Cyclocross - Ridley Crossbow Sizing

Yet another confused by Ridley geometry! I'm 5'11 with a 32/33 inside leg and ride an old steel Serotta Road bike with 57 C/C Seat Tube and 56 C/C Top Tube length (11 stem). It has a 83 cm standover height.

The Ridley Crossbow 56 bike which I thought I would buy has a 56 T/T but a massive 85 cm standover. The Ridley 54 has a better standover of 83 cm but a 54.5 T/T.

I will use it for the occasional Cross race but mostly on forestry track, fields and trails, and even the guy in the shop said either would do ( 56 better for road, 54 for off road). I'm now thinking I'll get the 54 and just hope I'm not too cramped. Does that sound right?

I'm 6,1 and I race a GREAT fitting 54cm Supercross with a 120mm stem (my bike is BIG). The seat tube on a 54cm Ridley is 58cm. So by most standards, it's a 58. If I were you, I'd be looking at a 52 for racing or a 54 for trail use. ONLY talk to Ridley riders about Ridley's. The other 99% of the cycling community has NO idea how they fit.

This is a real importnat point.

I ride a 56 x 56 Guerciotti road bike. I t fits like a glove.

I bought a 56 x 56 Guerciotti Cross frame - which is a mile too big.

The bottom bracket height is a full 1.5 cm higher and the big over-sized top tube raises the standover even more.

Standover hits 85 cm - like the Ridley.

Gotta pay attention to the the BB height or the othe stuff doesn't matter.

I now have a Guerciotti frame and fork I can't use - too big.

Thanks, thats a big help, I was hoping some Ridley riders would respond. I searched this forum and also found that someone who rides a 57 C/C Road bike is considering a 54 Ridley. Considering that my hard core Cross racing days are over (I have a broken collar bone to prove it) and I'll use it mostly for Trails, Parks, Road and Commute (OK I'll do some Cross racing, be a waste not to) I think the 54 Crossbow will do the job. The standover height will be the same as my Road bike, but should be enough for what I'll do.

You'll LOVE your Ridley. The Crossbow is the exact same frame as the Supercross, minus the carbon stays. If I hadn't got a great deal on the S-cross, I would be on a Crossbow. :beer:

The shop has a Crosswind frame in stock which looks real nice ! ... but a factory built 54cm Crossbow is £999 (and I'm getting it tax free from my company) and that should do me nicely. Maybe I'll look for a used 52cm Supercross or Crosswind for racing ... can't have enough of a good thing.

Get the 54cm. I have a 54cm Ridley cross and a 54cm Salsa cross and they fit pretty similarly. I'm 6'1"...

Ta. I leaning towards the 54 as well. I'm probably stuck between 52 and 54, but the 54 will suit more general riding as well as cross. Its been pissing down here for weeks, can't wait to get it muddy!

So how much stand over clearance do you 6'1" riders have on a 54cm Ridley?

So how much stand over clearance do you 6'1" riders have on a 54cm Ridley?

I;d really like to know the answer to this one.

So how much stand over clearance do you 6'1" riders have on a 54cm Ridley?


The seat tube is a 58cm. I'd say just the right ammount for someone that races cross and would be considered tall by anyone outside the NBA.

In fact... I wish I had a bit more. A "54" Ridley is a hella big bike. My 54, with a 120mm stem would be HUGE on anyone under six foot.

The seat tube is a 58cm. I'd say just the right ammount for someone that races cross and would be considered tall by anyone outside the NBA.

In fact... I wish I had a bit more. A "54" Ridley is a hella big bike. My 54, with a 120mm stem would be HUGE on anyone under six foot.


What is the measured standover with CX tires on it??