buying a used bike, concerned about size
03-14-07, 08:05 PM
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buying a used bike, concerned about size
Hello and thanks for your help!
I excited to get into road biking--I have been riding a hybrid bike for 5 years now and have started to take it on longer rides. I am definitely ready to move into a road bike and have been shopping around for a used bike. I have found a nice Specialized Sequoia Elite touring bike that I am very tempted to buy. I enjoy its laid back posture and found it pretty comfotable when I road it around the block. I am a little concerned though, as it is a size smaller than I was looking for. It is a 54 cm and I am 5'9" tall and have been told that I would fit best on a 56 cm bike. Do you think that I can make the 54 cm bike work or should I keep looking? Thanks for the advice!!!!
I excited to get into road biking--I have been riding a hybrid bike for 5 years now and have started to take it on longer rides. I am definitely ready to move into a road bike and have been shopping around for a used bike. I have found a nice Specialized Sequoia Elite touring bike that I am very tempted to buy. I enjoy its laid back posture and found it pretty comfotable when I road it around the block. I am a little concerned though, as it is a size smaller than I was looking for. It is a 54 cm and I am 5'9" tall and have been told that I would fit best on a 56 cm bike. Do you think that I can make the 54 cm bike work or should I keep looking? Thanks for the advice!!!!
03-14-07, 10:24 PM
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It's tough to say without a proper fitting, but 5'9'' seems on average a little short for a 56. I ride a 56 (which I was professionally fitted on) and I'm almost 5'11''. If I had to guess (and this advice is worth what you're paying for it), I would say that a 54 is probably better than a 56 for you.
Be careful though; I wasted my money on a poorly fit used bike that I bought without getting a proper fitting. I ended up selling it a year later after fighting to get comfortable on it and nearly gave up cycling. Get a bike that fits right and you'll have found a great sport and hobby. Welcome to the club.
Be careful though; I wasted my money on a poorly fit used bike that I bought without getting a proper fitting. I ended up selling it a year later after fighting to get comfortable on it and nearly gave up cycling. Get a bike that fits right and you'll have found a great sport and hobby. Welcome to the club.
03-14-07, 10:46 PM
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Indeed, comfort has much to do with enjoying the sport. If you don't enjoy it, it only adds stress, but I bet you'll love it. My first bike was properly fit and I still loved the bike since I was utterly oblivious to the fact that it wasn't fit properly. 
03-15-07, 12:57 PM
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How is the reach to the bars compared to your current setup? The Sequoia is a fairly upright ride and typically the bars are set 0-3" below trhe saddle for a relaxed touring stance.
The main drawback of smaller frames is the lower headtube limiting the hight of the bars.
Note that this is a semi compact style which is designed to be used with more standover clearance than a trad frame.
The main drawback of smaller frames is the lower headtube limiting the hight of the bars.
Note that this is a semi compact style which is designed to be used with more standover clearance than a trad frame.
