windhchaser

ok on bikes direct this link says https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._xiii.htm#size i should ride a 46 cm
but this link says a 54 https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/roadsizing.html im 5 foot 5 inches with my riding shoes on and a book under my crotch its like 30 to 31 inches

megalowmatt

It's because the Dawes Lightning has a sloping top tube. In the second link you provided it specifically says those measurements are for bikes with straight top tubes.

It states"

(These are ball-park measurements are for most typical road bikes with straight cross bars/top tubes

- please refer to the model-specific geometry before making a decision)"

Personally I'm not sure how I would I would categorize you at 5'5" with a 31" cycling inseam...

You may be better off at a bike shop.

bragi

Maybe this will help:

https://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/saddle-height

acidfast7

what about the Denali?

no1mad 

OP still has it. The OP was going to save up a grand before 'upgrading', then decided to pull the trigger on a BD bike now.

OP- just save up a bit and buy from the LBS. They will be able to eyeball your positioning and make adjustments to fine tune the bike to you.

debit

Seconding. And most shops will be accommodating about future adjustments and/or modifications. My bargain bikes have ended up costing me almost as much as a new one when all was said and done.

no1mad 

While stand over height is an important measurement, there are a whole lot more things that you may not be aware of that goes towards a proper fit. The frame itself will get you close, but then the following can be 'tweaked' for fit/comfort:

-seat post height
-saddle positioning on the rails
-saddle tilt
-crank arm length
-stem length
-stem angle
-width of the handlebars
-sweep and/or rise of the handlebars

himespau 

For a true cycling inseam you want to be barefoot.

Try this on for size.

windhchaser

im just researching now.. Im crazy as hell on buying something. Like i said in another post it took me many months to finally pick my camera. And at the end it was so close between a canon and the sony i got. My denaili is a odd duck its says its 22.5 inches and it feels like its my corect size. Top bar may be a tad high but it feels comfy matter fact i think i have to raise the seat. Ps took me forever to pick my mp3 player to .Maybe im ocd or something

gerv 

I went through a phase like that with MP3 players. Came to the conclusion I didn't need one.

jeffpoulin

I'm about the same size as the OP and my bikes range from 50cm to 54cm, but they all fit the same. The top tube length, whether it's sloping or straight, tube angles, spacers under the stem, seat back position, etc... all play an important role in fit too. When I buy a new bike, I determine fit with 3 measurements:

1) a standover height of around 77cm at the middle of the top tube
2) 62cm horizontal distance from the center of the handlebars to the center of the seat post
3) a 2cm drop from the top of the saddle to the top of the handlebars with at most 4cm of spacers under the stem (I prefer 0-2cm, but will go up to 4 if I have to).

Once I have those to within 0.5cm or so, I know the bike will fit. On some frames (like my crosscheck), that happens with the 50cm frame size. On others (like my audax bike), it's 54cm. Most bikes have frame specs that let you calculate these measurements by using a little trigonometry. I bought my last 2 bikes based on calculated size only (didn't test ride them), and they fit perfectly.

no1mad 

How long did it take you to be able to do this, as in how many frames? OP is on his second big box BSO and is currently contemplating his first BD purchase. I'm sure it'd ease his concerns some if he knew he could nail the fit this time.

windhchaser

the bike im riding now is 22.5 inches.And it feel right to me. but every chart says it is to big

jeffpoulin

I went through 4 bikes before I had the fit measurements nailed down. However, if his current bike fits him well, he can use it to take his baseline measurements and compare it to the different BD models. If it doesn't fit him well, then I would suggest a proper bike fit session and test ride at the LBS.

windhchaser

the only part that dont fit is the top bar is a bit high.as i am touching it when i straddle the bike. i pretty much need to buy online since my budget is still low

windhchaser

there are the 2 bikes im looking at https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ntnoir_xii.htm and https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...record_xii.htm

no1mad 

Then save up until you can buy at the LBS. Otherwise, you run the risk of experiencing the same thing over again....

Hold on a sec, I just remembered you claim to be a tad short for guys, right? Like 5'5"? Don't take this wrong way, but maybe you ought to check out the ladies frames- a bunch of guys ride 'em (called 'mixte' frames). Just an option to consider.

ThermionicScott 

+1. Keep working on that $1000 goal.

And I'm not sure if I've voiced this in another of your threads, but I touch the top tube on my road bike. Having 1-2" of standover clearance is way overrated.

windhchaser

yes im around 5 foot 5 but very long limbs for my size.kinda like a monkey lolol.

windhchaser

i just wish the lbs was at least close to the price you can get online