Esthetic

She's a beauty...a tried to make it work with a shorter stem, and while i had believed i was then comfortable on the 56cm because i wanted it to be, it just doesn't compare to one that fits like a glove.




Entertaining keeping her as my French fit option, but the wife would flip

Coming to terms in saying goodbye to my 2010 CAAD9 5 105 ....hello to 2013 Giant TCR SL1 Ultegra

Had a bike shop employee part with it for a generous $600 asking price, about $400 below for its condition BB , equipped with Mavic Ksyrium Equippe and 25c Conti GP4's. He's graduated to a 2017 TCR Advanced.

Would love it the CAAD 9 went to appreciating arms. She loves to sprint and climb.

Any fellow members go through a similar fit transition?

southpier

I have a Surly LHT. the bike guy assured me it was "my size". I need to lean it over and get up on tip-toe to swing onto the saddle. the difference between flat shoes and touring shoe soles, 1.75" tires vs. 1.5", aftermarked short/ high rise stem, and the saddle practically resting on the top tube, all make it work out.

after 2 seasons of riding, I would not change a thing. thank you JT!

trailangel

Looks like it fits better than the Giant. Turn the stem over.
I am not a fan of showing 300mm of seatpost. Means to me the bike is too small.

ckindt

Yeah, I don't see the correct frame size pictured. There should be one more bike in the middle sized between those two.

thumpism 

I used to be 6'1" and am now under 5'11". The local market will be flush with 60+cm bikes and frames.

fietsbob

I dial in on top tube length, myself..., seat tube length , aka frame size , varies..

My only road bike, is now in C&V territory agewise.

I now mostly ride small wheel folding bikes.. IGH drivetrains..

John_V 

I went from a 50 cm to a 48 cm because Colnago changed the dimensions of their 50 cm frame by giving it a longer top tube lenght. Both my 50 and 48 have the same top tube length so they both fit exactly the same. So far the only difference I've noticed, fit wise, is I now have a little more clearance in the stand over height.

Maelochs

seat post exposure is based on personal esthetics and on tradition. What matters when it comes to Riding the bike (as opposed to how strangers see it) is where the rider's weight is and how it is supported, and how well s/he can use the controls.

Not to say esthetics aren't---or can't be---important.

But ... I was watching the Dauphine today, looking at those guys climb Alpe d'Huez. They look so right in their flat-back riding positions ... to me a person on a racing bike just looks right, the way a Lamborghini Miura or old Ford Mustang--or a P-51 Mustang --just looks right.

I also realize that I will Never "look right" no matter what.

I would need to lose 60 or 80 pounds, and dramatically increase my strength and flexibility--and being at work like 70 hours per week, I don't see that fitting into my schedule.

So ... as good as the slammed stem and flat back may look, it is not an esthetic I can aspire to.

So ... who cares anyway? Nobody is looking.

This guy has found a bike that fits like a glove. That is the whole premise of his post. Who is even looking at him to judge him? Just us. Even the people he rides past won't give him more than a cursory glance, likely. They are too busy with their phones.

This guy has found the Holy Grail--a bike that is comfortable to ride as far and long as he wants.

If he also wants to spend some money on artwork, great ... but I think that might best be discussed on a different forum (unless he hangs bicycle frames or other parts on his walls.)

Esthetic

Pardon the lack of deets. Was just a comparison of the frame size difference.

I'm 5'9".

I just brought the bike home last night, that was the prior rider's seat position before i slapped on my Keo's , made my saddle adjustment and went for a night ride.

He was same height as me but with a 34" inseam! I'm closer to 31". That explains the hyper seat position.

My other bike is a Giant Medium as well, fitted at an LBS for it. Here's a frame size similarity.



Having had a Trek 1.5 that was 54cm , and while not cramped i thought maybe a 56cm would not have been that much a stretch and i gave the CAAD9 a shot when it showed up locally in the condition it was.

But yeah, the Cannondale is a 56cm next to the Giant TCR in Medium.

exmechanic89

Fit is everything on a bike, imo. I'd rather have a lesser bike that fit me than a better bike that was a marginal fit..