fitting advice for short-legs, long-torso
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fitting advice for short-legs, long-torso
Been looking through a number of bike-fitting guides and am finding myself the exception not the rule to posted guidelines. Of course I realize I should have this looked at by my LBS, but unfortunately I find that the LBSes I've visited try to steer me toward whatever they have in stock rather than what's best for me.
I'm of average height (just shy of 5'9") but have a 28" inseam, which is more what you'd expect of someone 5'4" or so. So, short torso and long legs.
The usual calculations put me at about a 49cm road frame, but when I test-ride bikes in that size although my legs are OK-ish it feels like I'm on a tricycle because I'm towering over the handlebars.
I think my best bet is to go with a slightly larger bike (52-53cm) so I can stretch out sufficiently but keep the seat a bit lower than I would on a smaller, more "appropriately" sized frame.
does that sound reasonable? other thoughts out there? thanks much.
I'm of average height (just shy of 5'9") but have a 28" inseam, which is more what you'd expect of someone 5'4" or so. So, short torso and long legs.
The usual calculations put me at about a 49cm road frame, but when I test-ride bikes in that size although my legs are OK-ish it feels like I'm on a tricycle because I'm towering over the handlebars.
I think my best bet is to go with a slightly larger bike (52-53cm) so I can stretch out sufficiently but keep the seat a bit lower than I would on a smaller, more "appropriately" sized frame.
does that sound reasonable? other thoughts out there? thanks much.
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Just for comparison. I'm 5' 8" with a 29" inseam. I'm riding a 56cm Specialized Roubaix Elite which fits great. If you get a bike with a sloping top tube you can buy a larger frame which helps to solve the longer torso problem.
My advice, since you're near a large city, is to find a professional bike fitter and have them measure you up and then, armed with that info, go shopping for a bike that fits those measurements. It would be money well spent.
Good luck, Jim
My advice, since you're near a large city, is to find a professional bike fitter and have them measure you up and then, armed with that info, go shopping for a bike that fits those measurements. It would be money well spent.
Good luck, Jim
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we're pretty much the same size...a 56 fits you?? wow. wouldn't've seen that coming.
where do you find a professional bike fitter that's not trying to sell you a bike? interesting idea.
where do you find a professional bike fitter that's not trying to sell you a bike? interesting idea.
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+1 on a sloping top-tube.. that is your answer, either that or you'll have to go custom.
JimT, a 56cm roubaix has a standover of 31.5" ... you must be very cautious getting on and off the bicycle.
JimT, a 56cm roubaix has a standover of 31.5" ... you must be very cautious getting on and off the bicycle.
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i'm surprised to hear that too. I did the standover on a 56" trek pilot, which also has a sloping tube, and it was quite snug on the gentlemen...
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Jim
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You can also use this online calculator for a do-it-yourself fitting: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO
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As others have said, find a bike you like with the "compact" frame type or sloping top tube to give you leg clearance with a frame size/tt that gets your upper body comfortable. Just don't over do it.
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Check out the Gary Fisher line form Trek. I've heard they adopted the famous Lemond geometry after booting Greg. The long torso geometry. I love the fit on my Lemond as I'm a long torso dude myself.
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Don't be too concerned if the stand over is higher than your true inseam. I rode a bike for 8k miles with -1cm of standover clearance. When you stop or get on/off a bike you naturally tilt it to one side reducing the true standover.
#12
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With the same problem on an existing bike, I ended up with a somewhat extended stem, and a saddle that would position far enough forward to get the fit. Sounds like I was working against myself, but that is what finally worked.
Hopefully, you won't have to go this route since you are getting a new bike instead of making an existing bike work for you.
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Yup... Saddle height(from top of saddle to centre of the bb) is fixed, once you find that comfortable height write that measurement down and save it.
If you get a larger frame you will be dealing with a taller head-tube, which would make for a funny road racing bicycle fit since your slammed seat and jacked head-tube would result in an upright position even though you would still be stretched out. You could overcome this with a stem which has a real big drop, but when you get into off sized stems that usually means the bike is the wrong fit...
If you get a larger frame you will be dealing with a taller head-tube, which would make for a funny road racing bicycle fit since your slammed seat and jacked head-tube would result in an upright position even though you would still be stretched out. You could overcome this with a stem which has a real big drop, but when you get into off sized stems that usually means the bike is the wrong fit...
#14
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The sloping top tube helps, but I end up with a longer stem on every bike. I'm 6' with baarely 32" standover height.
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