PopgiBoy

Decided to try road biking as a new sport after getting ACL surgeries on both knees. So after doing some research and trying on different bikes I ended up with a entry level carbon bike, Scattante 105. I am 5'9.5", 185lbs with 32 inseam, LBS said I fit a 54cm. So I tried the bike and took the 54cm bike home. I have been riding the bike on a trainer for an hour at a time and also took it out for almost 30 miles. The bike feels good and no body aches after riding.

I decided to measure my bike today and it is actually a 52cm not a 54cm. I measured it from center top. I took it back from the LBS, and they put me on a trainer and said that the bike is the right size for me. I am bike noob so I just took their suggestion, but now I am thinking if they just said that so they don't have to take back a used bike.

Overall the bike feels good, but I would like to ask the forum if the bike looks too small for me based on proportion and posture.

Thanks in advance

J.C. Koto

I'm no pro fitter but IMO it looks a little on the small side (which could be because of the photo angle), but the important thing is it feels good to you, not how it looks. Personally I like bikes a little on the small side rather than a little on the big side as it's easier *for me* to dial in the fit this way, YMMV. As for the measurement, different manufacturers use different methods so unless you know for a fact otherwise it may well be a 54cm according to the good folks at Scattante. In other words, unless it says 52cm on the frame or something the LBS likely told you 54cm in good faith.

If you're otherwise happy about it and not just having a bout of buyer's remorse I suggest enjoying it until you decide you need another bike. Then you'll need another bike, and another and so on because that's what happens to people with this hobby...

edit: On second thought it doesn't look very small at all so I'm going with the "photo angle"-angle as to why it may have seemed so at first.

Homebrew01

Your saddle looks too high with your leg straight. Should have some bend in the knee at 6 o'clock position.

Looigi

Around 30 degrees when pedaling normally.

Phil_gretz

Performance will exchange the bike with no questions asked - that's their firm policy. Try the next size up and see if there is an equally comfortable fit to be had. Agree with the comment that you could lower your seatpost by a hair. The bike appears to be an acceptable fit as shown, though.

chasm54

Agree with the others. I'd probably put you on the next size up, but if it feels fine, that's the most important thing. And yes, the saddle could be lowered a centimetre or so.

Wheever

I think it looks good. And once you gain flexibility and flip the stem, you'll have a slightly longer reach, anyway. I also agree your seat is a little too high.

For the record: We're about the same height and I ride a 52, but I have long legs and a short torso. Knowing your measurements would be useful.

exmechanic89

Yep the seat post looks a bit too high, but the bike fit looks ok to me. I prefer to be on the lower end of fit though. rather than the higher end. I'd bare in mind that as you get in shape the bike will probably feel better too.

RonH

Looks too small to me. Did the "mechanic" at Performance Bicycles suggest a 54 cm or did you get that number at another shop for a different brand?

cruiserhead

From your measurements, I would have guessed a 54 or 55. The photo seems to show the 52 fitting well, at least from that one picture.
Your reach is comfortable, so if you go 2cm longer in top tube, you would be running quite a short stem.

It looks fine. I'm sure you could be fine on a 54 too if you feel like the steering is too quick on the 52.

GamblerGORD53

IMO It only fits because of the huge seat set back. The LBS is just trying to cover THEIR mistake.
Get the bigger bike.

Saddle Up

Are you sure it's a 52cm? A lot of bikes that have sloping top tubes use a theoretical seat tube size. For example I ride 52cm Specialized road bikes. The seat tube actually measures 48cm.

I think the fit looks right in the photo.

Falcon3

See if you can ride a 54cm on the trainer in the shop and see how it compares. I prefer my bikes on the small side- i'm 5-10 and ride a 54cm with short top tube- you can always swap out for a long riser stem if you're feeling too bent over due to the long seatpost.

Wanderer

If it is labelled a 54, it "should" be OK, but it sure looks like a 52! I think it will feel even smaller as you get in better shape! It sure looks like that seat is WAY back! MHO.

How does it feel to you? If it is too big, you should feel really stretched out, but sure doesn't look that way. Does it feel confining?

caloso

Looks small. FWIW, I am the same height as you and generally ride a 54. (55 is actually just right and 56 still fits, but I would rather go smaller with a longer stem than the other way around.)

Slash5

On modern bikes with sloping top tubes you can't just measure the seat tube to determine the size - or at least it is misleading.
My Salsa Vaya says it is a 58 cm, measures 55 cm, and feels bigger than my 60 cm bikes.

Hoonigan

It looks like everything has been said above me. But if you have no pain and no complaints I wouldn't make too big of a deal about it. As long as you are happy.

PopgiBoy

Added more pics, on my first pic I was not clipped properly. The frame does not say anything in regards to its size It seems like that would be the case with this sport, but I got the carbon bike with the 105 components thinking it will be my first, second, and third bike. :/

chasm54

The extra pics don't change my opinion. You're probably between sizes andthey've gone down rather than up. But the setback isn't huge, the stem isn't outlandishly long, and you look to be in a fairly natural, uncrowded position on the bike. So if it feels OK, and you say it does, I'd say it is fine.

PopgiBoy

It wasnt a mechanic, it was just a sales guy that helped me out. He initially said that I was a 56cm, but went with a 54cm (supposedly a 54cm) after trying this bike, since he said that it looks fitting for me.

PopgiBoy

LBS ran out of this type of bike and will not produce anymore, but I tried a similar bike, 54cm Fuji Granfondo, and actually did not feel any difference.

Wilfred Laurier

Bike does not look too small.

AlmostTrick

I just want to say that you look very happy on that bike.

GravelMN

I agree with other posters in that how the bike feels is your #1 concern. In the first photo your seat looks high but in the third photo you have a slight bend in your knee. The amount of bend that is desirable varies with the rider but you never want you knee to be close to locking out. The best place in your pedal rotation to measure isn't 6:00 but actually around 5:00 when the crankarm is in line with the seattube, unless your saddle is in a very forward position on the rails. With your saddle adjusted to mid-rail, behind mid-rail or with a setback seatpost, use about the 5:00 position.

Homebrew01

Nothing jumps out as "wrong" to me.