stretched out riding position look for a bike with a longer top tube, like the cannondale. or you might have a shorter torso, and would like a shorter top tube like that of a colnago...

i'd definately get some numbers to start off with from the wrenchscience, and then go to a few shops and sit on the bikes they have there to see...good luck doood :)

I would think somewhere between a top tube of 57 cm. to 58 cm. might be alright. You are the same size as me. It would be helpful to find a bicycle dealer that sells complete bikes of the make that you want. I have bikes that have 57, 57.5 anf 58 cm. top tubes, it all depends on the company and how they measure there bikes. You might end up experimenting with stem length and stack height. Some high end shops have a bike measureing device made by Serrotta. I recentlly went up to Boston to drop the $65 on a fit, however they happened to have a Litespeed 'classic' there with a 57.5 top tube and it fit, I did not have to spend the cash. I too bought through the internet. Good luck