sizing sizING SIZING
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,563
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Pro & Iron Horse Mavrick 5.5
Short answer is yes you will be able to ride it...will it "fit" you, probably not.
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Ralph (not Ralphie) on a Roubaix in
Huntington Beach, CA
& Iron Horse Maverick 5.5
Ralph (not Ralphie) on a Roubaix in
Huntington Beach, CA
& Iron Horse Maverick 5.5
#3
Headed to the Library...
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: 2003 cherry red Bianchi Giro, Quattro Assi Team 2000 Rocket
I think it's usually a safe bet to go larger or smaller by about 2cm, but no more. Some peeps may disagree, but that's my feeling. Also, keep in mind that different bikes have different proportions. For instance, my bianchi is a 53, my Lemond is a 53, but the Lemond is too big because the top tube is much longer. Make sure you get more details on the size.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,879
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Guy Yinon
My standard road size is 54, Would I be able to ride a 57 ?
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 947
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Albert Eisentraut custom w/DA, Kestrel RT 700 w/Ultegra, Jamis Tangier
Honestly, this is kind of an unanswerable question, as no one knows anything about how it was determined that your "standard" road size is 54cm, your cycling frame of reference/experience, what your measurements are, or how you ride. Some are of the opinion that, in general, riders often ride a frame that is actually too small for them to save marginal amounts of weight over a larger frame and compensate by having long seatposts and stems. Can you ride a 57? As the last poster said, "sure, why not?". You may not be happy with the fit, but if a 54 truly is a frame that generally fits you, and you need no accommodations to long/short torso or legs, a 57 is not likely to fit you well. Depending on where you started, a 57 could be the ideal size for you based on various philosophies about fit.
#8
chopsockey
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 253
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From: Seattle
Bikes: Monkey SS everythingbike, Ti frankenroadbike
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Albert Eisentraut custom w/DA, Kestrel RT 700 w/Ultegra, Jamis Tangier
Originally Posted by Enthalpic
All sizing questions get flamed on this site. Don't bother asking; you will get the standard "can't size you over the internet" response. Usually by some jerk who thinks he is some cycling God..
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 801
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From: central rio grande valley
Bikes: 14 road, 1 SS, 2 MTB
There is no such thing as a "standard" 54 or a "standard" 57. Your question is unanswerable without knowing the specifics as to how those two frames are measured - CTC or CTT? Compact or not? What size stem are you using now? How far behind the BB center do you sit now, would you be able to move a bit forward?
If you have the flexibility to ride with the reach of a 57, there are plenty of compact 57s that will meet your standover requirments. If your reach is just right on the 54 and you're using a 130 stem, well a 110 would bring you into spec.
Give some additional information if you want a serious answer.
If you have the flexibility to ride with the reach of a 57, there are plenty of compact 57s that will meet your standover requirments. If your reach is just right on the 54 and you're using a 130 stem, well a 110 would bring you into spec.
Give some additional information if you want a serious answer.
#12
human

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 2
From: living in the moment
Bikes: 2005 Litespeed Teramo, 2000 Marinoni Leggero, 2001 Kona Major Jake (with Campy Centaur), 1997 Specialized S-Works M2, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper
depends. most of the standard formulas for bike size -- inseam x 0.65, or inseam x 0.667 -- calculate bike size measured from the centre of the bb to the centre of the top tube. this is the traditional way to measure bike size. the problem with this is:
1. not all bikes are measured c-c. treks measure from the centre of the bb to the top of the collar, meaning that a 56 cm trek is actually closer to a 54 cm in traditional sizing.
2. the most important metric of bike size is top tube length, assuming that you have enough standover height. that means that, if you have a long torso, you'd probably fit better on a size up in a trek [for example]. a 54 cm trek has a 54.6 cm tt, but you might be more comfortable on a 56 cm trek [remember, this would be a 54 cm bike measured c-c] with a 56.2 cm top tube. some manufacturers build with longer top tube, though; a m/l litespeed siena, for example [compact frame with a virtual 55 cm size] has a 56 cm top tube, and my 50 cm marinoni [measured c-c] has a 53.5 cm top tube.
3. compact frames have relatively more standover height than traditional geometry frames, so you could straddle a larger compact frame without sacking yourself if you need the extra top tube length.
my own experience is this... i have been riding my 50 cm marinoni for several years. according to the standard formula, my size would be about 51 cm. however, by trek's measuriung standard, it would be a 52.5 or 53 cm bike [measured to the top of the collar], and i am very comfortable [counter-intuitively] on my 52 cm kona cyclo-cross bike. however, i've always found the 53.5 cm top tube a bit short, even with a 11 cm stem.
this year, i got a litespeed teramo in size m, a virtual 53 cm compact frame. it fits absolutely perfectly with a 54 cm toptube and 10 cm stem. the headtube length is identical to my marinoni, but the headtube and seattube angles are slightly slacker. the fit is so much better -- even though i was always comfortable on the marinoni -- that most of my riding buddies have commented on how much better it is when they see me ride.
so the answer to your question really is "it depends." if you ride a 54 cm bike, measured c-c, with a relatively long top tube [say, 55.5 cm] and a long stem [say 12 cm] and feel comfortable, then there's no reason why you couldn't fit on a 57 cm frame [compact or measured centre-collar] with a 57.5m toptube and a 10 cm stem, assuming that you have sufficient standover.
the important thing is to compare apple-to-apples, lengths-to-lengths. take a tape measure to the bikes.
1. not all bikes are measured c-c. treks measure from the centre of the bb to the top of the collar, meaning that a 56 cm trek is actually closer to a 54 cm in traditional sizing.
2. the most important metric of bike size is top tube length, assuming that you have enough standover height. that means that, if you have a long torso, you'd probably fit better on a size up in a trek [for example]. a 54 cm trek has a 54.6 cm tt, but you might be more comfortable on a 56 cm trek [remember, this would be a 54 cm bike measured c-c] with a 56.2 cm top tube. some manufacturers build with longer top tube, though; a m/l litespeed siena, for example [compact frame with a virtual 55 cm size] has a 56 cm top tube, and my 50 cm marinoni [measured c-c] has a 53.5 cm top tube.
3. compact frames have relatively more standover height than traditional geometry frames, so you could straddle a larger compact frame without sacking yourself if you need the extra top tube length.
my own experience is this... i have been riding my 50 cm marinoni for several years. according to the standard formula, my size would be about 51 cm. however, by trek's measuriung standard, it would be a 52.5 or 53 cm bike [measured to the top of the collar], and i am very comfortable [counter-intuitively] on my 52 cm kona cyclo-cross bike. however, i've always found the 53.5 cm top tube a bit short, even with a 11 cm stem.
this year, i got a litespeed teramo in size m, a virtual 53 cm compact frame. it fits absolutely perfectly with a 54 cm toptube and 10 cm stem. the headtube length is identical to my marinoni, but the headtube and seattube angles are slightly slacker. the fit is so much better -- even though i was always comfortable on the marinoni -- that most of my riding buddies have commented on how much better it is when they see me ride.
so the answer to your question really is "it depends." if you ride a 54 cm bike, measured c-c, with a relatively long top tube [say, 55.5 cm] and a long stem [say 12 cm] and feel comfortable, then there's no reason why you couldn't fit on a 57 cm frame [compact or measured centre-collar] with a 57.5m toptube and a 10 cm stem, assuming that you have sufficient standover.
the important thing is to compare apple-to-apples, lengths-to-lengths. take a tape measure to the bikes.
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when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 191
From: Missoula, Montana
Bikes: Trek Domane SL5, Trek Checkpoint SL5, Cannndale Trail SE 4, Specialized Langster
I've been riding a Trek 2100 in 54cm for the last thrirteen years. I just bought a 2004 model 2300 in 56cm. The bikes are almost identical in size. My LBS measured everything so that all the adjustments on the 2100 are duplicated on the 2300. The new bike feels a little different, but thats because the parts are shaped differently e.g. handlebars, brake hoods, saddle. After speding several hours on the web reading all the links suggested in this forum, I've come to the conclusion that if the bike feels comfortable, it fits, assuming that you can stand over the frame and that your position looks reasonable. If you are a racer looking for maximum performance, then all of the technical measurements may help, but for most of us, if it feels good it is good.
#14
Why don't you try find the same brand at an LBS and get on it? We shouldn't betaking business away from LBS but somtimes if I am going to buy something (usually used), I check it out at the shop then I know what to buy online





