Notgrownup

I had a 56cm CAAD8 with basic 8 speed components, it was ok but I sold it because it was too small for my 6'1" 250 lbs body, fast forward last week, Bought a 60cm Trek Madone 2.1 with 105 group set...WOW! Talk about smooth....
I am so glad I got this bike, I got discouraged with the smaller bike and hung it up last year but I needed to get my big A$$ back on the bike....

kflagg 

Nice choice on bike and getting back in the saddle my man!

Notgrownup

Starting with 10 mile runs to get the legs going again...keeping my cadence high as I can ....I love it.

LGHT

I felt the same way after riding a bike from 07. The next best thing that made riding so much more comfortable was a professional bike fit. All my aches and pains from riding went away after that fit.

Wittyname

Sounds like money well spent. Enjoy the miles!

the engine

The best part about a new and better bike ... it motivates you to ride more, which will get your butt back on the bike. Enjoy the new toy!!

Frreed

I just traded in my old CAAD8 as well. It was a sweet bike, but I am almost ten years older than when I bought it. Big difference between 45 and 55 yoa. The new Giant Defy 1 is lighter, more comfortable and has a compact drive. I only have a couple rides on it, but it seems to be faster and I am enjoying it a bunch. Probably more of a placebo effect, but it is different.

dr_lha

I see so many big guys on tiny bikes. I don't get it. Glad you broke free of this cycle and are happier for it!

jsigone

I don't think the 56 is a tiny bike for a 6'1 guy/ gal. It's a race bike geo very similar to old classic roadie geo. In a 56, it's aggressive fitting for sure any way you slice it but not small.

Having a longer top tube and taller head tube of the new madone will give similar reach but without having to be uber flexible. Give the OP much more range of stems to use as well to fine fit to his current needs or needs yrs from now. Congrats on the new wheels @Notgrownup but we need pics

jade408

56cm sounds uber small to me. I am 5'4" and got a 54cm bike (townie purposes) that fits great. I'd go a bit smaller for a road bike but I am 7 inches shorter than the OP. My inseam is around 32".

dr_lha

For the record, I'm 6'2" and ride a 57cm frame. But we all know quoting one number for frame size is meaningless right? My comment was based on the OP saying his CAAD8 was too small for him. i suspect it was because he got caught with the current trend in bike sales of aggressively pushing buyers to the smallest bike that will fit, often to their detriment.

Notgrownup

I believe that different bikes seem different in the same size In different manufactures, the 60cm Madone feels more like a bike that guts me compared to the 56cm CAAD8 which looked like I was Gorilla screwing a football...lol. I believe the guy selling me the CAAD wasn't that good at measuring me or the bike is all and I took his word. When I visited several other (6-7) bike shop they all told me I needed to be eithe on a 58 or 60 cm depending on the brand.

WarrenR

Some retailers will sell you what they have rather then what you need.

Notgrownup

You are correct there Brother Maritimer....I am originally from around Bathurst NB....This guy just happened to have a leftover 56cm CAAD8

Notgrownup

I tried to post pics but I think they are to big of a file, I will take some with my iPad. BTW, I know two guys my size riding 56cm and they are ok with them, their arms are a bit shorter than mine so that could also make a difference I guess, it's all in fit. For me it was fit and comfort and I hit it on the nail I hope.

ColaJacket

Inseam makes as much difference in bike size as total height.

I am ~5'5", but I have an inseam of 28". I went with a 49cm Fuji. Also, I'm just getting back into riding, so my fitness and flexibility will probably grow a lot in the next year. If I feel that the bike is too small then, I'll try a longer stem or trade up.

If I had bought a Trek or Specialized, I would have gone with a 52cm. Different bikes have different geometries. Especially in reach compared to seat tube length and top tube height.

GH

dr_lha

True that, and what they have most of is 56cm bikes in my experience.

jsigone

I'm not knocking going larger frame, good for you to try something else. Some of those sales guys are trained in one way via paper only, not what customers what/need. But also the LBS shop for that training.

jade408

I know it can vary a lot. I have long arms and a really short torso. Fitting is not always so obvious. Men tend to have longer torsos (compared to legs). This means "more reach" at a given frame. Women tend to need less reach. Having longer arms makes smaller frames feel like they have cramped cockpits, whereas for someone else it feels quite different.

BigDB67

Amen to that. I am 6-2 and I was sold a 56cm bike by someone who knew nothing about bikes. Luckily I was able to take it back and trade it in for a 58cm 11 months later. Gotta love that REI Membership!

jsigone

And the kick backs checks in feb/march. Their members only sales on returned items is quiet dangerous as well....At least I won't need camping gear for a while

kc0bbq

I'm 6'2" and ride a 56cm. My backup bike is a 59, and even though it is far less aggressive (both drop bar bikes), it is much less comfortable. I suspect a lot of 56 frames wouldn't work, but for some reason this one is magically comfortable. When I had a fitting done my PT didn't even want to change the stem out for a longer one.

The toe overlap, though. If I'm not paying attention it can get a little comical.