cmthomas33

Purchasing my first new bike in a while...goin' with the Motobecane Messenger:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../messenger.htm

15 years old, bout 5'7

Should I go with a 54 cm or 56 cm?? I'd like to have this bike for a long time & grow into it and all, but am definately gonna use it this summer.

54 or 56???

pompadork

15 god damn.

I'd say 54.

the_don

54. I am 5'10 and ride 56cm, but my last bike was a 54cm and fit fine. Just raise the seat up to get good leg extension as you grow and a longer stem if you really need it.

jeanHTX

go to any bike shop and pretend you're interested in a bike and when they ask your size say you're unsure about being a 54 or 56. try both and voila! i'm 5'4 and i ride 52, 52 is PERFECT actually, 54 is too big. my boy is 6' and rides 58-60. it really depends on your inseam, so like i said... go to any shop and try out a bike on both 54 and 56.

then when they try to convince you to buy their 2k bicycle, tell them you have to go home and talk to your parents about it, and buy your new motobecane. but 15? really? and you say you haven't purchased one in a while?

clink83

No.
Inseam means very little really. It's all about your upper body porportions, and how long the top tube is.

jeanHTX

yeah, after reading my post, i agree. i am mostly suggesting he go to a real bike and standover it, ride it, etc. than try to guesstimate by all of our heights/bike sizes.

lukewall

54 and 56 both sound a little big. I'm 5'6" and I ride anywhere from 47-52 depending on geo. Unless you're all arms and torso, i'd go smaller. Looking at the geo chart for the messenger i'd ride the 49, but everyone is different.

cmthomas33

been riding this beater cruiser for a while now...finally got the cash for a decent bike

i'll go test a few at the LBS, thanks to all