Haruhiism

So I'm looking to buy a Cervelo S3, and the town where the bike is at is several hours a way but it's a good deal. I am exactly 6 ft tall with a 87 cm true inseam. The bike is 58 cm, would it fit?

I usually ride a 58 cm, but I like and can ride smaller frames (56 cm) & flexibility is not a issue. The thing is, I'm not sure how Cervelo bikes are sized since I have never owned one. As an example of what I mean; I have a 57 cm Bianchi that actually measures 55 cm C-T, which at first concerned me, but I ended up enjoying riding it more than I do my other bikes that are all 58 cm. My worry is that if I get the Cervelo S3, that should theoretically fit at 58 cm, I'll end up with a smaller or worse, a bigger frame than intended and would've made the 8 hour trip for naught.

Any help would be appreciated. I can provide more of my measurements if needed if it'd help guide me to the correct size.

rpenmanparker 

Forget the seat tube. You need to match your preferred effective top tube length and head tube length. Or better yet stack and reach.

Dopefish905

S series fits a bit small, I'm 5.10.5 and a 54 fits me perfect with a 100mm stem. I've rode other 56 frames that fit similar

StanSeven

Cervelo's website has all the measurements by size you need. Compare with the bikes you now have that fit the best. Look at them all but the important are stack, reach, and top tube length.

dalava

5'10, 32 inseam, Cervelo 56cm S3 with 100mm stem fits me like a glove

Haruhiism

Understood, thank you. I'll take these into account to be priority from now on.

What year is it?

32 true inseam?

I've found several charts for the S3, this is the one I'm pretty sure is the right one , but it kind of throws me off a bit. Is there a way to tell which seat tube angle it has? I thought smaller frames had slightly larger angles, which would make sense when comparing the top tube measurement of the chart given--but how do you know the angle of a given 58 cm frame?

[HR][/HR]

Anyway, thank you everyone for your replies.

I <3 Robots

I'd go compare the stack and reach like what the other guys are saying. Cervelo changed their geo slightly when they went to the new S2/S3 to match the geo of the R Series. I'm 5'8" and have a 54 2012 S2. I think if I was to go with their new geo...I'd size down to a 51.

The chart you put up is of the old geometry. The seat tube angle is based off how you orient the seatpost. Default position is the 73 deg STA.

This is the current geometry,
https://www.cervelo.com/media/docs/S2...6ae2a355-0.pdf

dalava

yes, 32 in true inseam, it hurt my jewel when I measured it with a book in between the legs against the wall

dalava

OP, my feeling is that 58 might be a tad big based on your height and inseam unless you have relatively long arms, but could work. If it's a good deal, I would say it's worth the drive to at least check it out.

Haruhiism

Thanks! Although perhaps I should've been more clear. I am looking at a 2011 S3. Would this geometry chart still be applicable then? If so, the measurements are pretty close (although just a tad smaller on the S3) on the 58 cm S3 when comparing to my 58 cm Specialized.

Haruhiism

These are my full measurements:

Actual inseam - 87 cm

Trunk - 63.3 cm

Forearm - 39.3 cm

Arm - 68.5 cm

Thigh - 64.9 cm

Lower leg - 56.7 cm

Sternal notch - 151.6 cm

Total height - 183 cm

Not sure if I have relatively long arms, though I always felt like I kind of did. Do those measurements give you a bit of an idea? Not expecting a full analysis because I know that isn't fully achieved online, but just an opinion. I would just hate to drive there, test ride the bike for 20 minutes after feeling it fits, take it with me because I'm sure I'll fall in love with it, and later find myself wishing I would've kept looking for a smaller frame during one my 2 hour rides.

[HR][/HR]

And just to be sure and reiterate, from anyone who would know this based on experience--so do S3 Cervelo frames from 2011 tend to come a bit bigger, or smaller? Maybe neutral? The chart I've seen gives me an idea, but I'd like to hear this from others as well.

k0ric

I would size down.

ColaJacket

This.

If you have a bike that you're pretty dialed in on, get the stack/reach numbers for it, and compare them to the Cervelo. If you've replaced the stem, you may need to play with those numbers a bit. But at least that will give you an idea of what Cervelo is closest to your current bike(s).

GH

I <3 Robots

If you're looking at a 2011 S3, then the chart you put up is the correct one. When I bought my Cervelo, I was on a 52cm Cannondale. I used the reach number on my C'dale (381)...and going by the reach...I had to size up to a 54cm Cervelo (380). The reach varies on frame makers...so if your fit is dialed on your current ride...Then I would look at the stack and reach.

Haruhiism

Thank you all again. After taking every one's thoughts into account, and doing a lot of thinking I decided the 56 cm would be a better fit for me. I actually think the 58 cm would fit me as well, so I will go ahead and drive up to test out the 58 cm anyway to make sure. I also found a 2012 S5 with Di2 Ultegra that's much closer to me for about the same price as the S3 2011 (cheaper actually), and that one is a 56 cm.

Gonna try both, will update this thread if I get either of them.

StanSeven

Good strategy. I agree the 58 likely will fit but it's going to feel and ride like it's too large. That's when Cervelo used the more endurance or relaxed geometry with the taller head tube. The 56 should be much better but you may need a longer stem.

C9H13N 

I am 1.87m with 89cm inseam and I ride a 58cm Cervelo S1 (same geometry) with 11cm stem. If I was any smaller I would definitely want a 56cm frame.