[I Like Bikes]

I am interested in getting a Bianchi Axis but i am contemplating between the 49cm and the 44cm. I am 5'4" with a 29-39 inch inseam...can you please help me?

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[Surferbruce]

well not sure how much it helps but i'm 5'10 with about a 32" inseam and have a 55cm Axis. i'm taking a stab but at 5'4" i'll bet you're a 49.

[I Like Bikes]

well not sure how much it helps but i'm 5'10 with about a 32" inseam and have a 55cm Axis. i'm taking a stab but at 5'4" i'll bet you're a 49.

Ya, thats what i thought too, but i heard that people that are like 5'6" are getting it and that makes me think that i should get a 44, but i just think that that would be to small, because i am going to be growing a lot...so i think that i am going to go for the 49. anyone ride this bike or any others that are just like the Axis?
Like fuji or other brands...thank you

[SAB]

I'm 5'6" and rode a 52cm Axis, which was way too big. If were getting one I'd get the 49. Ideally you would try both a 44 and a 49 to see for sure. You could probably ride the 44, but if you plan and doing some more growing than perhaps the 49 would be a better choice.

[ZenNMotion]

44 sounds too small to me- you really should get fitted if you have no idea, but generally the top tube should be equal to, or 1 or 2 cm shorter than your road bike frame, assuming you are comfortable on that. If it's your first bike, go get fitted and buy the bike from a good shop, not online. The savings, if there are any, is not worth the risk of an ill-fitting bike. Paying a little for a fitting at a good shop is a worthwhile investment, especially if it's your first bike- you can talk about growing into a slightly larger frame, or trading it in later as you grow out of it. A used bike might make sense in this case, once you know what size you're looking for. Don't worry about brand names. Bianchi, Fuji, Jamis, Lemond, Redline, Kona, Surly, Gunnar, Cannondale and lots of others make good cross bikes. It really depends on what you're using it for. Some bikes are really built for racing, and not so comfy or good as all-rounders. Go to a shop, tell them what kind of riding you want to do, and how much you want to spend. Then you can ask more specific questions there, or here online. The Axis is more of an all-rounder than a cyclocross race bike, with the triple crank, and roadbike gears.

Not related, but this is good general advice for a junior rider-
http://www.wicycling.org/Forum/juniorHub/bikePurchase.htm

[BlastRadius]

5' 5" and the 49cm was the correct fit.

[I Like Bikes]

5' 5" and the 49cm was the correct fit.

awsome! sweet, thanks for the great feedback.....
andy
peace

[Waldo]

I'd also put you on the 49. The Axis runs a bit big.

[dessert1st]

I am interested in getting a Bianchi Axis but i am contemplating between the 49cm and the 44cm. I am 5'4" with a 29-39 inch inseam...can you please help me?

I'm 5'9" and ride a 52cm (whereas my road bike is a 55.5cm). My girlfriend is 5'8" and rides a 49cm. The Axis (and Cross Concept) run large.

One problem is that on the smaller sizes the top tube is sloped quite a bit, which makes it difficult to shoulder (not much room for getting your elbow through the frame triangle).

The 44cm may fit you better now, but if you think you'll grow some then go for the 49cm.

[Spike123]

I'm 5'5" with a 31 1/4 inseam and I ride a 49 cm Axis. I swapped the seatpost for a Salsa which has a pretty good amount of setback and I also have the saddle slid all the way back on the rails. However, that's the normal setup for me as I have really long femurs and a short torso. I didn't swap out the stem as the fit was spot-on with the stock stem though I did swap out the bars for some wider ones. FWIW, I was professionally Fit Kitted for the bike when I bought it and the guy that does the Fit Kitting really knows his stuff. The fit is spot-on and I have no complaints whatsoever. I take a 53cm road bike if that helps at all.

[Tom boyd]

I just bought a bike and was looking at the Axis. I am 5.5 with a 30 inch inseam. I was thinking 49 as well, then I ran into an new 2000 52 cm Axis. Fit and felt great. Not sure if you are talking about a new bike or not, but according the the Bianchi site, the geometry of the Axis changed (I think starting with 2002).

I have been told, by more than one person, that in cross bikes it is all about stand over height and top tube. I found myself fitting on a 48cm Gunnar, 49 cm Poprad, 50 cm Conquest and 52 cm Axis. My roadie is a 53cm Bianchi.

In short, try it on before you buy.