ManBearPig

I'm no expert racer or anything. This is just what I think.

Bike too large is like having shoes too large. They say wear thicker socks, but that's b.s., it's not the same. My personality, once I find out it's improperly sized I'm doing whatever I can to change that, not adapt. Like when my first bike, a Klein, was too big, I sold it and bought less expensive Trek, just so I could have the better fit.

alanbikehouston

Bar height is the key to comfort on a bike. If your hands are lower than your saddle, you will be putting weight on your hands, whether your stem is 140mm or 50mm.

Just get the saddle low enough that you have a noticeable bend in the knee with the pedal at 6 o'clock and get your hands as high as the saddle. Do NOT pay any attention to how Pro racers set up their bikes, nor to how forty year old stock brokers PRETENDING to be Pro racers set up their bikes.

tarman

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. For the record, the bike is a 2004, and the XL for that year does say 57-61cm (https://www.k2bikes.com/04products/road/mach2.asp) with an effective top tube of 57.5cm. Either way, I think I should go for the professional fitting. Anyone know a good place in or around Boston?

t

halfspeed

Yes, do go for a fitting and make sure the fitter knows =exactly= what your intentions are. Also print out everything else in this thread and line your birdcage with it. I haven't seen so much bad sizing advice in one place in a long time. How anyone can pretend to be able to suggest a size based solely on height and inseam (without even knowing if it's pants inseam or crotch to floor) is beyond me.

theopowers

I suggest you start a new thread for this one, with "Boston" in the title. Or "I hate A-rod, and I need a good pro fitting".

ManBearPig

I don't care it's still the largest size available, the XL

Compare the geometries:

2004 Geometry

2005 Geometry

The 2004 model has the same top tube length, but the seat tube is even taller!

Also, the upper end of the 2004 model (61cm) is larger than that of the 2005 model (60cm). Besides, that is meaningless anyway -- the frame is rigid, no telescoping top tube or down tube, so how can they say a particular frame is equivalent to a range of sizes?

Post a pic of yourself on the bike, hands on the hoods, feet on the pedals.

simplyred

What's the look?

biker7

the bike is fine for your size. You get over an extra inch on the head tube which further erodes the modest 10mm difference in effective top tube length between the XL and L.
A 575mm top tube is not long for your size and proportions. You can easily tune this with a reasonable stem reach and enjoy the extra handlebar height of the taller steerer tube/XL size. Your reach will easily change my 20mm is you continue to ride consistently over the summer. If you put a 90mm stem on it now, you will likely want something longer. I am an older rider that rides a 586mm top tube bike with a 100mm stem and I am only slightly larger than you and the bike fits perfectly and I too enjoy the benefit of a taller steerer tube and my handlebars up near the seat. Much of bike fit pertains to your personal preference and a slightly big bike for your size will tend to be more comfortable.
Enjoy it...you will never get a solid consensus on bike fit from here or any 3 different LBS's you have a fitting performed at.
George

theopowers

When she looks back at you with disdain, then drops you like a rock.