Originally Posted by mvnsnd

Are your elbows slightly bent when you ride?

Originally Posted by mvnsnd

Are your neck and shoulders relaxed when you ride?

Originally Posted by mvnsnd

You may be able to improve comfort by switching to 25mm wide tires. That made a noticeable difference on my 2013 CAAD10.

Originally Posted by Stucky

I'll bet his elbows are bent at a 90* angle or better!



Doubtful, unless he found a way to mount a periscope on the handlebars.....



Yeah, but a wider tire offers a bigger area on which to burn his tongue when he pants.....

Originally Posted by bigcicero

It's a size 54, and I'm 5'11-3/4" with a 32in inseam (longer torso), 188 lbs, 35 y/o.
-Cicero

Originally Posted by Machka

Can you post a photo of yourself on the bicycle?

Do you have a trainer you can put the bicycle on and take a photo that way? Or hop on and lean against a wall to balance? Something to give us some idea what we're actually dealing with?

Originally Posted by 69chevy

A bit comical, but also a bit hyperbolic.

I can ride my wife's Synapse (54cm) and I am 6'3" and ride a 60 with the seat a foot in the air.

I can position myself fairly comfortably and it is fitted to her. She's 5'9".

If the seatpost wasn't so whacky, I bet I could get the bike very close to fitting me.

You do realize 2cm is less than an inch, right?

Originally Posted by Stucky

You're preaching to the choir I like smaller bikes myself. I can make almost any bike work for me, too- the only thing I don't like, is being too stretched-out; If I have to reach/stretch for the hoods, that kills it for me. Pretty much anything else, I can handle. Yeah, not a huge diff. between a 54 and a 56 - but OP may be more sensitive or less flexible than you or I. I ride 54's.....but i had a 54 once which didn't fit: Top tube was on the longer side...made the bike feel too big for me/stretched me out more than I care to be....hated it. (Yeah, I could've put a substantially shorter stem....but a relaxed geo bike with twitchy steering would be a weird combo- and plus I didn't like the relaxed geo, anyway- Like the OP, I prefer an aggressive position/geo)

Originally Posted by 69chevy

I just get floored by the people who say "cut your losses and sell the bike" for one with a .75" longer seat tube (and maybe a top tube 1" longer).

Modern bikes have 8cm of seat adjustment fore/aft, offset carbon seatposts available, stems that interchange like legos and come in almost any length you want (60mm to 130mm are easy to find), and 2cm is a dealbreaker?

Originally Posted by Stucky

A bike like a Lemond, which typically have long top tubes would be just the ticket- probably in a 56.

No matter what one's proportions (unless they're horribly deformed or something ) there's usually a good number of off-the-shelf bikes that'll work- just a matter of figgering[sic] out what you need, and finding the various bikes whose dimensions meet that criteria.

Originally Posted by Stucky

Yeah, in theory, it sounds ridiculous- but in practice, sometimes a bike just doesn't work for ya- even if it's only off by a couple of centimeters. 2cm's in one place; a few mm's in another....a few degrees here or there; and before you know it, you have to make all kinds of compromises just to get somewhat comfy. Sometimes it is just better to cut one's losses, and start with something that is closer to ideal, and then you have more room to play. That 54 (my normal size) that didn't quite fit me right....I'm sure, by the book, it could have been considered a perfectly fine fit....but that bike just didn't work for me- and rather than making a bunch of compromises, and likely still not being happy, I got rid of it....and the bike I replaced it with, also a 54, fits like a glove.

Originally Posted by ColaJacket

Isn't that part of what a professional fitting will tell him?

GH

Originally Posted by dalava

Making adjustments is not compromising, it's just part of dialing the bike in from stock size to your personal preference. As to why the other 54 fits you better, clearly the geometries of the two bikes, even though they are both 54, are quite different; that includes the angles of the seattube, the headtube and the fork rake. I think OP should at least tinker with the frame he has and see if the can get to a comfortable position which he doesn't quite know yet before spending a lot of $ on the new bike.

Originally Posted by Stucky

Hehyep, yep, yep......but the OP just saved himself $300 by posting here and finding out the same info. And now, when his fit evolves, he won't be as reluctant to make changes, or have to go back and give more dough to the fitter.



Definitely- nothing wrong with dialing-in the fit.....but if you start with a bike which is at least in the ballpark, you won't have to make drastic changes, which could effect the bike's handling and performance- like drastically longer or shorter stems. I mean, if you require a 150mm stem, your bike is the wrong size. Having such a stem may enable one to ride the bike....but it is a compromise in the sense that the bike gonna go from Ferarri handling, to tugboat!

Or if you need to slam the saddle alkl the way back and get an offset seat post....it may make you more comfy...but it may well reduce your pedaling efficiency and kill your knees.......

Originally Posted by 69chevy

Again though, it is all very subjective.

A rider's seat position in relation to the bottom bracket would need drastic changes to make some cyclists uncomfortable or cause knee pain.


Inseam has variables. Some have longer thighs than others with the same measurement.


Some people have a wingspan longer than their body and some have one shorter.


Some people's height includes a neck that's an inch longer than others.


The OP said he doesn't feel quite right, not that he needs a 200mm stem or a 200mm offset post.


He likely needs a cm here, a cm there, and would feel just fine.

Originally Posted by bigcicero

Hi all! Long-time lurker, first time poster. Please go easy I'm looking to see if someone can provide a little advice. I'm having comfort problems on my bike.

I got my first and only road bike in 2013, a 2013 Caad 10. (Please hold off on the 'aggressive geometry' comment for a second!). Being new at the time, I tested several bikes at the LBS and purchased the Caad 10 based on great price for a beginner, great reputation, felt like it was a fast & fun ride, and it seemed like a decent fit on a 15 minute ride. However, I'm having some comfort problems and don't ride as often as I'd like, I think due to the fact that I don't feel great on it. I don't think it's because of the 'aggressive' position - in fact, I lowered the stem to get a better aero position and more speed and like it better, as the flatter back seems more comfortable; and I don't race, but I ride as hard as I can every time I ride and I love to see my speed go up. Also, it's *supposedly* not "fit" - I took the bike to a second LBS who measured me on the bike and confirmed that the size seemed fine for my body, though they put on a stem that was 10mm longer. It's a size 54, and I'm 5'11-3/4" with a 32in inseam (longer torso), 188 lbs, 35 y/o. But I somehow feel crammed and it feels very, very stiff.

I don't have experience with other bikes, so I can't put my finger on what I find uncomfortable. Is it a reflection of the stiffness of the bike or the fit? Is it me? Think I should try a different bike? Would love some suggestions on my next steps.

THANK YOU!
-Cicero

Originally Posted by bigcicero

5'11-3/4

Originally Posted by bigcicero

I'm short on time today, so I'll come back tomorrow hopefully with my measurements and the result of the fit calculator, and I'll snap some pics as soon as I get a chance.

Originally Posted by StanSeven

Not with a 32 inch inseam. Besides with today's fitting on road bike, a 60 is about right for someone 6'1" - 6'2"

Originally Posted by howeeee

your bike is too small
You need a a 60cm frame
dont waste any more time and money on it
get a bike that fits AND
dont get an aluminum bike
they are stiff and mostly uncomfortable
try a good vintage steel bike

Originally Posted by howeeee

your bike is too small
You need a a 60cm frame
dont waste any more time and money on it
get a bike that fits AND
dont get an aluminum bike
they are stiff and mostly uncomfortable
try a good vintage steel bike

Originally Posted by Stucky

You've obviously never ridden a Klein.....

Originally Posted by WhyFi

I have a 32" inseam - what size shirt should I wear?

Originally Posted by pacificaslim

I'm not sure if it's a fit issue or just that you don't like the harshness of aluminum frame. But the frame size is probably fine the way most people fit bikes these days - the suggestion of a 58 or 60 is ridiculous. Seat tube length is basically unimportant since you can raise or lower seat as you'd like and you also have like 8cm adjustability in top tube length by changing stems in the range of 60 to 140. (I.e. 59 top tube with 80 stem equals 54 top tube with a 130 stem). You are only on a 110 stem so you could try a longer stem or bars that have longer ramps.

Originally Posted by howeeee

your bike is too small
You need a a 60cm frame
get a bike that fits AND
try a good vintage steel bike

Originally Posted by valygrl

I'd say get a real fit from retul or specialized b.g. fitter. That will tell you if you can fix it with a new stem or adjusting something or if the frame is just too small. Pro fit is the best upgrade money you can spend. And check your tire pressure you don't need to run max pressure.

Originally Posted by valygrl

Am I really the only one who thinks getting professional help is a good idea? ???? **********???