rryyaannbb

Hi, I'm a 175cm tall 18yo male, and I have done a couple of those online sizing websites, and they recomend from 53-55cm bikes.

There is a 2009 Allez for sale that is cheap, and I am looking to buy, but it is 56cm. Would this be too big for me, or could I cope by just lowering the seat and getting used to it?

(BTW this would be my first road bike, and I could not try it for size until after I have bought it.



Thanks for your help.

PatrickGSR94

As I have quickly learned in the past couple of weeks, size is more about top tube length, and the resultant reach, than it is about seat tube or overall frame height.

I'm 5' 10" barefoot, or 179 cm. However I have the leg length common to someone more like 6' to 6' 2" tall. My torso is a little shorter. As such a size 57 bike (Orbea) felt much too large to me, despite the seat tube and frame height being just fine. It felt like I had to stretch to get on the hoods, even with a 75mm 30° stem (also looked rather ridiculous). I later tried a Trek in a 56 with a more normal 95mm 7° stem and it felt so much better.

I think the fit calculator on Competitive Bike is pretty good. Based on your height I would say a 54 might be just about right.

darb85

GO TO A SHOP AND GET SIZED PROPERLY! Then buy what ever you want

PatrickGSR94

yeah that, too. It was only after visiting a couple of shops and trying bikes that I (and the shop) were able to determine that a 56 was right for me. Now when I'm looking at other stuff I always start by looking at the 56 geometry.

Velo Dog

Well, yeah, but... It's really not fair to use the shop's time and expertise, then buy a used bike somewhere else, which is what it sounds like you're contemplating. Is it possible to ride the bike you're looking at? generally, I've been happier on bikes that were officially a size too big than on those that were too small, but I'm 6'4" and spent 20 years on undersized frames before I got good advice. It's so nice to have room that I may be overemphasizing it...
By old-school standards, most of the riders I see are on bikes that are too small, with 8 inches or more of seatpost sticking out. If top tube length is a problem, you can compensate with a shorter stem

Gjc985

I would say your inseam is the most important thing. Im closer to 6 feet but my legs are real short so i ride a 55. I agree with patrick use the competitive cyclist fit

darb85

I work at a shop, if you come up and are up front about the fact that you are buying used, we will help you. We might even have a bike in the back that might work for you price wise.

revchuck 

If you're up-front about it and indicate you're willing to pay for their time, it could probably be done quickly and cheaply (if not gratis). Asking for help determining what size bike you need isn't the same as asking for a bike fitting.

OP - Getting a bike that's the wrong size just because it's cheap is poor economy. That said, if your ideal size is 54cm, the 56cm bike could probably be made to fit decently by using a shorter stem and adjusting the seat height. There's a lot more to making the bike fit than just seat height.