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How do I know if my bike is too big for me?

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Old 10-21-08, 02:36 PM
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How do I know if my bike is too big for me?

My new bike seems like it's a little too big for me. I have an 09 allez sport 54cm. I am 5'7" and was initially going to get a 52cm but the LBS guy fitted me on a 54 bc he said my femor was long and that my upper torso was long as well. The reason I am wondering is because when I am riding, it doesn't feel comfortable putting my hands on the hood of the bike. I much prefer to have my hands about 1.5" closer to my body.

What can I do to fix this?
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Old 10-21-08, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by calbrner
My new bike seems like it's a little too big for me. I have an 09 allez sport 54cm. I am 5'7" and was initially going to get a 52cm but the LBS guy fitted me on a 54 bc he said my femor was long and that my upper torso was long as well. The reason I am wondering is because when I am riding, it doesn't feel comfortable putting my hands on the hood of the bike. I much prefer to have my hands about 1.5" closer to my body.

What can I do to fix this?
A shorter stem could do it.
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Old 10-21-08, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by dcbikeguy
A shorter stem could do it.
The guy that fitted my bike at the lbs said the same thing but suggested that I ride on the current one first and come back if it doesn't feel right.
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Old 10-21-08, 02:40 PM
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What was your last bike? I went from Mountain to road and bought a frame that was too small- because to me it felt more comfortable. I'm 5'6" and now ride a small Giant Compact frame that is the equivalent of a 51 to 54 in conventional sizing. Fits better than the Xtra small did- but initially even that felt weird
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Old 10-21-08, 02:46 PM
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It might take you a few rides to get used to your new bike, so I wouldn't rush to change anything just yet if you were fitted by the LBS. But as stated a shorter stem would do the trick if you decide you feel to stretched out.

I had the same feeling when I went from a 56 cm traditional frame to my current Cannondale 53 cm compact. It just felt weird at first being on a smaller frame (so I guess the opposite problem you're having). In retrospect, the 56 was to big for me - the Cannondale fits me like a glove.

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Old 10-21-08, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by calbrner
The guy that fitted my bike at the lbs said the same thing but suggested that I ride on the current one first and come back if it doesn't feel right.
Sounds to me like you should listen to him.
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Old 10-21-08, 03:39 PM
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Ride it for a bit and see how you feel after a while...it is worth it to wait and see how you settle in...did you get your cleat position set right? That's the first thing I would do before looking at other factors. If they are set right, then, again, ride the bike a bit and then, if not feeling right, go back to your store.
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Old 10-21-08, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Gotcha38
Sounds to me like you should listen to him.
Especially since you can't size yourself.
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Old 10-21-08, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by calbrner
My new bike seems like it's a little too big for me. I have an 09 allez sport 54cm. I am 5'7" and was initially going to get a 52cm but the LBS guy fitted me on a 54 bc he said my femor was long and that my upper torso was long as well. The reason I am wondering is because when I am riding, it doesn't feel comfortable putting my hands on the hood of the bike. I much prefer to have my hands about 1.5" closer to my body.

What can I do to fix this?
I would think that if your femor was long and your upper torso was long that you'd be taller!!! I'm 5' 7" and like a 55cm bike so you're in the ballpark. Like everyone else said, do the stem change after riding the bike for a while if you can't get used to it. Good luck.
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Old 10-21-08, 05:07 PM
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According to Specialized, the 54 TT is only 11 mm longer than the 52:

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...=39253&eid=115

That isn't too much, and you can correct it easily with a 1 cm shorter stem.
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Old 10-21-08, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by calbrner
The guy that fitted my bike at the lbs said the same thing but suggested that I ride on the current one first and come back if it doesn't feel right.
+1 on the stem. Just get a shorter one, and keep the current one in case you get more flexible and want to be more aero.
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