Gunnar Crosshairs sizing
10-31-09, 07:00 AM
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Gunnar Crosshairs sizing
Thinking about buying friend's Crosshairs but I'm afraid it will be too small for me. The frame size is a 52 cm with a sloping toptube. He has it set up with road tires 700x23c. I am 5'10" with about a 30.5-31" inseam. The reach for me is very comfortable and the bike itself feels great and the smaller frame seems really nimble. Of course I have ample standover clearance. With the sloping top tube, I have the seatpost out as far as possible (>5" of seatpost showing). Is this normal for sloping toptubes to have this much seatpost showing?
Would I be able to make the 52 work? Looking at Gunnar's website, I think the 54 would be spot on, but...
How much of a difference would it make if I were to put cross or touring tires on?
Appreciate any feedback.
Would I be able to make the 52 work? Looking at Gunnar's website, I think the 54 would be spot on, but...
How much of a difference would it make if I were to put cross or touring tires on?
Appreciate any feedback.
10-31-09, 07:06 AM
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Here's the geometry of Gunnar Crosshairs
https://www.gunnarbikes.com/crosshairsspecs.php
https://www.gunnarbikes.com/crosshairsspecs.php
10-31-09, 12:39 PM
#3
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I would say that would be quite a bit too small. Then again, I'm a bit gun shy about this: I rode a 60cm Crosshairs for 10 years. I loved the way it rode, but I could never get quite comfortable on it. My 62cm Crosscheck fits much better. I'm 6'3", so not a direct comparison though.
10-31-09, 01:00 PM
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Head to a decent bike shop and get fitted for a bike on one of those adjustable bike fitting things they have and see what they say if your not to confident in buying a bike that may or may not fit you. In my opinion 5 inches isnt a ton of seat post on a bike with a sloping tt. My experience says if it feels comfortable ride it. But never just settle for a bike that may be a size to big or small because its a great deal... !
10-31-09, 01:40 PM
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Ditto;
I'm 5' 11.5" and ride a size 60 Soma Double Cross. I could also use a size 58.
My 21 year old daughter rides a 51cm Jamis Nova Pro. She is 5' 5".
Michael
I'm 5' 11.5" and ride a size 60 Soma Double Cross. I could also use a size 58.
My 21 year old daughter rides a 51cm Jamis Nova Pro. She is 5' 5".
Michael
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-31-09, 05:35 PM
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A smaller frame is always gonna feel more "nimble," but that nimbleness might pale when compared to the discomfort from a frame that is the wrong size. Why are you looking at buying a cross bike? Wanna race and/or ride trails? If yes, sizing is super important. Long rides or touring? Ditto. But if you are looking for a short distance commuter or beater bike, who cares as long as you can get a seatpost that fits you.
For the record, I ride a 54 crosshairs, and I am about the same heighth and inseam as yourself. I shied away from the 56 because I race and the standover was an issue, or so I thought at the time. Fortunately the 54 works fine, but if I had to do it over again, I would go with the 56. I ride a 56 Cannondale Six13, and just ordered a 58 Gunnar Roadie. Top Tube measurement and considering how far of a drop you can achieve from seat to bars is much more important than standover. For a little more on the issue look here. For a lot more on size questions, search the road forum.
For the record, I ride a 54 crosshairs, and I am about the same heighth and inseam as yourself. I shied away from the 56 because I race and the standover was an issue, or so I thought at the time. Fortunately the 54 works fine, but if I had to do it over again, I would go with the 56. I ride a 56 Cannondale Six13, and just ordered a 58 Gunnar Roadie. Top Tube measurement and considering how far of a drop you can achieve from seat to bars is much more important than standover. For a little more on the issue look here. For a lot more on size questions, search the road forum.
10-31-09, 07:35 PM
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Thanks for all your input everyone. Here's my dilemma. I just had my bike shop order me a 2008 Jamis Aurora Elite 53 cm (non-sloping top tube). It is really the Nova frame disguised as a tourer. I really liked the fit and feel of the bike. Now I'm thinking of buying my friend's Gunnar and selling the Aurora Elite on Ebay or Craigslist.. or just keeping the Aurora Elite. The Aurora Elite looks considerable larger next to the Gunnar. It doesn't help that I'm the most indecisive human being on the planet.
If I plan on racing cross, isn't a smaller frame the norm?
Someone just tell me what to do... my head's about to explode.
If I plan on racing cross, isn't a smaller frame the norm?
Someone just tell me what to do... my head's about to explode.
11-01-09, 05:14 PM
#9
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At first I thought a 52 would be too small for you. However, after looking at the frame geometry link posted above I think you should be okay. The Crosshair doesn't have a sloping top tube so the listed TT length is what matters as far as sizing goes. It's listed as 540mm which is essentially the same as most 54cm frames. At 5' 10" a 54 isn't off base especially for a CX bike. I'm 6' and I ride a 54cm that has an effective TT length of 545mm. I probably should be on my brands version of a 56 (555mm eff TT) but I don't find the 54 to be too small and the TT is just about the same as the Crosshair you are considering. If you have any doubts haul the bike down to your LBS and have them see what they think. If you do any regular business there they shouldn't have a problem giving you their professional opinion.
Last edited by Caveman; 11-01-09 at 05:18 PM.
