signs that bike is wrong size?
 

Assuming the LBS fitted me to their best ability on a given bike, what are the symptoms that the bike is maybe a size too small?

Even with the seatpost set up to the minimum insertion line, your knees are still too bent at the bottom of your pedal stroke.

You have to use a 13cm stem or greater just to be comfortable.

That said, there are many professionals (Sean Kelley comes to mind) that have been very successful on bikes that others would say were too small for their size.

If the lbs fitted you to the best of their ability, they should have told you if they felt the fame is too small. But as mentioned above, if you have a redicilously long stem, extreme setback seatpost (or they couldn't get the saddle back far enough), or you have too much post showing, it's probably too small.

Other riders saying 'Hey, your bike looks a bit small' is a dead giveaway.

;)

Why not submit your anatomic inseam/ pubic bone height..as someone here and /or click-on a site..take a consensus. The point of a "right" or "wrong" size is based on a start-off point.With the exception of specific or special needs,an optimum size is a happy medium,it affords the greatest amount of adjustability..what's your an. inseam? did he check? why speak in hypotheticals ? what's the actual measurement?..Kelly, a good example,a sprinter he was.My friend has a hip problem,he goes with a smaller frame..there are exceptions but..since you're askin'..what's your PBH ??

The LBS is trying to sell bikes. They found one that is "close" and sold it. Get a professional fit or use one of the online fit calculators.

It's generally better to base the sizing on top tube length rather than the seat height, so gauge it first by stem length and seat setback before seat height etc.

What symptoms are you having?

When your bars are higher than your saddle.

In that case, the frame would be too big.

When your knees hit your chin.

:o I was replying to the title, not the post. My mistake.

Without knowing your dimensions or the frame size relative to you some basic guides and clues would be...

You should have 1-2 inches stand over clearance on the top tube unless the frame is a sloping design, then that is out the window. Sitting on the bike you should be able to achieve full leg extension (not straight) with a slight bend in your knee, with out having approximately more than 1-2 fists length of seat post exposed, or the minimum insertion line showing. Again assuming a traditional non sloping frame. Sitting on the bike, hands on the hoods, your front hub should be obscured from view by your handle bars, and you should have about a comfortable bend in your elbows with a feeling of being slightly stretched out.


These are just basic rules of fit, and really depend on the rider and their preferences... However knowing nothing about you, is all I can offer at this time.


Additionally it is generally felt a smaller bike can be made to fit you better than a bigger bike. The smaller bike allows a bigger range of fit with stem length, seat setback, seat post extension..etc, than a bigger bike would for the given riders size.

Go to Competitive Cyclist and try the fit calculator to help you determine you recommended frame size.

http://www.wrenchscience.com Also has a fit calculator, use both to narrow your range.

If you need over 50mm of spacers and a flip up stem, that might be a tell tale sign as well. Some frames have super short HTs but if you have to have that many spacers you might be better off with a larger frame with appropriate TT length and stem within 110-120mm. Just a thought...

Thanks for the suggestions. I went on competitive cyclist site and put in my 8 essential measurements (height 165.5cm (5'5"), inseam 79.5cm, trunk 60cm, etc.), and got 3 different possible fits: the "racer" fit would put me at 51.5-52, the Eddie fit at 52.7-53, and the French fit at 54-55.

The bike I'm on is sized "51" with 480 seat tube, 525 top tube, 73 HT angle, 75.5 ST angle. I guess I was fitted for the tight geometry of racer bike when I'm most likely more comfortable on an Eddie fit?

Are you guys mostly "racer" fit on your bikes? The French fit appears a bit large, but the site says that is the point - large = comfort.

Sorry about the questions here. The LBS appears to be staffed by uninterested salespeople who have no clue what I'm talking about. Their response is always "nothing some stem swaps and seat adjustments cant fix"

scrotum rubbing the large chainring

http://www.mrdoo.co.uk/bigminibike.jpg

Here you go Adagio:
http://www.prodigalchild.net/Bicycle6.htm
Dave Moulton stops in from time to time and is one of the smartest and best experienced fitters out there.
You are quite right to be weary of LBS fitters. The bad out way the good but make no mistake there are those well intentioned out there as well. Kind of like the responses you received from your earnest question.
I believe if you adhere to Dave's advice this will put you at the sweet spot for nice road bike fit you can either race or perform distance rides on without discomfort. It also works for me btw and I am an older cyclist.
Cheers,
George

I think these online fit calculators are good as a point of reference but of course they should not be the only determinator of what size\geometry you go with. What's too small? For me too small means you are left with a saddle to handlebar drop that is outside your personal tolerances. Like another poster said if you need to go with tons of spacers and a flipped up stem in order to get inside your tolerances then you are probably on too small a frame or the frame you chose has an unusually short head tube. My personally philosophy is to go as small as I can without excessive saddle to handlebar drop with 10 degree stem and not too many spacers. If you look at the competitive, french and Eddy fit you will note that one of the primary differences is the amount of saddle to handlebar drop that each require. Of course there are so many other personal variables that you need to take into account. New to road bikes? Been riding years? Flexibility? If you are new to road bikes I think most people are not going to be comfortable with the Competetive fit until they have got some miles in. What feels too small now might just feel perfect after a couple hundred miles.
Assuming you don't have excessive saddle to handlebar drop (if not now then at least after you get more fit and flexible) how are you length wise? How do you feel fore\aft balance wise? Check out this fit calulator:
https://www.wrenchscience.com/Login....=R&stylecode=R

What total reach number do they come up with? How does your's compare? Does your reach feel good? Long?, bunched up? My thought is that as long as you don't have excessive saddle to handlebar drop and you are able to achieve good fore\aft balance on the bike and your total reach is correct then you should be ok.

Based on the Competitive Fit, Wrench Science and 3 Custom Builders, my average fit is a Bike that is 54cm. Using Competitive Cyclist terms, my Racer Fit is a 53cm, and my Eddy Fit is ~54.5cm and my French fit is a 56cm.

The 3 Custom Builders I had spec me out placed me on a 54 to 55cm bike. Here's how my Current Stable Stacks up.

Trek 5000 = 52cm Racer Fit
Colnago = 54cm Racer to Eddy Fit
Tuscany = 55cm (because of the dropped top tube) = 53cm, Racer to Eddy Fit
Norco Magnum SE = 55cm Eddy to French Fit...

Personally I like smaller bikes with a Racer Fit. For reference I'm 5'11" with a 32.5" Inseam.

It looks like you are on the smaller end of the fit range, and may need a longer stem for the bike to fit right. Again, I like the look of lots of seat post and long stems, but those are just personal reasons. I like the feel of riding like that as well, others do not...