Road Cycling - Lbs Bs Help!

While looking for a new bike, one LBS told me that a Medium Sequoia would fit me perfect, while another told me that a Large was the right size, amazing that each only had that size in stock???? Who to trust??? Bike fitting websites all have different answers, test riding short distances can not give you a positive answer...........advise, suggestions.......personal experiences?
Thanks!

The way I see it you have a few opions. You could make your own opinion of what fits you best and give each of the two sizes a lengthly test. You could bring another person with you to check you out for size on each bike. Or you could pick a 3rd party who has both in stock and see what they reccommend. Is your heart set on this bike? Perhaps a different bike would suit you best. In general, it seems, that small medium large fitting isnt as good as the measurment sizing, 48,50,52,54,56, etcc.. purly because of the difference in the nmumber of sizes.

Well you already found out what makes a shop bad. They try to shove you what they stocked. They can easily just order you another size. That is if you are willing to wait.

Many customers do not want to wait and buy what is instock and later complain that the bike sucks. The bike doesn't suck, they simply got the wrong size because they could not wait a few days.

On the other hand you already saw how many websites give you different sizes. This I really hate and wish these sites would not do that as is get many customers thinking that website is really reputable bu offering that and far too many people are buying wrong frames. Mainly because they rather not listen to a real person with my many many years experience in all of cyclings aspects over a computer.

To me it is funny that people think a computer and a guy behind the coputer on the other end they have no idea whom it is is more trusted than a person like me with all my experience. But it happens.

It ends up hurting shops like ours here as people just want to buy the size the site told them and do not want to hear my real fit. So they buy wrog size and shops take a huge loss on a return. That is why many shops are no longer taking returns on frames.

These websites are simply generic formulas. We are all individuals with different likes. Just because two individuals are the same height doesn't mean they like the same frame. One may need a short (top tube) frame over the other. Not to forget that all frames are different. Not all 56cm frames are identical.

Just to add to the confusion but also to learn a little more. I am new at this and have read several sources for tips on fit. One thing struck me in two of the books I have. One recommended that if you were going to error, error on the small end. The other recommended that you error on the large end.

Ok - for a learner, which is it and why?:)

I would error on the small size. Why? Longer stems are available and lay-back and/or offset seatpost, can "stretch" frames to fit. You can't go smaller on too big a frame.

The other thought if the bike only comes in Small, Medium,Large, is that you may fit within the wide parameters of each and fit on both a Medium and a Large. So, both shops might be right!

Ask if you can take the bikes for a longer test ride, like 20-30 minutes. If you brought in your pedals and brought the bike back w/o wrecking it, I don't see why there would be a problem.

L8R

Originally posted by Xavier

To me it is funny that people think a computer and a guy behind the coputer on the other end they have no idea whom it is is more trusted than a person like me with all my experience.

Xavier,

Last time I checked Bulltek was internet only, has this
changed?

Marty