Does size matter?

[white_feather]

Now that I got your attention, I have been looking at Bianchi Pistas to buy. So many of them are 57cm to 61cm. As far as road frames go I should ride a 52cm. Is there a difference as far as track frames go? I am 5'8" on a good day. What should I do? Is there a chart to look at for track cycling fit?

[queerpunk]

Yes, there's a difference. Track frames usually have a slightly higher bottom bracket, so the seat tube measurement will be equivalent to a slightly larger bike. combined with a slightly different preferred body positioning on track bike (versus road), this usually leads to the suggestion that somebody ride a track bike that's 1 cm smaller than ideal road size. Of course, there's lots of variation based on body proportions (long legs, long arms...) and preference...

What should you do? You should test ride a 52cm and see if you like it.

[SkyeC]

Try a 51 or 53 pista and see how you like it. I'm the same height and ride anywhere from a 50 to a 53 depending on the bike.

[diff_lock2]

I thought this was going to be about muscles.

[jroth]

1. take a test ride. Not just around the block. Ride it for a while.
2. Check the fit with some who will do more than just have you step over the top tube and check clearance.

just my 2 cents.

joel

[The Carpenter]

It's all about your proportions. My daughter is 5'-6" and rides a 55cm Pista Concept.
Get fitted.

[isotopesope]

Track frames usually have a slightly higher bottom bracket, so the seat tube measurement will be equivalent to a slightly larger bike.
that's not exactly true. the seat tube measurement will still be the same, but the stand over height will be taller with a higher bb. once you're on the bike, the standover is irrelevant.

[Quinn8it]

I am over 5'9" and ride the 53cm pista. I tend to ride a smaller frame, but I would say the 51cm or the 53cm is the right place for you to start.

I would recommend measuring your top tube on another bike that fits you and looking for the correct track frame based on that number. I recently found that after some minor adjustments to all my rides (track, road, and fixed/trainer) I ended up with the exact same "cockpit length on all three bikes. I knew the general top tube/stem combo length that I preferred based on a pro fit from a year ago, but the seat fore/aft, was adjusted based on little tweaks for comfort. All of the bikes were within a couple mm of each other.