[markvw3]

I am looking at a '04 Bianchi Axis that is size 55. I am mountain biker looking to expand my horizons and help out with my endurance. I am 5'11" with a 31 1/2" inseem. Do you think the 55 will fit? Should I hold out and order a 57? Do 2 cm make that much difference? I have always riden L mt. bikes for Specialized and Santa Cruz. Please help ...

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[Revtor]

57 will be too big..
55 might be just right. (or a bit too big even)..
sit on a 53 if you can!!

~Steve

[Chop]

I recently bought a Surly Cross-check. I'm 6' with a 34" inseam (measured to the floor).

I was going to order a 58cm, the LBS talked me into a 56cm. Good thing I listened- the 56 fit great after they put a SHORTER stem on it. The 58 would have been too big for me.

[happycx]

As a former owner (loved the bike-needed the money) of a Bianchi Axis, I would stay away from the 57cm. More importantly, I think Bianchi's measurements are off. I had a 57 and am 5'11" with a 32" inseam. It was TALL. In fact, the top tube stretched me out a bit (not to mention the spec call for a 120 stem, which made it very long). Some say that you should fit it just like a road bike, others say a size smaller. I agree that the best thing to do is to find one and size it, but I would tell you that if I bought another one, it would be a 55cm. 2cms make a huge difference because when you subtract that amount, it changes all of the other lengths due to consistent geometry throughout a line. Be careful, the sloping top tube (very slight) gives people undeserved confidence.

BTW, I was fitted. Highly recommend! Hope this helps!

I am looking at a '04 Bianchi Axis that is size 55. I am mountain biker looking to expand my horizons and help out with my endurance. I am 5'11" with a 31 1/2" inseem. Do you think the 55 will fit? Should I hold out and order a 57? Do 2 cm make that much difference? I have always riden L mt. bikes for Specialized and Santa Cruz. Please help ...

[markvw3]

Thanks everyone. The shop only has a 55 which seemed to fit me pretty good during my test runs. I was just worried that I may be missing something by not trying the 57. Looks like if the 55 feels right - it is ...

[mjw16]

I just got a Cross Check frameset (which I'm currently building) in 60 cm. I'm 6' 2" and have a 33-34" inseam. I was fitted on other brands before ordering the Cross Check online. Now that I have the frame it looks huge. I'm a little worried that it will be too big. I'm planning to use it mainly for commuting, road rides, and touring and as such went one size bigger as recommended elsewhere (opposite of the mountain bike and CX philosophy of one size smaller). The 21" Cove that I'm currently riding looked big too but fits just perfect so I'm encouraged the the Cross Check will turn out the same way.

[chadlewis76]

"I am 5'11" with a 31 1/2" inseem."

Those are my exact measurements, and I have a 55. The owner of my LBS sized me up for it himself.

[Rooker]

Hi Markvw3;
I just ordered an Axis 58. The owner of the LBS let me ride his (which is a 3 year old Axis 58). I thought it felt good even though he had a longer stem installed. I'm 6' with a 34 inseam - I'm pretty much all legs with a shorter trunk. If you read this, let me know if the 55 felt good. According to the Bianchi website the measures go from 55 to 58. http://www.bianchiusa.com/axis.html
Good luck.

[RedPill]

I am looking at a '04 Bianchi Axis that is size 55. I am mountain biker looking to expand my horizons and help out with my endurance. I am 5'11" with a 31 1/2" inseem. Do you think the 55 will fit? Should I hold out and order a 57? Do 2 cm make that much difference? I have always riden L mt. bikes for Specialized and Santa Cruz. Please help ...


(31.5 in. X 0.65) X 2.54cm/in. = 52.0

[velocipedio]

(31.5 in. X 0.65) X 2.54cm/in. = 52.0
if he's 5'11" then his 31.5 inch inseam is the inseam of his jeans, and not the standard crushed-testicles-to-floor inseam measurement. unless he does that measurement, there's no way to know for sure. most likely, at 5'11", his ineam measurement is about 81-82 cm [if he's normally proportioned]. acording to the cyrile guimard formula, that gives a 54-55 cm frame. if the axis has a sloping top tube, then he should consider going up a size, unless he suffers from dwarfism. in any case, the 52 cm axis will be a bit short in the top tube...

[Arsbars]

57 will be too big..
55 might be just right. (or a bit too big even)..
sit on a 53 if you can!!

~Steve


I agree. :)

[markvw3]

Thanks everyone for the info. I ended up getting the 55 and it feels pretty good. Did my first real ride on some fireroads and trails around San Francisco and Golden Gate park. What a blast. Even got some props from a roadie or two. I am going for an official fitting this week and I can invision a new stem with a slight rise to help with comfort. At least I can bring the bike in dirty.

[Chop]

Thanks everyone for the info. I ended up getting the 55 and it feels pretty good. Did my first real ride on some fireroads and trails around San Francisco and Golden Gate park. What a blast. Even got some props from a roadie or two. I am going for an official fitting this week and I can invision a new stem with a slight rise to help with comfort. At least I can bring the bike in dirty.

:beer: Best of luck!