TONYKART125

I am looking at a 51 cm soloist used. This was my recommended stuff from wrenchscience.com What you guys think. Seems to fall right in the middle! let me know,
pat c.

WS Recommended Sizes
Frame Size center-to-center: 50 cm
Frame Size center-to-top: 52 cm
Overall Reach: 65.91 cm
Saddle Height: 68.41 cm
Handlebar Width: 46 cm



Your Measurements
Height: 68.50 in
Sternum Notch: 55.75 in
Inseam Length: 30.50 in
Arm Length: 23.50 in
Shoulder Width: 18.00 in
Flexiblity: 6
Weight: 180.00 lbs
Foot Size: 10.00 USMens

DaBeRep

Too be sure, the only way too really know if the bike is to small is too take it too an LBS too be fitted too you. Be sure too take your shorts and shoes too the LBS to.

* Note: This is my first attempt at BF satire.

MadeInItaly

Definitely not too small. Not saying it's Goldie locks (just right) but it's pretty close. Bars seem way wide though. Stem length?

AnthonyG

Definitely not too small. In my book its probably too big although you don't have much choice in smaller bikes.

EDIT: going through your sizes again you seem to have quite short legs for your height. Your probably going to have difficulties getting a good fit on an off the shelf frame. Its always a good idea to ride them first and in your case I think it would be essential.

Anthony

MadeInItaly

A 30 inch inseem is short for someone 5 feet 6 inchs**********

Unagidon

Do the competitive cyclist fitting thingy - gives you tt length. Makes it easier to scan what fits and what doesn't. But 5'6" - 51cm sounds fine. I'm 5'5", but very inflexible, and rode the Soloist 51cm for a few days. I found it a little too streched out for me - guess that can always be adjusted by the stem.

TONYKART125

haha damn my small legs!

Flatballer

Well done. I enjoyed it.

Mr.BoJingles

5.6 feet is not 5' 6".
68.5 inches is 5' 8.5".

AnthonyG

Is your actual inseam really 30 1/2" or is that your pant inseam?

Its your actual inseam standing on the floor barefoot to the hard pelvic bone that's required.

Anthony

alanbikehouston

There are a zillion "formulas", but there is one test that is rather easy. Simply stand over the bike flat-footed with your belt buckle up against the stem. The top of the top tube should be lightly brushing the crotch of your jeans. If the top tube is pressing uncomfortably against your crotch, the frame is too tall. Set up the bike with your "ideal" saddle height and cockpit length, and take it for a test ride. If you have perfect fore/aft weight balance, the bike is the correct size.

Buying a new bike is easy if you know two measurements: the saddle height of the bike that fits you perfectly, and the cockpit length of the bike that fits you perfectly (from the back edge of the saddle to the front of the stem). I know my saddle height is 30 inches and my cockpit length is 31 inches. So, if I'm looking at a bike, and I can dial in my perfect saddle height and perfect cockpit length using a standard seatpost and stem, the bike is in my size range.

Flatballer

incorrect.

Medpilot

I'm also thinking about getting a soloist and I can't decide between the 51 and 54.

If your measurements are correct I'd say you are closer to a 54. I'm 67.7" w/ 32" inseam. So that would mean your torso is 3 inches longer making a 51 too short. For myself, if I get a 54 (54.5cm tt) I'd probably need a 90mm stem with no spacers. If I get a 51 (53cm tt) I'd probably need a 100-110mm stem with a 20mm spacer. In the end I'll most likely go with a 54 and with you having a longer torso, I'd recommend the 54.

Oh and the bars seem a little wide too, but sometimes people go wider or more narrow just based on personal preference. I measure 44cm but prefer a 42cm handlebar width.

Cheers

bbattle

He's 5' 8.5" And his measurements are very close to mine; I'm a bit longer in the inseam. I ride a 54cm Orbea, stem of 80 or 90mm. And a 52cm Bianchi.

I would say the 50cm top tube measurement is too small for you unless you are getting a 120-140mm stem.

MadeInItaly

I agree. My pinarello is 51cm w/ a top tube of 53.7

Psimet2001 

You are close to my measurements... I have ridden 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, and Giant "S" frames....I have to say that I usually tend to err on the side of a smaller frame.

I have been changing my mind about that recently. I NEVER ride that 50 anymore...WAY too small even with a 140 stem on it. 52 frames work for me, but I almost always end up with a long stem that I can never really get to a height (less than a 2 1/2"-3" saddle to bar drop) that works when I am out of shape (read "too fat to stay in the drops").

I have a 54 now that is awesome. Perfect sizing. A tad big at times, but overall a better fitting bike.

I would say based on the measurements....knowing that everything could change if I saw you in person....that you would be much more comfortable in a 53 or 54 - mainly for reach (TT length) and bar height (head tube length affecting saddle to bar drop).

TONYKART125

my only argument is that I have ridden bmx for 10 years so i really prefer smaller bikes... idk

MadeInItaly

It's not just BMX people. My favorite and best fitting ride is 49cm . Thats 2 CM smaller then my largest and a much smaller Top Tube...

longbeachgary

Let me start with, I'm no expert. I was reading a artcle from Grant Peterson about bike sizing and he says that 98% of riders ride bikes that are too small. Not sure about the % but I have to agree with him that many ride bikes that are too small. If you're not racing, you don't need such a tiny bike. A gentleman who is 5' 8.5" tall needs a bigger bike.

nycphotography

Fixed.

If your bike is too small, raise the seat, and move it back 1cm for eacm cm of stem you add.

That won't be a perfect fit, but it's a starting point from which you can tweak seat position and bar position (raise / lower / flip / change of stem).

Once your too small bike has been FITTED larger, it will no longer be too small for you.

uke

Smaller bikes weigh less. That's reason enough to toughen up and ride that clownbike.

softlysoftly

Second the competitive cyclist fit, it'll give you a range of fittings depending on your riding style.