Originally Posted by
gthomson
A hot topic for sure and I guess the industry would say you need to get a professional bike sizing to get the best fit, or at least that's what I keep seeing in videos. I think it makes sense to get a bike sizing but what about having multiple bikes, never mind multiple bike types? I have a newer Cannondale bike, 56 cm that I feel fits me quite well and I can ride it for long distances with minimal issues, despite never having got a bike sizing. But then I jump on one of my older steel bikes and now I'm on a different bike geometry and so does that impact the comfort I should have?
Same thing when I ride my 90's mountain bike which is a different geometry and different sizing consideration than the road bikes.
I ride a lot of different road bikes with a 5cm range in frame sizes (58-63cm in traditional, level tt sizes) very comfortably. For me the 'perfect bike fit' has a lot of range, given all the variables. Lucky to still have decent flexibility. And a desire to ride them all. Admittedly, the 58cm ones would not be my preference for a leisurely century. As the 62cm+ would not be my best climbing bikes.
With the latest bike purchase, I was advised by online calculators and a LBS to get a size large. But this one may see some gravel, so I wanted the longer wheelbase and I do like to stretch the upper body, so I sized to XL which closely matches my other carbon fiber bike. Maybe my arms are long for 6'1".