Splatface

I ordered a giant defy advanced pro 2 from my local bike shop. It's not a model they had in stock so they ordered it for me. I put down 100% that they wanted for them to order it sense it not a model they had on the floor ( cycling weekly 2016 bike of the year go figure), and it is waiting to be picked up.
I know that Giants tend to be large for size but the manager recommended a M/l and I'm 5'9. How big a deal do you think it would be for the LBS to return it and exchange it if it ends up being to big. This bike shop has good reviews online but I've never delt with them before.

Thanks

znomit

Probably OK if the LBS hasn't assembled it yet. You really want to test ride these bikes, thats what LBSs are for!

Splatface

It's assembled. Supposed to go in for a fit tomorrow. I did test ride a ML that they did have but I'm having my doubts the more I read.

allen254

You should be on 52cm my next bone will be a 52 or 51cm im 5'8

Luis G.

I think they can get another frame in iirc. This is what happened with my brother in law's bike at a Trek dealer.
Test ride it first. If it's not the right size, do not accept it.
Their distributor may have not had hey may have not had a medium or sm.

Silvercivic27

A good shop will make it right for you whether the distributor takes it back or not. Especially if THEY are the ones who recommended that size to you!!
I hope you found a good shop.

badger1

Fit is not an exact science, of course, but at 5'9 you are off the charts (Giant's own sizing chart) for a M/L Defy: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca...2/24649/89631/ (click 'what is my size').

On the assumption that the LBS is a Giant dealer, there really shouldn't be an issue with their being willing to get you a M to try.

softreset

I'm 5'10" with a 28" inseam and I ride a Medium in Giant with a 110 stem.

Giant won't take the product back (they don't for us) when you buy it... it's yours. However, I agree with the other posters that if it's not the right bike fit and the whole reason you're in that situation is because the shop manager made the wrong recommendation there's absolutely no reason you should be on the hook. Now if you came in and said: I want this bike in a M/L and I don't care what you try to tell me and it doesn't fit... that's your problem and you'd be 100% on the hook for 100% of your deposit/payment.

I'd also make sure that you're totally satisfied with the purchase before you walk out the door. When we sell a bike (and we sell Giant) we do a fit and make sure everything is dialed in for your comfort. When you walk the door, the bike is yours. So the expectation from us is that any test rides and that sort of stuff are done before you finalize the transaction and walk out the door.

rms13

They didn't have any Defy in the store for you to test and get fitted? M and M/L are the two most common sizes so if they didn't have a single one that's the worst LBS on earth. I'm pretty sure Giant requires them to have stock on hand. The geometry on all Defy from lowest level Claris up is the same and I don't believe geometry has changed in years so they should be able to fit you on any model

rmfnla

If they recommended that size it's their error if it's wrong.

Regardless of whether or not they can return it you are not compelled to keep an ill-fitting bike...

Splatface

Well I went for my fit today and everything seemed to be good. My geometry measured out good and we shortened the stem from 110 to 75. Seems to feel and fit great. He said I have a long torso and longer arms for my height. I guess charts arnt everything. It is amazing how an inch or 2 makes a big difference. The fitter recommended the longer TT and shorter stem then vice versa. Stated I would be more upright that way. Steering doesn't seem twitchy at all.

rms13

IMO, if you need a 75mm stem the bike doesn't fit

SSRI

I second that. 75mm stem is a pretty short stem. personally I rather have a smaller frame and a longer stem.

badger1

Agree; the M/L Defy is simply too large for the OP. A relative of mine is 5'11" or so -- 'normal' leg/arm/torso proportions -- and rides the M/L with a 90mm stem.

softreset

Unless you have really, really abnormal body proportions. That 75cm stem seems super short.

But yeah, I agree as a rule of thumb approach. For us typically the rule of thumb is 90-120. If the bike won't work with a 90-120 stem then consider the size up/down. There are exceptions with really short guys on 52cm frames or really tall people on 62cm frames but that 90-120 rule has worked well for us with the 53-58cm crowd.

PepeM

He's tried it, he likes it. That's all that matters. Good chance he'll want to be more stretched out once he becomes more flexible anyway.

CliffordK

I would say that the LBS is there to make you happy... And this is a good time of year for them to sell bikes as long as it isn't too far beyond what they currently stock. So they may be able to get a different frame or complete bicycle if needed without loss.

But, I must disagree with other posters.

This isn't a case of shipping the wrong size. The OP test rode a similar M/L bicycle at the LBS, and agreed to purchase this one on special order. It is only later that he decided he wanted a smaller frame. He would have to take at least some of the responsibility to order the correct size.

I am a little surprised the shop doesn't do a "fit" before ordering the bicycles.

With the sloping TT, perhaps the big difference between the small and large sizes is the height of the head tube which looks huge in the photos. This will impact the bar height somewhat.

Pendergast

On my first road bike I started out with an 80mm stem and eventually wound up using a 110mm stem. Flexibility does matter.

I wonder how much experience the OP has on a road bike? My first impression with that short of a stem is that the bike is too big, but if he does have a long torso and long arms, whoever fit him may be counting on his position evolving as he spends time on the bike. If he's new to riding, it's possible that as flexibility improves a longer stem may be needed. Even so, the next smaller size bike seems like it probably would have been a better choice.

I ride a road bike that's on the larger end of the range for my height(because I wanted the taller head tube of that size) and use a 90mm stem.

RPK79

I ride a 54 with an 80mm stem (and wouldn't be against getting a 70mm). I have a 52 as well, but my knees hit the stem bolts when I'm out of the saddle.

rms13

+1

I totally missed the OP saying he had test ridden a m/l. If the shop took time pre sale to fit him and have him test ride and he decided on the m/l before ordering then the lbs did their job

rmfnla

This...

CliffordK

???

No explanation of what the OP actually test rode, or how it was configured. But my assumption is that it was the same bike, but perhaps a lesser model. Perhaps he did also try the "M"

Personally I like to sleep on a $3000 purchase before jumping on it.
It sounds like he has now taken possession of the bike, and likes it.

Splatface

Hi everyone. Thank you all for your replies. Fortunately I believe that I came out just fine with the M/L and the shorter stem. The steering seems to be just fine. I'm located in the Mississippi Delta river valley and we have rolling hills and flat fertile agricultural land for miles. No mountain decents at breakneck speeds. I tend to steer more with my body. The disc brakes will come in handy because we regularly have subtropical downpours that come and pass quickly. Not like Seattle or anything but fickle and surprise's are common leaving you drenched from time to time. The larger size may give me a slightly more aggressive posture but I was looking for an aggressive and responsive endurance bike anyway, and one of the reasons that led me to this model. I know that the shorter stem would be a turn off to several here but I'm not feeling disadvantaged in the least. The handlebars height, reach, and the pedal placent and seat height all feel great. Again thanks for the replies. This forum seems very responsive to any and all questions. At this point I am just waiting for the new stem to come in. We fitted the bike today with a specialized brand stem that was on hand and placed an order for a matching Giant stem. I guess all that's left to do is ride and keep learning. I'll probably trade up in 2020 and have a lot more knowledge by then.
Thanks.

Joeyseven

what?Is this your first road bike?I also have A long torso for my height.The Defy has good geometry for long torso riders.Less stack and more reach.
I went to A few local Giant dealers to look at and maybe buy A CF Defy.Neither stock carbon fiber bikes and I would not buy my next road bike from them.
I myself would drive to A bigger town and find and deal with A shop that sells more highend bicycles and more likey get A better fitting bicycle.

Splatface

No it's not my first. I have a trek domane as well in 54 but I'm liking the 56 defy. Seems to be just a little more aggressive and I'm liking that.