Large or Extra Large?
 

Hi All,
I am looking at a new bike and my sizing on the Canyon Ultimates is between L and XL. I'm 191cm, and notice that my shorter friends can beat my PR's even when putting out lower watts than me but similar weight, so I guess Aero is champion.

Not going to go completely AEROAD, but I'm between two sizes given I also have a long back.

Question is...
is it better to err on the side of the smaller bike (as my old Ultimate).. .given it is smaller and hunches me in to a tighter and nippier profile?
Or better to go for the larger bike given it may have a longer seat-to-stem/bars distance and be possibly more comfortable or else let my back stretch lower?

Thanks!

Gavin

Bike size doesn't dictate fit. Your fit should suggest one or two sizes that will be compatible.

Yep. The fit leaves me with the L or XL I'm right in the middle, hence the question. "With all other rhings being equal... "

I think it's always a guess which one you'll prefer and do better on. Since no one here knows any of your past cycling history and details of why you liked this and didn't like that, all we can do is make generalizations.

You can probably make either one fit you comfortably. Consider if any of the things like crank length or handlebar width might bother you. If you prefer to be stretched out rather than keep a good bend in your elbows, then the larger bike might be better, but then you might have to deal with longer cranks and wider bars. On the shorter bike conversely, if you still want that stretched out position, you might have to pay more if your bike is one with the integrated stem and handlebars.

Thanks evereyone for the good points!

Generally speaking, if you buy a size that is larger that comfortably fits you, there are very few tweaks you can make in it so it’s better to you. On the other hand, if you have a fractionally smaller size, you play with a few variables and feel much more comfortable. The only exception would be in cases of very short people, where buying smaller than good size may become inconvenient on low speeds while turning, and hitting the front wheel with their shoe.

If you had the same fit on both, you would be in an identical position. You OP suggested that the two sizes would give you different positions.


If there is an ideal, it's the bike that requires 20 of headset spacers and a 100 to 120mm stem.