psmith

I am purchasing an Onix and the LBS recommended a 57 frame. I am 5'9" with an inseam of 30". My torso is longer than my lower body. When the LBS measured me originally, the size recommended for a specialized was a 54, but the LBS stated that the Orbea geometry is different from the Specialized geometry and that the Orbea 57 would be the best fit. Need advice from the experts

Duke of Kent

I don't understand this. Two bikes have different geometries, and/or are measured differently by their makers. However, they both fit you moderately well. Go with what feels best. Pretty simple.

Example 1) A bike has a shorter seat tube than another bike. However, they both have the same effective top tube measurement. One could be a 50cm in a sloping geometry, and the other could be a 54 in a more traditional geometry.

Example 2) I ride a 50cm Cannondale, but could ride a 48, 49, 51, or 52cm in several other manufacturer's frames.

No two manufacturers are alike in their frames.

CPcyclist

30" inseam what is your bike inseam? I find I can ride anything from a 54-57 depending on make and model. with a long torso the 57 sound like the direction I would send you in but then again I have not seen you on either bike. Make sure you can comfortable stand over the top tube or be prepared for dismounting quickly when needed or feel the pain.

R600DuraAce

Is your LBS trying to sell you their left over model???? I am your height and ride an Orbea Lobular 2003 or Lobular 50 as they called it the 2005 model. I think mine is either 51 or 52 sloping top tube. Top tube lenght is 53cm. I think you should go for a 54 with a longer stem.

climbo

a 54 Spec is very different from a 57 Onix. The TT differs by 2cm.

The 54 Onix and 54 Specialized are similar. I can't see why they would go up to a 57 on the Onix when the 54 Onix matches the 54 Specialized geometry fairly closely.

Do they stock the 54 Onix also? ask them about it and try them both.

NuBiker

I am 5'9" and my inseam is 30 too. I have an orbea Onix and it is a 54. It fits very good, I am very comfy on it. I have also an Orbea Zona and that one is a 51, it fits even better than the 54.

psmith

I am going to request the the LBS allow me to take the bike home for the weekend and do extended rides for three days in a row and see how it feels. It did feel very uncomfortable(the saddle) in all three positions(bar, hood, drops) and the dealer explained that it takes approx 4 rides to get a true sense of the comfort of the bike/saddle. If it does not get comfortable over the weekend, I will ask for a 54 frame. I am paying approx 4K for the bike which comes with DA 10, carbon seatpost and FSA wing handle bar and I want to look forward to riding it every day and not have to shy away because of fear of pain and discomfort

NuBiker

wow, that is serious money you will be spending on the bike, make sure to get what you want, what feels comfy. I love my orbeas and for the price I think I got the best equipment. Good LUCK.

Singlespeedster

The 57 seems long for you. Even considering the fact that Orbea carbon geometry has a moderate length top tube and a fairly generous amount of head tube. The 54 has a 55 cm top tube, which might speak well to yourlonger torso. A 30" inseam would lead me to a 54 frame, but getting an idea of your total inseam would be handy. I would be interested to see what the bike has to say on the subject. In many cases, if you dial in the saddle height and take a step back and look att he relation of the top of the saddle to the top of the handlebars, the bike will tell you if it is close to the right size, or if is being forced into a compromised fit.

Another bit of important data is about you. What type of riding do you intend to do? Racing, long training rides, recreational riding? And how flexible are you? All of these things will have an effect on bike fit.

That said, the Onix is a spectacular bike, and in a perverse (and most likely controversial) way, I think it is the pick of the Orbea litter. Even though the frame is heavier, it neatly bridges the gap between the overall comfort of the Orca and the stiffness of the Opal.

Here's my spanking new 60 cm:

thad

I have a Marmolada, same measurements as you, but short torso. I ride a 54. I've not looked at the Onix, so I'm not sure how similar they are. If you are uncomfortable, right away on a short test ride, I would say to run, not walk, away from that bike.

Grasschopper

Yea I can't see a way that the 57 is the right bike for you. As stated the 54 Specialized and the 54 Orbea are VERY similar in their TT measurements 54.8cm for the Specialized and 55cm for the Orbea. If you are looking at a Roubaix the HT angle is similar as well but the Tarmac has a bit steeper HT than the Onix (73° vs 72.6° for the Onix, Roubaix is 72°). The Tarmac chain stay is the shortest at 405mm, then the Onix at 408mm, then the Roubaix at 415mm. The head tube length on the Tarmac is shorter than the Onix and the Roubaix is longer (130mm vs 152mm vs 165mm) so they will fit up front a little different with the Tarmac giving a lower possible position.

Sure sounds like they are trying to move stock to me.

jimbud

I ride a 57 cm Starship with the non slooping top tube. I'm 5'10.5" with a 33" bike inseam and the top tube is a perfect fit for me but the tall seat tube (57cm c to c) gives the look that the bike is to big for me. I probably have 3.5 inches of seat tube showing. Best feeling frame I've ever rode.

bbattle

I have an Orbea Dauphine, 54cm with 80mm stem. I'm 5'8" with 31.7in. bicycle inseam. Originally the bike had a 110mm stem but the bike fitter said that was too long for me.

Onix geometry:



Dauphine geometry:


The only differences in the frames are a longer head tube for the Onix (182mm vs. 176mm)

Oh, and that Onix is one sweet bike.