Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - A question of fit...

Okay, I'm not really sure what needs adjusting right now, but something ain't right, and I'm hoping you guys can help me a bit.

I'm 5'10", 31" inseam, bike is a 53 2008 IRO Angus. The stem is a 110mm Nitto Dynamic Tall.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9370/n51401135311198298551hj3.jpg

The only changes, I fixed the seat angle a bit, re-wrapped the bars to the center, and adjusted the bar angle to make the tops more usable.

Now, here's the thing. As it is now, I feel very stretched out. When I'm on the tops I feel okay, on the lack-of-hoods, okay, but stretched out, in the drops, almost never happens, I'm not that long.

My inclination is to believe that the bars are just too high, I feel as though I want to be more "on top" of the bars, whereas right now I'm sort of reaching out to them. As to why I would buy such a tall stem to begin with, well, I needed a stem, and my options were rather limited at the time. The reason I went with a longer stem is that I figured, given my height and the size of my frame, I should compensate with a longer stem.

I'm pretty much just torn between getting a stem with less height and less length, and a stem with less height but the same length, but I'd really rather not get yet another "wrong" stem, seeing as how my local lbs shops have no selection of quill stems to speak of, so I'm gonna have to order this one online.

So, what do you guys think?

What bike had you ridden before this one? I ask because a 53cm bike for your size really shouldn't be too small for that frame and maybe you're just not used to the geometry yet. My MASI took a while to get used to because I was used to being alot more upright, and I felt too "stretched" at first as well.

As for the bars being high, lowering them will put them further away from your shoulders, which should make you feel even MORE stretched, not the other way around

Too small.

You may want to look into a 56 IRO frame; true it will be a little longer in the TT, but looking at your picture your saddle height seems pretty high for that size frame forcing you to use an unconventional stem set up in order to move the top of the bars closer to the top of saddle. On a 56 you'll end up with much less drop from saddle to bars, you may need to go down to a 100 stem too. At 5'10" 31cm inseam you'd probably fit a 56 fine-you may want to recheck your inseam measurement. You may want to try a more conventiontal road bar too, looks like you have some more aggressive track bars there. Hope this helps

Too small. It's not a compact geometry frame but the post is sticking out like it is.

^Agreed.

At 5'10", a 53 is probably just too small. With that much stem and that much seatpost it has to be. Look out for a 56.

..

he's got too much stem showing regardless, imagine that frame a 56 or 58 and that stem is still way too high.

you do need a bigger frame though, unless you want to keep looking like a stem goober.

I agree with everyone else - frame too small and bars too high. You need a 56. Your saddle also seem pointed with the nose up. Generally the seat should be completely level. Having it the way you do tends to force you away from the bars and lean back. Try adjusting the saddle and see how the reach is then.

I am aware the frame is small on me, but me legs aren't long enough for a 56. That 31" is my cyclists inseam, from the floor to my junk, in shoes. 31.5" if I really jam it in there, which gives me half an inch. Maybe it's do-able, maybe not, I don't really want to drop another $400 to find out.

I should re-iterate, I wasn't "forced" to get a tall stem because of the frame size, I was forced to get a tall stem because that was all I could find. I got a LONGER stem because I was compensating for, what I assumed, was a TT that would be a bit too short for me.

Maybe I just need to get a bit more flexible. This is my first bike with drops, so maybe I still need to get accustomed to them. I'll try doing some stretches to limber up the ol' center mass and see if it's any more comfortable.

And StanSeven, I have levelled the saddle since this pic was taken.

Standover height isn't really what you should base a bike size on. It has to do more with tob tube length. Besides, seeing as how your seat is reaching towards Heaven...I don't think you'd have a problem riding a 56cm...your legs seem plenty long enough to ride a 56.

What kind of bike do you usually ride? That could explain why you're not used to the "stretched" out seating position on the Mark V.

But I really agree with most of the replies and say you should get a 56. Sell your current frame and get a new one.

I don't know why you wouldn't use normal stem/bullhorns without drop instead of your track bars/grant peterson stem.

your bike is too small

Man, this is like the incident in the locker room in the 9th grade all over again...

I don't know why you wouldn't use normal stem/bullhorns without drop instead of your track bars/grant peterson stem.

I NEVER WANTED THAT STEM. It was a matter of necessity. It was either that, or spend twice as much on a Jaguar that would be WAAAAAAAAAAAY to low for me, or trawl craigslist, or not have a complete bike. I figured, I'll get this, and replace it when I have a chance.

I have a chance.

Right now I'm looking for a stem with less quill extension. I was undecided as to whether I should get one which is shorter horizontally as well. That's really my only question right now.

I was, however, considering bullhorns anyway, since I use the hoods more often than not, and, without actual hoods, the hoods are less than ideal.

my input is try a much shorter stem, say 80 or 90ish, and without the extra long quill. if you still feel too stretched out, try a more upright bar.

my point with the stem is that you seem to be using the drops (since that's where the tape is.) so if that's the height you are after, then there are other ways to achieve that height without a weird quill height and subsequent drop due to the track drops. (a la bullhorns or risers with a normal quill stem.)

my point with the stem is that you seem to be using the drops (since that's where the tape is.) so if that's the height you are after, then there are other ways to achieve that height without a weird quill height and subsequent drop due to the track drops. (a la bullhorns or risers with a normal quill stem.)

I know, I know, but what I'm saying is, achieving that height was never my intention. I agree with you, the two set-ups would be comparable, and yours wouldn't look as dumb, but this setup is far from ideal.

Also, small sticking point, they're road drops, not track.

53 is definitely too small. i ride a 54 and im only 5'7

54 for 5' 7" sounds too big...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/onemby30/l1l_nito_techn_tall_stem.jpg

Problem solved.

Click HERE (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO). Measure yourself, put in the stats and read up on the various fits (French, Eddy & Competitve) and see what you think.

is my frame too small??

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/probikes/filippo_pozzato_cannondale_supersix08/fp_cs_complete_bike.jpg

Quick update. I went ahead and picked up a 90mm pearl stem from Ben's. While I was at it, I decided to get a nice 250mm Thomson seatpost, and a 17t EAI cog and a new DA lockring for the other side of my hub.

I feel SOOOOO much more comfortable now. I was right, a little less extension and a bit of saddle-to-bar-drop was just what I needed. It also doesn't look goofy as **** anymore.

On a side note, the new cog solved the chain noise problem I was having with my 16t DA cog. This mother has finally been SILENCED.

Also, the seatpost just looks great, and is a joy to adjust. I'm glad to finally ditch the no-name super-long 440mm generic clunker post I was running.

I'm so happy right now! I'll post some updated pics in the pic thread when I get a chance to take them.