Sdjclevland

Hey guys first post. I am buying my first road bike. Don't really wanna spend more than 1g I been researching this until I am blue in the face. I bike about twice a week here in ohio. It's a little hilly. I'm not super serious about it or Anythijg like that

From what I gather for 1000 the allez elite is the best for the money? I have looked at a giant and cannondale caad 8 tiagra and a trek demone 2.1 or however you spell it. I am 5'8 so I am in between a 54 and 56. Every bike I sat on I felt just a little stretched on except the specialized so that was the one I was leaning toward.

I just want to make sure for the money there is not something much better which from what I gather there is not. Thanks for help!

DOS

They're all good bikes. For me its hard to beat CAAD 8 frame at that price. However, Specialized makes quality bikes and ultimately the best one is the one that fits. So for you it seems the Specialized is a good choice.

LowCel 

At 5' 8" a 56 is going to be way too big for you. At 5' 8" I would think you would be between a 52 and a 54.

DOS

Not necessarily. Really the important issue is reach, which is dictated by TT not the seat tube length, which is usually what the size number is referencing. I am six feet tall and ride 58 Cdale and a 60 retro Schwinn. Both have same TT length so both fit .I also have inseam length that is on average shorter than usual for people of my height but I am relatively long from waste to shoulder so I need relatively long reach to be comfortable. Conversely, someone with long legs but shorter trunk might need a different size. So 56 might work for someone 5'8, so might 54. FWIW my wife is 5'5 and rides 52.

I think OP approach, riding multiple bikes and buying the one he is comfortable on is the right one irrespective of what it says on the Seattube.

LowCel 

A 56 Allez has a 56.5 effective top tube. Odds of someone being 5' 8" and riding a bike with a 56.5 top tube is pretty low.

Sdjclevland

Well everytime I go to a shop they wanna give me a 54 at first. The problem I have is when I get on it I feel bunched up some. Also they have to adjust the seat high but the handlebars are too low. When I pedel the 54 my knees are almost hitting my arms and that's with the seat adjusted proper.

When I ride the large frame or 56 I have opposite issue. Now I have room but feel stretched like my arms are locked out when I am all the way down But I been to 3 different shops and everyone says to go with the 56 when they see me on it. Unless the allez was already adjusted a certain way that was the first one I rode where I did not feel so stretched out with my arms locked out. I have a 30 length in pants btw

LowCel 

In that case it sounds like the Allez just isn't the bike for you. You may need to go with a bike with a taller head tube.

Check out this fit calculator and see what you come up with. It should get you in the ball park. Don't go by pants size for your inseam, take the time to take the measurements.

DOS

If LowCel is correct and Specialized TT length is 56.5, I am kind of surprised based on above that you felt less stretched on that bike. Both the Cdale and Trek options have shorter TTs, with the Trek, which has the least aggressive geometry of any of the bikes, having shortest. But again, it's hard to make broad generalizations about fit. Your inseam is less than 2 inches shorter than mine (32 inseam pants bunch on tops of my feet) yet I am 4 inches taller than you.

If you feel stretched, talk to LBS about saddle position and stem adjustments.

LowCel 

Allez Elite geometry.

DOS

I believed you, I just hadn't checked myself. I also agree that taller HT might be in order. Domaine offers that, 17.5 with 55.5 ETT.

OP also might try Cdale Synapse alloy, which has 18cm HT on 56 in same price. TT is longer than Domaine.

Sdjclevland

Thanks I am gonna look into this. I for sure wanted the bars a little higher on everything I rode.

MetalPedaler

Something is seriously wrong there. At 5'8", a 54 would be about as big as you'd want to go- and it would likely be too big. I'm 5'10" and ride a 54 - any bigger, and it'd be too big for me. I don't see how it's possible for you to be having these issues on a 54, unless a)You are Kermit The Frog, or B)The shop is jerking you around and putting the seat WAY too low.....

Try a different shop- I'll bet your experience will be 100% different. At 5'8" a 52-54 should do ya. Something just isn't adding up here.....

m2ber04

5'11" here and i ride the tarmac in 56. Same geometry. Fit is spot on. I would shoot for 54. 52 maybe too small in the allez.

Sdjclevland

Ok i just got back from the shop. Without me even sayijg Anythijg the guy said I look like a 56 and when I put me on it he said everything looked pretty good. He put me on a trainer and set me up more than others have. I rode the synapse the bike itself felt great. I would still want to bring the bars closer just a little bit.

I have been to many different shops and they all seem to reccomend the 56. Tomorrow I am going back and trying the 54 again just to make sure. I even had a guy ask for his bosses advice watch me ride on a 54 and he said to go up. One thing I can say forsure with every 54 I rode is there is no doubt the bars would have to come up a decent amout on them cause the seat would be so high compared to the bars

here2day

I'm 5'10" and ride an Allez Elite 56 - fits like a glove. Think arm and inseam length matter so YMMV.

DOS

Man, I am 6 feet and I would be scrunched on 56 unless I used a 130mm stem. Even then my saddle would be 6 inches above the bars (too high, I like 3 inches or so). Size and fit or very personal so I try not to generalize.

icyclist 

"I am buying my first road bike."

Great!

"when I get on it I feel bunched up some"

I doubt you'll initially feel comfortable on your first road bike, no matter what the geometry. How about renting a couple of bikes for a day each with different geometry - one more agressive, one more relaxed - and see which you like. Yeah, it'll cost some money, but you won't get stuck with a bike you realize isn't right for you.

There's a reason most people don't pedal road bikes - they aren't designed to be particularly comfortable, and they aren't supposed to be comfortable - they were and they are designed to be efficient at moving you from one point to another. Comfort? Think hybrid, think beach cruiser, think mountain bike. ;-)

LowCel 

Did you try the fit calculator that I linked to earlier?

Sdjclevland

Yeah I looked at it but don't have time to do all the measurements yet. Thank you!

And by bunched up I just feel like my knees are coming too close to my arms when peddling and the seat is adjusted proper

Sdjclevland

I mean is this ok when I am prodding if I knees are coming close like this?

LowCel 

When I am in the drops it is not uncommon for my knees to touch my elbows.

LowCel 

If you are planning on spending a grand on a bike and you aren't sure what size you are going to need I would find ten minutes or so to do it. Personally, I would trust that a lot more than I would some strangers' opinions on the internet.

DOS

LowCel makes a compelling case. Even the LBS guys have some motivation to move what they have in stock rather than what fits you best.

Sdjclevland

Thanks guys. Trust me I been to many shops and have spent over an hour in them. I spent a decent amount of time with a guy today even just on one bike. Tomorrow I am going back. It seems everyone on here is saying I should be a 54 so I am going to make sure to try it again tomorrow. I will report back which what happens. The fit issue is the only thing stopping me right now. Maybe i can try to take a few pics.

But when not in the drops my knees should not be up byy elbows right? Also I know these guys are just doing a general set up wrh no test them and they never raise the handle bars so maybe that's why also the 54 has not been feelijg rigt?

tangerineowl

If you weren't in the U.S., I was going to suggest Merida, after reading your fit issues.
They seem to have the shortest top tube/tallest headtube combo of many bikes I've looked at.

Anyway, good luck with your search and take your time.