Cyclocross frame size thread: Which frame, how tall are you, what size, does it fit?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 211
Bikes: Kona Hoss Deluxe, Rans Tailwind, KHS Solo One SE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cyclocross frame size thread: Which frame, how tall are you, what size, does it fit?
I thought it might be helpful for those interested in purchasing a cyclocross frame to start a thread like this. Cyclocross frames are different sizes for obvious reasons but also some manufacturers do weird things with their sizing. Who wants to start?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: near Sacramento, CA
Posts: 54
Bikes: 2 CX bikes, a road bike, a MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'll start. 2005 Lemond Poprad 55cm with 100mm stem. My height = 5'10.5", my inseam = 34". Fits perfectly.
#3
Senior Member
I also have an '05 Poprad, but I'm 5'11" with ~32" inseam (30" pants). I feel like I could actually use a tiny bit more standover and that the frame is large for a 55, but it does fit and I've gotten used to the fit.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 947
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate 2006, Litespeed Pisgah , Specialized Roubaix 2008, Trek Madone 2011
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Custom steel Marinoni Fango 63.5. I'm 6'6" with a 35.5 inseam. Bike fits so good I put 12,000km on it this year.
#7
Senior but far from AARP
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 776
Bikes: 2006 Specialized SWorks Tarmac; 2005 Bianchi Giro; 2005 Bianchi Cross Veloce; 1997 Litespeed Catalyst; 1983 Performance Steel
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
5'9"; 30" pants; just got 2005 55" Bianchi Cross Veloce demo bike. 90mm stem.
Feels perhaps tiny big on me, but we'll see.
Feels perhaps tiny big on me, but we'll see.
#8
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Corn Field County, Illinois
Posts: 57
Bikes: 2023 Cervelo Soloist 2007 Specialized Tricross 2017 Colnago CRS 2001 Schwinn Homegrown
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times
in
22 Posts
5'7" Specialized Tricross 52cm. This frame has a slightly sloping top tube. The bottom bracket is also a bit lower than most other cross frames.
#10
Lint Picker
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 597
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
5'10", 54cm Fuji Cross, 100mm stem. Non-sloping top tube. I have about a 34" inseam. The fit is nice, a smidgeon on the smaller side but I prefer it that way, a bit more agile for the riding I do.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Leandro
Posts: 2,900
Bikes: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Basso Loto, Pinarello Stelvio, Redline Cyclocross
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/138316-sizing-cyclocross-bikes.html
The upshot is that you have to know what your road bike top tube length is supposed to be. Then subtract an inch or so from the road measurement. You should grab a cyclocross bike that has that top tube length as long as you have a couple of inches of standover.
The upshot is that you have to know what your road bike top tube length is supposed to be. Then subtract an inch or so from the road measurement. You should grab a cyclocross bike that has that top tube length as long as you have a couple of inches of standover.
#12
One Hep Cat
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: N 44.91577 W093.25327
Posts: 748
Bikes: Surly Cross-Check (commuter), Lemond Sarthe (sports car), Schwinn fixed gear conversion (for fun)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Overacting because I can
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Mean Streets of Bethesda, MD
Posts: 4,552
Bikes: Merlin Agilis, Trek 1500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is a great thread. My big concern is standover, especially if I'm gonna try racing next year.
What's your inseam? I'm 5'7" too, with a 31.5 inch inseam.
Originally Posted by gobes
I'm 5'7" and have a 52cm Specialized Tricross.
__________________
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." (Churchill)
"I am a courageous cyclist." (SpongeDad)
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 757
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
6'1", inseam about 33.75", ride a 60cm Surly Crosscheck with a 100mm stem. If I were going to use it for racing, I might consider a 58cm with a longer stem for more standover, but this bike doubles as a touring bike for me.
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Colnago Dream Lux, Orbea XLR8R, Lemond Alp du'ez, Giant XTC, Specialized S-Works Tri-cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
5'9" with 30" inseam. Ride 54 cm S-Works Tri-cross (the '06 model) with 100mm stem. Fits perfect.
#16
Rabbinic Authority
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Silver Spring, MD (MABRA/MAC)
Posts: 650
Bikes: Cannondale Cyclocross, Specialized Langster, Giant TCR-C2 Composite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 5' 6". I ride a Cannondale Cyclocross 52cm. Don't take this to be a rule, though. I have the upper body of somebody who would ride a 50cm, but the inseam of somebody who needs a 52cm frame. I've switched out the 100mm stock handlebar stem for a 110mm. Let the fitting expert with a ruler at your LBS help you decide the size frame you would need, not just a thread on a website.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 228
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SpongeDad
What's your inseam? I'm 5'7" too, with a 31.5 inch inseam.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,258
Bikes: Classic lugged-steel road, touring, shopping, semi-recumbent, gravel
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
32 Posts
So on bikes w/sloping top tubes is the frame size the seat tube length or the effective length, i.e. if it had a level top tube?
#19
+++++++++++++++
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 349
Bikes: 2 Felt F1X's, Surly Steamroller Fixed / Free, 2007 IF Crown Jewel, 2007 IF Planet X Singlespeed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
5'8" w/ 30.5 cycling inseam. 49cm Felt F1X w/100 mm stem. Fits *perfect.*
#20
Sensible shoes.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: St. Paul,MN
Posts: 8,798
Bikes: A few.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by wheezer46
5'9" with 30" inseam. Ride 54 cm S-Works Tri-cross (the '06 model) with 100mm stem. Fits perfect.
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Colnago Dream Lux, Orbea XLR8R, Lemond Alp du'ez, Giant XTC, Specialized S-Works Tri-cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by CastIron
I looking at building one of those in March. Care to derail the thread and tell us a bit more about it?
The bike has a shortish wheel base and mildly sloping top tube, so be careful about going any smaller on frame size, you might find your toes interfering with the front tire on sharp turns, or not enough room in the main triangle for shouldering. The flat top tube is nice. For shouldering, I take my right hand, flip it over (palm facing up) and hoist the bike to my shoulder, and leave my hand there while running. The bike is facing more front-to-rear instead of draped across my back. This seems more natural with this bike and keeps the left crank arm and pedal from banging against your spine.
The fork has a mounting hole for accessories such as a fender or a fork-mount brake cable hanger. I might add the fork-mount hanger next season since it would make cable tension adjustments easier and prevent the straddle-cable bracket from banging against the head tube. Some people don't like the routing of the derailleur cables (under the DT and BB), but I use teflon cables and haven't had any problems.
I recommend the Fizik Arione saddle. It gives you lots of fore-aft room to play with, is pretty comfortable and easy to slide on and off for dismounts. Bars are of course a personal matter, but I really like the Salsa Bell Laps.
I highly recommend this bike, especially if you plan on more general-purpose riding, such as commuting, road rides, and moderate single track/gravel paths. It's light and stiff enough for the road, rugged enough for cross racing, and nimble enough for single track. My Colnago and Orbea (and even my Mt. bike) have been gathering lots of dust since I started riding the Tri-cross!
#22
Sensible shoes.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: St. Paul,MN
Posts: 8,798
Bikes: A few.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanx for the info. I'm looking for a fast urban assault/commuter rig/poor weather road bike/and WTH maybe even try it on a 'cross race or two.
What did you build it with? I'm looking towards Ultegra with a compact drive arrangement and hand built wheels. Pretty vanilla.
What did you build it with? I'm looking towards Ultegra with a compact drive arrangement and hand built wheels. Pretty vanilla.
#23
Made in Norway
6'1" with 36" inseam. 58(c-c) cm Specialized S-works CX and 58(c-t) Airborne Carpe Diem
The Carpe Diem has a better standover height due to a sloping geometry.
The Specialized has a 0deg stem. The Airborne with it's longer HT has a - deg deg.
Due to the different STAs I'm given the same saddle - handlebar length.
They both fit very good. That's why I build them that way
The Carpe Diem has a better standover height due to a sloping geometry.
The Specialized has a 0deg stem. The Airborne with it's longer HT has a - deg deg.
Due to the different STAs I'm given the same saddle - handlebar length.
They both fit very good. That's why I build them that way
Last edited by Lectron; 12-29-05 at 02:40 PM.
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Colnago Dream Lux, Orbea XLR8R, Lemond Alp du'ez, Giant XTC, Specialized S-Works Tri-cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by CastIron
Thanx for the info. I'm looking for a fast urban assault/commuter rig/poor weather road bike/and WTH maybe even try it on a 'cross race or two.
What did you build it with? I'm looking towards Ultegra with a compact drive arrangement and hand built wheels. Pretty vanilla.
What did you build it with? I'm looking towards Ultegra with a compact drive arrangement and hand built wheels. Pretty vanilla.