pinetreeforest1

I went out and tried a BUNCH of bikes today, and I've narrowed it down to two bikes (Giant TCR2, and LeMond Tourmalet) however I'm leaning towards the Lemond. The frame size I tried on the TCR was medium, and it was perfect, with a 55 cm top tube (I have no clue what true top tube vs. effective top tube means however), and also a 57 CM Tourmalet. The Tourmalet felt fantastic, however I felt that I would have been a bit more comfortable with a little more elbow bend (just a little!), so I felt the 57 CM may have been slightly too large for my 5 foot 11 build, but there was no 55 CM frame available in this specific bike. I'm wondering, since the Giant was a 55 CM and felt great, will the Lemond 55 work as well? The reason I ask is because there is a sale price now, and if I order immediately, I can receive the savings even after they receive their new batch.

biker128pedal

How long was the stem? You could shoten it by a centimeter and it may help.

oilman_15106

Would a test ride on the LeMond 55 answer the question.

snoboard2

i'm within half an inch of 5'11" and 55-56 frames are where its at for people our height. go to www.competitivecyclist.com and use their fit calculator. its all about top tube length. if you get a bigger frame, you'll be riding more upright. upright = comfy but less aero. choice is yours, just don't go too big (58 cm or above top tube)

Camilo

"Effective top tube length" = "Horizontal top tube length" and both terms are used with bikes with sloping top tubes. The measurement is the horizontal line from the center of the seat post to the center of the steering tube. It allows "apples to apples" comparison between sloping TT bikes and those built with traditional, horizontal top tube geometry.

The horizontal line gives you an idea of what the 'reach' would be - just add the stem length (c-c) to the effective or horizontal top tube length to calculate reach. This, to me, is maybe the most important measurement to look at and compare. By spec'ing a top tube length, the fitting programs are putting you on a frame that will give you a reach you need with traditional (e.g 9 - 12 cm) stems.

The wrenchscience website has a fitting program which gives you reach as a spec. after you plug in your measurements.

You really don't know if the two bikes are comparable in this dimension unless you compare horizontal/effective top tube length of both. Then other factors come into play, most importantly (to me), how high or low you can put the handle bars relative to the seat (after it's adjusted of course). One frame might allow a higher or lower handle bar height, and you have to decide if the range is adequate for what you want to do. This has to do with the geometry as it relates to head tube.

Stand over is easy enough to 'eyeball' and chances are either will be adjustable for the seat height you need.

Perhaps both will be adjustable both in reach and height to what you want, therefore the color is the most important consideration

linus

You need 55 for lemond. it has 56.5cm toptube and 57 has 57.5cm toptube I believe.

Giant medium toptube length is 55.5cm. Giant has more aggressive geometry because they use integrated headset and Lemond uses standard headset. Also if you race, compact is a great way to ride smaller frame.

Oh god....I know 5'11" but how the hell did I remember all the toptube numbers? I got to do something not related to bicycle for a while........

VT to CA

Not always... I'm 5' 11" and I usually ride a 54... right now I'm on a 53 (sloping).

JayhawKen

You're finding the same relative sizing differences that I did last year when I bought my Tourmalet. Final choice for me was between a Bianchi in a 55, a Cannondale in a 54 and the LeMond in a 53. I rode the Tourmalet 3 separate times and it just seemed to be a custom fit for me. Great bike so far, but I'm in my first year of riding so what do I know.

Just for reference, I'm 5'9" with only 30" inseam so the unique LeMond geometry makes sense though I didn't know about it when I was shopping.

Turboem1

definately try a 55cm lemond before you buy anything