Road Cycling - Money is in Hand...just getting up the nerve...

I picked out my bike.

2004 Colnago Mix. Full Centaur (probably pedals as well but I'm not sure at this point). Campagnolo zonda wheelset.

I'm just doing a last second check...The colour scheme I want is a 57cm. I think I should probably buy a 58 or even 59 (one bike store told me 61 but I'm thinking they were a little crazy). I'm 6'2 34" inseam. According to the measurements at competitivecyclist.com they say that I should be between 57.9-60. I think that I'm not stretching it (or cramping it as the case may be) to much with a 57...am I? I cant' test ride the bike because its sitting in the warehouse. I test road a 53sloping (colnago rapid) which has similar sizing to a 57 and it felt ok, but I didn't spend more than 10 minuites on it and you can make anything feel good in that amount of time (except for bad positioning on cleats :( )

So any colnago owners out there want to share there inseam/height bike size? The mix has the same geometry as all the bikes right up to the c50.


(and if anyone wants to tell me if the campy pedals are worth the same as a mid range pair of looks, I'm looking at the centaur pedals...I want to keep the whole bike italian :) ITM stem/bars colnago seat/post etc; )


Thanks!
Chad

As a side note they have a 58 in black / white (not a bad colour) and a 59 in black/white/yellow. The one I am ordering is PRAL (spider w/ blood red ) Very cool. Don't expect to see anyone else with the same bike out here!

Depending on how Colnago measures their frames, a 61 may not be too large. Whatever you do, do not spend that much money on a bicycle that does not fit you.

Depending on how Colnago measures their frames, a 61 may not be too large. Whatever you do, do not spend that much money on a bicycle that does not fit you.


Well, like I said according to the print out I got from cc.com it said 57.8-60.9 was acceptable sizes of frames. So 57 isn't really that much off... .8 ? is 1cm that much of a difference? I dont want to have a huge stem and set back saddle but I am trying to picture how much of a difference 1cm is going to make? I do alot of climbing if that makes a difference (someone said a smaller bike is better for climbing then a really long bike).

Chad

Well, like I said according to the print out I got from cc.com it said 57.8-60.9 was acceptable sizes of frames. So 57 isn't really that much off... .8 ? is 1cm that much of a difference? I dont want to have a huge stem and set back saddle but I am trying to picture how much of a difference 1cm is going to make? I do alot of climbing if that makes a difference (someone said a smaller bike is better for climbing then a really long bike).

Chad

smaller bike is lighter, and hence better for climbing. a 1cm difference is a lot on a bike for anything. a 1cm diff in saddle height can be painful. same for stem length, etc. nonetheless you can compensate with a longer stem, say, 130/140, which is what the racers use and is just fine. so you'll probably be fine.

sd

I picked out my bike.

2004 Colnago Mix. Full Centaur (probably pedals as well but I'm not sure at this point). Campagnolo zonda wheelset.

I'm just doing a last second check...The colour scheme I want is a 57cm. I think I should probably buy a 58 or even 59 (one bike store told me 61 but I'm thinking they were a little crazy). I'm 6'2 34" inseam. According to the measurements at competitivecyclist.com they say that I should be between 57.9-60. I think that I'm not stretching it (or cramping it as the case may be) to much with a 57...am I? I cant' test ride the bike because its sitting in the warehouse. I test road a 53sloping (colnago rapid) which has similar sizing to a 57 and it felt ok, but I didn't spend more than 10 minuites on it and you can make anything feel good in that amount of time (except for bad positioning on cleats :( )

So any colnago owners out there want to share there inseam/height bike size? The mix has the same geometry as all the bikes right up to the c50.


(and if anyone wants to tell me if the campy pedals are worth the same as a mid range pair of looks, I'm looking at the centaur pedals...I want to keep the whole bike italian :) ITM stem/bars colnago seat/post etc; )


Thanks!
Chad

As a side note they have a 58 in black / white (not a bad colour) and a 59 in black/white/yellow. The one I am ordering is PRAL (spider w/ blood red ) Very cool. Don't expect to see anyone else with the same bike out here!


Check out this article on Colnago sizing...

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/colnago.shtml

I'm 5' 8" with 31.75 inseam and ride a Mix 50S (54cm) with 120 stem.

-Tak

Check out this article on Colnago sizing...

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/colnago.shtml

I'm 5' 8" with 31.75 inseam and ride a Mix 50S (54cm) with 120 stem.

-Tak


Thanks Tak...that article makes me understand what Brian at the bike shop is saying. He tells me I'll be fine with a 57cm. When I originally went in his store and asked for a 61 he looked at me like I was crazy. Then I said 59 after more research and he seemed to be ok with that. But originally he was saying 57.

Hrm. Lots of money if the bike doesn't fit just right. But still, I guess I should put more faith in his opinion. Everyone seems to revere the "old school" he was an olympian in the early 70's for cycling...and I have a picture of him winning a race in Toronto in 1969. I suppose that would qualify as old school thinking? Before people " started riding bikes that are too small for them?"

I'm trying to get unbiased opinions from people who have them because I know I'm biased to the paint job on the 57, and I'd hate to buy the bike just to look cool (and not regard fit). I'm buying a bike that is a piece of art...not a piece of art that just happens to be a bike :)

Chad

The most depressing thing that I can think of would be all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about how sensable dad was. Sorry, kids, the last check out of my account is going to the undertaker and it's going to BOUNCE! Go for it!

[homer simpson] Doooo it.......[/homer simpson]

chad

i would recommend getting the bike fitted by a reputable shop...either by a colnago dealer where you get the bike ...or pay for a proper fitting and order it elsewhere

you are buying an expensive bike...get it set up right and you will enjoy it much more...it sounds like you are unsure of your measurements and that can be trouble

i can not believe how much i enjoy my new road bike...it was properly fitted by the shop owner and it rides "perfectly"

i changed the seat and it was 1/2" off (the new one was thinner and it was not compensated for) and i could clearly feel the difference...the owner took one look ...made a quick change..... and it was back to normal

very small changes can really make a big difference...at least for me

I have an 87cm inseam (34.25"), and I was most comfortable on my 57cm Specialized (1999, non-sloping), until I busted it.

Have you checked out head tube lengths, and figured out how high you want your bars?

Having a long seat post isn't that big a deal, but not being able to space your steerer enough could stuff you up.

The problem is exactly my measurements. Every bike fits different, the colnago's seem to have very little difference in seat tube height when you look at the chart. As well I keep reading that the ideal position is over the wheels on a colnago.

And I am aware of the differences even 1/2" can make, on my mountain bike *which sees alot of road use* if i forget to raise the saddle after doing alot of technical off road riding (even if its only down a bit) I get alot of knee pain, which goes away when I'm fixed.

I'm starting to lean towards buying what would be considered an entry level bike (or maybe even less) to ride for the next while until I am 125% sure how I want to "sit" on my colnago and then just order one from my LBS (which has to be ordered from europe as they only have a 57CM in the paint/size/model i want) and wait for it to come in while doing group riding in my less than a colnago road bike. As it is right now I can only ride by myself and offroad as I cant keep up in a group (let alone time trials lol) on my mountain bike and I want to get comfortable riding in a group.

Which leads to my last problem, if I order the colnago like I am/was planning to do then I am going to be putting that bike at alot of risk racing in the entry level (whatever group that is) category with people who I hear seem to crash more than I like the thought of...so a "entry level bike" while not nearly as fast or as "nice" would not upset me if it crashed and bent a wheel. I dont want to replace campagnolo wheels on a bi-weekly basis though :(

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Keep in mind that I have been riding my mountain bike for years, for the last 2 years I've been working to much and not riding nearly enough. I just started making myself ride more than once a week (and even if I am worried it is going to rain, just motivation to ride faster) :)

I am young, compared to the guys I see in the shop buying colnagos, and I can buy it but I dont want to irresponsibly spend my money. That's the biggest issue. I don't need to have guys on Canadian Tire 500$ schwinn's passing me (schwinn has sora group on it :P )

What I mean by the above paragraph is that although I don't mind not being the fastest rider wearing full COLNAGO clothing on my spider bike I don't want to be doing something stupid. And I'm thinking that by entering the rookie racing category on a 4K bike I may be asking for trouble. As well I still haven't done any group rides with more than 3 or 4 people.

Oh and one final thing, though I can buy the 4000$ bike I still dont have pedals for it or any accessories or anything other than the bare bike. And I'd then be broke. And working massive over time to build my savings back up and to pay for the little things...all this takes out of my riding time. I would have lots more time to ride on a cheaper bike (with the colnago on order and not rushing to get it before the weather turns sour and I'm stuck inside on a trainer which I still have to buy :)

Looking for wisdom,
Chad

chad my man, there is no doubt you'd be dead broke if you got the colnago and you don't have the accessories. i like having near equivalent stuff on both my bikes, so that means an additional saddle bag, comp, pump, water bottle holders, rear light, multitool/hex-set, tire patch kit, and possibly tires. that's a lot of dough right htere, never mind a few extra pairs of cycling shorts and jerseys.

an OCR-1/2/3 is an excellent entry-level bike with a nice geometry and adjustable stem, so as you get used to the road bike you can slowly lower the stem and get into a racier position, and if you crash it, you won't feel bad at all, and it's light aluminium. in my opinion the ocr is really a great buy. so i'd say go for the entry-level or a nice used bike. but whatever you do, get a bike you like/love, so that you'll take care of it and you'll ride it a lot.

sd

Well I just got back from the colnago dealership (where I would/will be buying my bike in the future) and they had an ORYX road bike on sale (full sora group...not great but it works and if its tuned up right works well enough). on sale even 699$CDN +tax w/ crappy pedals which I'm getting him to take off and throw in some M-505 mtn bike pedals so I can keep my same shoes.

But then he showed me a Jamis aurora (chromo touring bike) so I'm debating (jamis is 100$ more but has the mounts for saddle bags and what not) so when I'm done with the bike I can use it as a touring bike and carry stuff. The geometry on the oryx is a nice racing geometry...aluminum bike with chromo or alu fork (not carbon for sure though :)

I am going to get one of those two, I like the oryx because its "cooler" looking and on sale :) But I like the idea of having a use for the bike when I get my new bike next year.

Only thing is will the really heavier weight of the touring bikes wheels and what not make it really cruddy for group riding / entry level racing (assuming I get the 700x28 tires off it and put on the same 700x23's that are on the oryx) or should I just get the orxy and use it as a trainer bike/ bad weather (which is what I would do with either of them...just the jamis does have those racks)

Both fit me and both are decent enough to make me happy. I just never had considered a touring bike...though it seems to make sense...

Ideas?
Chad

hard to say, i like to commute on a racing bike for what it's worth. from the websites, the oryx looks like it's about a pound lighter. don't know about the durability of the rims/wheels. the bikes are different though, since one is alu and the other is steel. i'd say since you like the oryx more, get hte oryx. when you finally decide to splurge on a high end bike, you can get a seat-post rack for the race bike from MEC... might not be able to fit fenders, but frankly, when it rains and you're biking, saving your rain jacket from dirty doesn't make an ounce of difference, and whatever bag you use in your rack better be waterproof anyway.

sd