bigdufstuff

I know sizing is some what based on individual feel, but I wanted some opinions. My frame is a Bianchi Limited, which appears to be a somewhat old style road bike. The BB to TT looks about 57ish cm and the TT is about 58 cm. I myself am about 5'11". I have never been professionally fitted so I don't know exactly how to size a bike, but I can't help but feel like I need to reach to rest on the hoods. Besides this slight reach I LOVE this bike. I'm wondering if I should try to sell it, but I only want to sell it if it really is a bad fit and not my imagination. I took some pictures of me on it. If anyone more experienced in sizing could give me some opinions I would appreciate it.

Schwinnrider

Good idea to take the pics! It looks like you are very uncomfortable on that bike. Your elbows look locked out, and that's no good. The common solution to that is to raise the bars, because bars get closer as they get higher. If you have a quill stem that's easy. If your stem is too short to raise the bars much, there are plenty of Nitto Technomic stems available.

Now let's see how many responses you get. :-)

solveg

It looks like your saddle is really far back. And low?

bigdufstuff

You are right, it was all the way back for some reason. I moved it forward all the way which looked like about 1.5 to 2 cm. I gotta say though the bike doesn't feel a whole lot different.

CommuterRun

My unqualified opinion suggests that you bend your elbows a little, lean forward a little more and roll your shoulders forward. I don't think I can make any kind of accurate judgment based on three side view, still photos, but it looks to me like you're trying to sit up too straight.

When you stand flatfooted straddling the bike, how much space is there between the top tube and your crotch?
If it's less than 2" the frame might be too big.
If it's more than 3" it's likely too small.
If it's close to that then try an upper body position adjustment. Try it for a few miles and see how it feels.
If the bike still doesn't feel quite right you can play around with things like saddle position, seat post setback, stem length, etc. Only adjust one thing at a time so you can tell what kind of difference that adjustment made.

You might want to take a look at this:
https://sheldonbrown.com/pain.html
Specifically see "Posture".

There's a lot more and better information on that site than I can give.

markhr

Your stem looks a little long.

I've always worked on knee over pedal axle when cranks are horizontal and front hub axle obscured when riding in the drops(racing position for MTBs). It's kind of "one size fits none" but it's comfortable for me and worked with every bike I've had. Just always make sure your saddle is never too high as this can seriously and permanently damage your knees.

I'm 1.81m (5'11") with an averagely proportioned body and ride a ~56cm. I did ride a 58 for a while but always found it a little too big.

NeezyDeezy

+1 to the stem suggestion

You could get a much shorter or longer one and I bet anything it would solve your issues.

bigdufstuff

I took the tap measure and put it on the top of the top tube and then crammed it into my crotch and it measured about 2-2.5 inches.

solveg

What was THAT supposed to do?

bigdufstuff

From the center of the handlebar tube to the center bolt that secures the quill, it was about 10.5 cm. Not sure how this compares to the typical stem.

I am willing to spend money to fix this problem if it will likely fix it. I'm a little concerned that I'll spend money trying to fix it and in the end it will be fruitless. Like I said I really like this bike and would prefer to keep it if I can.

bigdufstuff

Haha, commuterrun suggested it.

solveg

I think it's in the right range for you if you get that seat positioned on top of the pedals. You have to have someone else help you, and hold a weight on a string down. I think this is explained on Sheldon's site. Without that right, nothing will work for you.

LittleBigMan

Hey, Bigdufstuff,

I'm from Atlanta, too (not that it makes any difference concerning my opinion on bikes.) Just wanted to say it, though.

You can always go to an LBS and let them see you on the bike, assuming they aren't trying to sell you one to replace it. Bottom line, though, is that if you don't feel comfortable on it, it might not be for you, even if the LBS says it looks good.

As for me, I don't like being as bent over as some bikes try to put me, yet at the same time, I don't like some bikes overly upright riding position. I like something between the two.

But each person should find what works best for them.

solveg

Really the height of that top tube is only a good measurement if your body is very, very average.

I have really short legs, and in order to get the top tube long enough, I have to buy a bike where the top tube is about 1/4" from my crotch. People with long legs and a short torso might have quite a bit of room at the top tube. The length of the top tube is most important.

You're in the right size range, traditionally for your height.

RomSpaceKnight

If your pedals are level and you drop a plumb bob from the front of your knee it should hang right over the pedal axle. Legs should be almost but not quite straight when at lowest point of pedal stroke. Standover height is variable depending on frame type. For an old style straight top tubed bike I would say anything from 1-2" max of standover height. Cockpit length can be varied by longer or shorter stems and by raising or lowering your handlebars. This is a roadbike. Aerodynamics is a huge part of cycling. Your not going to get the comfort of a flatbarred MTB. Road bikes are like Japanese crotch rockets they feel more comfy the faster you go. If you sit on bike and look at front axle, it should appear 1-2 inches behind handlebar. I would suggest going to an LBS equipped to size you and get there recommendations. Either that or buy a stem with a shorter length.

bigdufstuff

If I get a new stem what size would you guys suggest?

solveg

You're asking too much of us. We can't tell from the photo, and that one has the seat too far back. Bring the bike into a shop and say you need a new stem. They'll probably do a fitting on you right there to determine which size to buy. Go to a small LBS, not a big superstore LBS.

bigdufstuff

Good point solveg. I'll find some time to go to the LBS and get some personal attention to the problem. Thanks for all the help everyone!

markhr

+1

that's good advice

CommuterRun

Stand over height. Pretty much the keystone for commercially made bikes. All other measurements/sizing come after that. If the frame is the wrong size, nothing will fit. Too small will always feel small, too big will always feel big. For a road bike, this bike should be in the range that will let Bigdufstuff try different components until he hits on something he's happy with, without wasting his time.

solveg

Stand over height is irrelevant, except if the top tube actually touches you.

cerewa

Just going by the look of that frame, it seems to be made for someone like you who's taller than average. It's not a giant-size frame. I can't see the seat in the photo but if it is tilted back then your body will slip toward the back part of the seat. Seats usually work best with the tip about the same height as the rear and most of your weight resting halfway between the front and rear.

From the photo, it really looks like your butt might be hanging way off the back of the seat (if the seat was just 2cm behind its furthest-forward position when the photo was taken).

Or maybe your seat and handlebars are just too far apart for your body type, I don't really know.

bigdufstuff

I've been looking at my bike some more and in addition to the suggestions I've received here I think my brake hoods are too far down on the drops. I think bringing them up a little will help as well.

pinkrobe

No! This is not correct! solveg was right - standover height is largely irrelevant. For example, I have 2 "road" bikes. The reach [effective top tube length] differs by about 3/8", but the standover differs by about 4". If I sized these bikes by standover, one bike would fit, but the other would either be way too big or way too small. Taken another way, if I went by standover, I would be riding a 58cm traditional road frame. In fact, I ride a 54cm frame...

Check Sheldon Brown's fit guide, or use the fit guide for road bikes at Competitive Cyclist. They both work quite well.

mstrpete

I wonder if going from drop bars to straight bars might help. A shorter stem was my first thought, though.