Road Cycling - 2004 Trek 5200 fitting

Ordered a 2004 5200, weird thing was when I was fitted, it was a very precise fitting-inseam arm length, shoulder width ect...All this data was entered into the computer and it spitted out 54cm, now I’m 5'8" with a 29.5 to 30 inseam. He had me sit on a 2300 model 56 cm (there was no 5200's available) on my request, it felt really comfortable and during the pedaling it felt great, then I tried the 2300 54cm,my upper torso felt kind of tight and when pedaling I felt kind of binded around the knees. On the 56 I saw the front axle before the bars; on the 54 it was completely blocked. After discussing it with him and it was an order item, I went with the 54cm, in the back of my mind I'm wondering if it was the right choice. What do you all think? Did I fall between sizes.-

I'm 5'10", and when I ordered my Trek 1500, they used a Fit Kit to get my measurements, entered that data into their computer, and it recommended a 54cm frame. I too tried a 56cm frame, but it felt "too big" to me. As far as the handlebars blocking the front axle, the rule of thumb is that the front axle should be blocked.

When you tried the 56cm models, how far was the seat post lowered? You generally don't want to max out any adjustments on the bike, if the seat had to be lowered almost all the way down, then that frame was too big for you.

Bike fit is a really personal thing, what works for you may not work for others. The computer program recommends a frame size for your measurements by matching up your measurements to a database of others that have similar measurements. The result is "on average, people with your measurements ride a ??cm frame."

Ordered a 2004 5200, weird thing was when I was fitted, it was a very precise fitting-inseam arm length, shoulder width ect...All this data was entered into the computer and it spitted out 54cm, now I’m 5'8" with a 29.5 to 30 inseam. He had me sit on a 2300 model 56 cm (there was no 5200's available) on my request, it felt really comfortable and during the pedaling it felt great, then I tried the 2300 54cm,my upper torso felt kind of tight and when pedaling I felt kind of binded around the knees. On the 56 I saw the front axle before the bars; on the 54 it was completely blocked. After discussing it with him and it was an order item, I went with the 54cm, in the back of my mind I'm wondering if it was the right choice. What do you all think? Did I fall between sizes.-

Professional fittings are only as good as the person doing the fitting. Of equal importance, in every mathemitcal equation and every computer program there is a tipping point where the results will change. In your case, you may be right at the tipping point between 54 and 56cm.

Secondly, the two demonstration bikes you sat on and pedaled, were they fitted to you, or did you just hop on and start pedaling? It is quite possible the 56cm was set up for someone who required a 54cm and the 54cm was set up for someone on the bottom end tipping point for a 52cm.

It will be your bike and your comfort is what is most important. If they cannot fit a 54cm to you to where you feel comfortable, tell them to get you a 56.

I'm 6' with a 33.75 inseam and I ride a 58 cm Trek 5500. I also ride a 57 cm Lemond Poprad and I'm building a 55 cm Lemond Mailliot Jaune. With the various ways components can be adjusted, all 3 are dialed in to be virtually the same fit.

The point is, the frame needs to be close but it's the rest of the components that make it perfect.

55/Rad

Every body type is different, but I am also 5' 8" and have a 30" inseam. My fit kit result recommended a 54cm. I have ridden and raced my 54cm Trek 5500 for 10 years now with no problems.

Was the length of the stem on the bikes the same? This can make a big difference. Also, I wonder if the top tube lengths on these two models are consistent with their geometries.

I think you should have asked us before you ordered, not after.

Both bikes were fitted to my dimensions (fitting kit with levels),Seat stem ect.. It just seemed when I pedaled on the 54 I pedaled oval,like i was bottoming out-that's were the binding came in.He did say that my knees were bent 15 degrees as the should on the 54-the seat on the 56 did look kinda bottomed out into the frame,54 was elevated higher off the frame .What I've read and asking other biker's is that the right size was selected,Trek 5200 56cm seem's to go to 5'10 plus individuals(also,54 in the trek catalog states small size:50cm XS-52-54cm Small- 56-58cm Medium- 60cm Large- XL 62cm).All I know is that the 56 seemed fluid and comfortable.Maybe when my 5200 arrives it'll feel better,geometry for the 2300 and 5200 are different-one of the reasons i leaned toward the computer results.Not including I got a fantastic deal on it, why I wasn't pushing it.Thanks

With a 29.5 inseam I may even gone with a 52 and gone with some longer cranks stem etc. The 54 with the standard 172.5mm crank is probably the largets you can go, otherwise your seatpost may be at the bottom. I know thos because I have a 29.5 inseam and I use a 54 Trek frame, I might try the 170mm cranks if I were you though, it will also smoothen out your pedalling stroke.

Both bikes were fitted to my dimensions (fitting kit with levels),Seat stem ect.. It just seemed when I pedaled on the 54 I pedaled oval,like i was bottoming out-that's were the binding came in.He did say that my knees were bent 15 degrees as the should on the 54-the seat on the 56 did look kinda bottomed out into the frame,54 was elevated higher off the frame .What I've read and asking other biker's is that the right size was selected,Trek 5200 56cm seem's to go to 5'10 plus individuals(also,54 in the trek catalog states small size:50cm XS-52-54cm Small- 56-58cm Medium- 60cm Large- XL 62cm).All I know is that the 56 seemed fluid and comfortable.Maybe when my 5200 arrives it'll feel better,geometry for the 2300 and 5200 are different-one of the reasons i leaned toward the computer results.Not including I got a fantastic deal on it, why I wasn't pushing it.Thanks

The first time I test road the 61cm Zurich, I also tested a 58cm 5200. Both were comfortable, but the Zurich had a lot better geometry for me. The bottom line is get the size on which you feel most comfortable.

I'm going back to the LBS tomorrow, a 92 mile trip one way, and test ride the 2300 56cm one more time, what a hassle. They ordered on Satuarday, no biggie, I imagine if they cancel one and reorder another. Better to know now then it being unboxed and built up for me to only reject it. Thanks for the input.

Test rode both bike's today,seem's I can put more power on the road with the Trek 1200 54cm then the Trek 2300 56cm frame.56 did seem smooth but I noticed I rode more casually on it too,on the 54 I got on it (probably why I felt more discomfort on my knees), concerning the pedaling bottoming out feeling,proper seat adjustment aft was done-readjust of seat height-felt much better overall. Not including the bike already shipped from Wisconsin,if I was going to do the change,a charge of $80.00 additional was going to happen,Whats that all about.So for my 5'8" frame and 30" inseam-54 cm- including a possible free of charge stem change to elimanate the upper torso binding sensation.Thanks for the input.

5'9", 32 inseam and ride a 54. It's all about comfort too - I was always reaching on the 56.

I'm exactly 5' 8.5" with a 30" inseam and I ride a 54 compact. I swapped the stem that came with it for a 90mm and it fits me perfectly.

Enjoy your bike.

-mark

geneman,I thought I was getting a undersized bike but after seeing your pic I now know I did well- Too Funny lol :)

A stem change can make all the difference. The best advice I've seen
is to first get your saddle adjusted correctly (fore/aft and up/down)
relative to the pedals, then fiddle with stems (length and/or rise) until
you feel best. Good luck!

I think most LBS fitters are out of their minds. They always try to fit me with a bike that is too small. I'll be damned if I'm going to spend $3000 on a bike that may or may not fit me tomorrow. Pisses me off.

My solution? I bought a Softride. I can adjust that baby anyway I want.

Race Condition, I agree completely, I'm just going to wait till my bike arrives and is built to test ride.I was test riding a 1200 , so maybe my 5200 with longer stem will be the DREAM ride I anticipate. The 2300 56cm sure did feel spot on thou. After all the personal fittings,just makes me wonder why they can't figure in the extra factor to the equation which is:don't question it-if the buyer say's I feel comfortable in it-drop your calculator and understand.I believe I've said enough.