SouthernShred

Hey all...6'4" 255lbs here (down from 284, yay) but I don't have a terribly long inseam, maybe 32/33 inches...again, not long for my height. Anyway, I've been shopping for my first bike since I was a kid and went to a few LBS and settled an a Trek FX series. At another shop, I tried a few road bikes and they sized me out on a Jamis Ventura Comp at 61cm. The LBS that carries the Trek had a 7.2FX in 20" and that seemed to fit really well. I guess long story short, I see a lot of the big guys on this forum buying 22.5", 25" frames...am I going too small with a 20" frame?

Shannon

rizla_green

hello congrats on the weight loss.
20" sounds a bit small to me, FX comes in:
20" = 50.8cm/
22.5" = 57.15cm/
25" = 63.5cm/

if you been sized at 61cm maybe try out the bigger 22.5 or 25 trek FX see how they fit.

bdinger

I'm 6 2 with a 32in inseam and I ride a 22.5" 7.3FX. Fits me quite well, and I'm very happy with how it fits. By comparison, my 19in Specialized Hardrock may be a tad on the small side for me, but that's allright, I'll take the extra clearance .

jskwarek

I'm 6'5" and 270# and identical inseem, picked up a 7.5FX a few months ago and it's a 25". The 22.5" I test rode was just to small for my liking. I think I could have got the seat a high enough, but I would have been pushing the limitations of the bar height.

Jason

SouthernShred

Interesting thoughts...both LBS said I should have 2 inches of clearance at stand-over...my inseam measures out to about 81/82 cm which equates to 32.4" inseam...standover on the 20" Trek is 30.4" leaving 2" clearance...Standover on the 22.5" and 25" is 32.1" and 33.9" respectively

rs hunter

One thing you should keep in mind is that "stand over" is highly over-rated. It's the frame's top tube length that's FAR more important. Just think about it, for proper leg extension, you can always adjust the seat post. Ever try to adjust your top tube?

SouthernShred

Understood...well...if they're telling me to get the 20" and they don't have anything bigger than a 20" in stock for me to try, what should I have them order? They actually said, get the 20 or 22.5"

bdinger

Heh, thaaat shed a little light on it .

Not that I would say they are trying to sell you what's in stock, but I've had places try to do that before.

Anyway, the 22.5 would *probably* be about perfect for you, but really it's hard to tell without also being able to try the 25. When I was buying my MTB I thought the 21in was great, but they built up a 19in so I could try that (right when the '07s came out, they didn't have many built yet). Lo and behold, it was perfect.

I would find the shop you like the best, and ask if they could order both a 22.5 and a 25 in for you to try, and that you will buy whichever fits you best. Generally I'd hope that they would agree to this, but don't be surprised if they are hesitant. You could also check Trek's website for other dealers in your area, and call around to see if any of those have a 22.5 or 25 in stock. If you really like the shop(s) you are dealing with, just try one of the other sizes at another shop, and worry about which shop to buy from later

SouthernShred

Well, I do like this shop and there aren't any dealers for another 50 or 60 miles so I will ask if they'll order both when I go down today. I do intend to purchase there (getting my wife a 7200WSD) and do a lot of business with them in terms of accessories, tune ups, future bikes, so we'll see.

rs hunter

The difference in top tube lengths between sizes won't be massive, but are nonetheless important. If you can find larger sizes in other brands, you can still use them as a comparison. The specs on each bike will give it's top tube length for comparison. Once you find that point at which you feel a little too stretched out over the bike, you'll know where you need to be. For a good guide to sizing parameters, check out the sizing guide at www.coloradocyclist.com , this may give you a better insight into the issues involved. Whip out the ol' measuring tape, and see where the numbers lead you. Numbers never lie, bike shop employees..... WELL.....

SouthernShred

UPDATE: the 7.5fx is backordered indefinitely...

How do you Clyde's feel about hybrid/flat bar road bike vs. standard road bike? I thought about going back and looking at that Jamis Ventura Comp again

Terrierman

I am 6'1" 250, I ride a 21.5" Jamis Coda Elite (I guess you could call it a flat bar road bike, though I've changed out the bars) and really like it a lot if that is at all helpful to you. At 6'4" I can't see buying a 20" framed anything.

jskwarek

well that stinks. I'm a newbie to all of this so take it for what it's worth, but I bought a 7.5FX a few months ago thinking that going from a MTB type hybrid to a Fitness type hybrid would cure my need for a little more speed and a better bike. I'm heading back to the LBS today to test ride a Roubaix Comp and Expert and will hopefully find a road bike some time this weekend. If you're going to be doing all road riding or path riding I'd sway more towards the road bike. If I had an opportunity to do it all over again I think I would have bought a road bike out of the gates. Don't get me wrong I love my FX and will still ride it often while out with the wife and kid, and use it as my primary commuter/rain bike, but if you are looking to put the miles in then a road bike is the way to go.

Jason

rs hunter

^^^ Yeah, what he said.....

SouthernShred

well initially I'm going to primarily be riding with the wife and trailering the kids...the FX series seems suited to that sort of thing. I'd like to get into road biking but I'm not sure I want to ride a straight up road bike with a Chariot trailer attached to it...

FLBandit

I had a 7500FX (6'2" and 240 lbs.) it was the 22.5 and it fit me well. However, I agree that you might want to consider a roadie. I ending up selling my Trek as it was so similar to my roadbike in what it did. I put that money on a MTB so now I can cover both ends of the spectrum.

jskwarek

For the wife and dragging the kids find an FX. They are still plentiful online, that's one of the thing I love mine for.

Jason

rs hunter

Consider the Specialized Sequoia..... www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22259

SouthernShred

duuuude, just went and rode it and had it adjusted to me...61cm Sequoia is coming home with me tonight...going back now with my van to pick it up and the 7200WSD for my wife

bdinger

Rock on, congrats on the purchase... don't forget to post pics!

rs hunter

Holy crap.....

Someone actually took my advice, and it worked out perfect for them.

I'M STUNNED!!!

HAHAHAHA!

jskwarek

Glad you found a bike you are happy with. Think I'm picking my new one up today as well! But that's for another post.

Jason