d0nny

I really want an IRO Hiedi 46cm, or Mark V 50cm. Would I fit any of these two bikes? If so, which options do I need to get for them to fit right? Or do I need to be looking at something else? Thanks!

devilshaircut

My 2 girl friends who ride bikes are about 5'5" and they ride 50cm comfortably. They have also ridden my 54cm 10 speed fine as well, though it was clear the bike was a bit tall for them (They could stand over, but only on their tip toes.). I feel like guys tend to have longer legs than girls too (though that could just be in my head), so you should be good.

chrislaaaaamb

Go to your LBS and ask them to fit you.

MadeInItaly

5'5" female on a 54cm . She either has really long legs or doesn't know how a bike should fit comfortably

MadeInItaly

To the OP. Have her try them both if possible. She will get away with either or anywhere in between those two sizes. One will feel better though. Right in the middle would probably be perfect. A nice 48cm.

devilshaircut

Like I said, "it was clear the bike was a bit tall for them (They could stand over, but only on their tip toes.)". The 54cm bike was mine, not theirs. We had decided to go to Critical Mass and we decided to just use my bikes since they were readily available. Anyhow, just wanted to illustrate that 54cm would be the upper end of what a 5'5" rider might be able to use, and that 50cm is more in the comfort range. Obviously when he is picking out a bike the best thing he could do would be to try it on first and see what he is most comfortable on, since geometry matters so much when you think about how diverse peoples' proportions are. But back to the point, I think even in the most ideal situations, 54cm would be a little large, and I just wanted to give some anecdotal evidence why I think that would be the case.

EDIT: To previous poster, the bike was for himself. I assume it is a guy since the member name is d0nny. But I guess it could be a girl also.

queerpunk

the 50 should fit you. i'm also 5'5" with a 29" inseam and I ride a 50cm mark v.

you might need an 80 or 90cm stem, depending on how long your arms and torso are. but you'll figure it out.

Saddle Up

So they can go and spend their money elsewhere?? Your LBS is there to sell bikes and support the people that buy them, they are not there to support people that buy off the interweb.

devilshaircut

Hah yeah, I always feel bad asking info and not buying anything when I go to my LBS ...

But whatever, they have no reason to complain, I've already dropped over 600 bucks there in the last 3 months! Hah.

Saddle Up

I'm 5'8" and a 54cm is to big for me. At 5'5" you should not consider anything over 50cm. Standover height is almost meaningless when it comes to fitting modern bikes.

d0nny

Yes, I'm a male. Yeah, I was thinking about a 48cm, but they are hard to find. From what I've read, noething beats an IRO for the price. And since I live in California, IRO won't charge me tax to make the purchase, which puts me right at my budget!

Anyone know a decent 48cm track bike for $650?

devilshaircut

There are a ton of nice track bikes you can buy that are listed in these very forums!

Popular ones on Bikes Direct, pretty sure they have them in your size, and for wayyy less than 650$, more like, 350$. The Kilo TT comes in 47cm I believe.

EDIT: Also, Swobo sells the Sanchez at 46cm but they are out of stock right now. But my friend has one and it's a joy to ride.

d0nny

Exactly, went to the LBS and got the feeling that they didn't want to size me unless I was ready to commit to something. Which I am, but they wanted 700-750 for an IRO set-up (granted, they said they would built it and it would fit). However, I already knew it was a little cheaper if I got it at IRO directly. Probably not the right way to approach purchasing a new bike, but it's just for cruising around so I can live with a little error...

devilshaircut

I would go with the 50cm (just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt). I like my bike to be a little big for me (mine is a 57cm, and I am 5'10"). But if you want a lot of seat post, and I think a lot of people seem to want that these days, then go smaller to a 47" maybe. But again, I like my bikes large. Small bikes make pedaling feel weird (to me).

d0nny

Hey, just checked out the Kilo TT, the 47 cm seems like it fits like a 50 cm. Am I missing something?

devilshaircut

I've never ridden a 47cm Kilo TT so I couldn't tell you if they feel like they "run large" or not.

If you like the IRO I do say go for it though also ... my coworker has one and he loves it. I've ridden it before and it's a sweet ride.

d0nny

Sweet, thanks!

sjauch

I just built a 50cm Mark V. I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam. I am running a 100mm stem and 167.5 crank arms. I might go to 170's though to get my seat a bit lower. Otherwise the bike fits nice. You'll probably will be fine with the 50cm.
Do you plan on buying it built or buying a frame and parts. If you plan on buying it complete you might ask Tony at IRO to leave your headtube long so you have have it sized and cut once you know how you want it.

j3ffr3y

I'm 5'10" and a 54 fits me perfectly (my madison is a 53 i believe). Don't consider a 54 unless you are like at least 5'8"

beatifik

i'm about 5'5". i used to ride a 53cm mark v pro. i loved it. tony fitted me in his shop himself and said that the 53 would be the correct size for me. they(iro) i think run a little smaller than standard, but i'm no expert.

if you want a more nimble bike get the 50cm if you want a more stable feeling bike get the 53cm. maybe?

i wouldn't go any smaller than 50cm personally though. being cramped on a bike is worse than being streched out on a bike.

chrislaaaaamb

good point.

jitensha!

OP: i'm about the same size as you and i ride a 53c-t (51c-c) alien with a 52c-c top tube and a 90mm nitto track stem and B123's. i've got about a fist and a half of seatpost showing and it fits me fine. i also run clipless pedals, so i've got a little leeway as far as standover goes.

Pell

Slightly off topic, but how do these frames compare to a compact geometry frame as far as sizing is concerned? Does anyone know of any 'charts' or anything comparing the differences?

bbattle

A lot of compact bikes have their geometry charts listing a 'virtual or effective top tube' measurement. Use that instead of small, medium, large.

Saddle Up

Given the same height woman generally have longer legs and shorter torsos and arms than men. Uhh it's the reason they make bikes with woman's geometry.