rothenfield1

I'm about ready to order a DC frame but am confused about sizing. I will not be able to ride one before I order. I'm 6' and used to older bikes with level top tubes. The best fit I've found is 57cm x 57cm with normal set-back post and 110mm stem. I often ride on the brake hoods and am used to a stretched out position, so a 58cm TT has worked as well. The 56cm DC has an ETT of 57.6 which seems like the right one; however, there is a popular recent review of the DC were a 6' guy built his DC for off-road with MTB bars and says he was professionally fitted to the 60cm frame with a ETT of 60.2 cm. This seems way to long to me. What gives?

Andy_K 

Mountain bikes typically have longer effective top tubes than road bikes would for a rider of the same size. The biggest reason, I think, is that you don't have the reach of the handlebars to figure in. There are, of course, other geometry and riding position differences that come into play. I don't know how all those would translate into setting up a DC with MTB bars, but I wouldn't worry about it if you plan to use drop bars.

rothenfield1

Yes, I will be using drop bars. Probably mountain drops. So you think my initial instict to go with the 56cm with 57.6 effective TT is the right choice? Even the 58cm with 59.2 ETT seemed too long. Just wanted a second opinion before I pulled the trigger.

Andy_K 

Well, mountain drops are different than regular drops. They're generally designed to be ridden mostly in the drops, not the hoods, and if you use them that way it has implications for fit. Depending on the bars, they can be hard to ride on the hoods. Otherwise, for traditional drop bars (with the amount of reach you're used to), I would say yes to the 56cm size.

rothenfield1

Hmmm. I was kinda wondering what it would be like riding the hoods at such an extreme toed-in angle. Have you ever done it? I was looking at the WTB Mountain Drops or the Salsa Woodchippers.

Andy_K 

I haven't used bars with that much flare. I've got a pair of Salsa Bell Laps, which have just a 12 degree flare, and that's actually very comfortable. The flare on the Woodchippers is more than twice that, so I have no idea what that would be like.

rothenfield1

That's funny you mentioned the Bell Laps because I was thinking about those too. I think they might be the way to go instead of taking a chance on the mountain drops. thanks much.

scattered73

I am 6ft and ride a 58 double cross with a 90 or 100 stem (can't remember off the top of my head) though I feel I could have got away with a 56. Though I don't think a 60 would have worked for me though I can barely straddle the top tube on my 58.

rothenfield1

Thank you, I think the 58 might be the correct size. Just a couple more questions if your still looking. Do you consider yourself as having a 'normal' length torso and arm-reach? Also, what type seat post do you use, set-back or zero set-back?

scattered73

I think I am pretty normal porpotions wise, though my flexability is lacking. I am pretty sure I have a standard seatpost not sure which that is. There are some times I wish I would have gone with the 56 (mainly crazy off road stuff) but most of the time I am glad I got the 58. The 60 would not have worked for me at least. My mechanic has a 60 and he has to be 6'3 or so.

Barrettscv 

I'm 6 ft even and am using a size 60cm. A size 58 would also have worked with a longer stem. I would not go smaller.

flargle

If you are OK with using a bunch of headset spacers, the 56 would work. You could get a roundabout estimate of how much you'd need by comparing BB drop, fork length (axle to crown), and headtube length.

Keep in mind, if you want to use dirtdrops you ought to put your bars even higher than normal, because you want to use the hooks--not the hoods--as your main hand position.

If I were running dirtdrops on a cross bike I would definitely use sissy levers too, to make the bartops a feasible position for steep descents.

rothenfield1

i'm actually going the other way with it. Road hub with triple crank for light touring and commuting. Because the chainstays on the DC are not particularly long, with a light load on the rear, having a zero setback post and longer stem would balance-out some of the weight forward.

tm1210

The top tube seems to be longer that average on the DC. I'm 6'0 with a 35" inseam and usually ride a traditional 60x57. I looked at the 56 but it just seemed very small. The 58 with a a 592mm e-t-t was just too long. I couldn't even imagine riding a 60, it has the same e-t-t as my MTB!

rothenfield1

We must be about the same size. I have an old lugged Miyata touring bike that fits me well at 60x57. I also have an Allez 60x58 race geometry that I had to put a 0 setback post and short stem on to fit. Trying to find a 700 frame that lies between a touring and a race road bike has been a challenge. It seemed that a Cross frame would fill the bill, but having never owned one, maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree? I agree that the DC 58 with 592 ETT seems too long.

What I’m looking for is something fast, but strong enough to handle a light load on the rear for quick overnight trips, and accommodate a 28c tire. I can’t even get a 25c on the Allez with its’ very short chainstay.

rothenfield1

What sort of bars do you use? I normally ride with my hands on the hoods of my drop bars which are about level or lower than my saddle. A 602mm ETT seems to be quit a stretch.