cgkincer

I finally made it into my local bike dealer and test rode a few bikes, I first road a 2009 Specialized Allez in a 54 then a 56. Both felt pretty good, then I jumped on a 56 2009 Tarmac Elite. It felt pretty good too. I only did a few circles around the store so I really couldn't tell which size I needed. A young girl waited on my and said I looked a bit cramped on the 54. I think she thought the 56 was a better fit, but I left unconvinced and a little disapointed that they no longer had the Felt Z35 I had been eyeing in either size.

Last night I went on Competiviecyclist.com and had my girlfriend measure me. Below are my measurements. What are you recommendations besides go back to the shop and ride more bikes? Is the output below telling me I'm a 54 or a 56?

Measurements
-------------------------------------------
Inseam: 33.5
Trunk: 26.5
Forearm: 13
Arm: 21.75
Thigh: 23
Lower Leg: 22
Sternal Notch: 58
Total Body Height: 69.5


The Competitive Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 55.1 - 55.6
Seat tube range c-t: 56.8 - 57.3
Top tube length: 53.3 - 53.7
Stem Length: 10.7 - 11.3
BB-Saddle Position: 79.7 - 81.7
Saddle-Handlebar: 50.8 - 51.4
Saddle Setback: 4.3 - 4.7


The Eddy Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 56.3 - 56.8
Seat tube range c-t: 58.0 - 58.5
Top tube length: 53.3 - 53.7
Stem Length: 9.6 - 10.2
BB-Saddle Position: 78.9 - 80.9
Saddle-Handlebar: 51.6 - 52.2
Saddle Setback: 5.5 - 5.9


The French Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 58.0 - 58.5
Seat tube range c-t: 59.7 - 60.2
Top tube length: 54.5 - 54.9
Stem Length: 9.8 - 10.4
BB-Saddle Position: 77.2 - 79.2
Saddle-Handlebar: 53.3 - 53.9
Saddle Setback: 5.0 - 5.4

MDcatV

test rides are useless and obfuscate fit more than help. what you should do is go back to the bike shop, and ask for a fitting to determine which is better for you.

effective top tube is the most critical fit component. everything else has way more adjustment and can be altered enough to work for you, but with top tube, you're much more limited in range.

vjp

From your measurements it looks like you should have a bike built for you.

intence

If you're between two sizes, and everything else is equal, go with the smaller size. It's easier to make a smaller bike larger, than it is to make a larger bike smaller.

johnny99

I like test rides. Figuring out what top tube length works for you is easiest when you are actually riding the bike. Also make sure that the handlebar can go low enough (or high enough) for your fitness level and riding style. Bring a wrench with you so you adjust the saddle position during your test ride.

sharkey00

My measurements are very similar to yours. I visited a few shops and got both "You are definitely a 54" and "You are definitely a 56". I also rode the Allez, on that bike for me there was not question it was a 54. Get a fitting done. Personally I went for the 54". You may also want to see what stem size they have on it and how much room you have to lengthen it.

gfrance

I would redo the measurements to start with. They seem just a bit out of the ordinary. They could be right, but no harm in a redo.

cgkincer

Thans for all of the replies. I probably should do both; get a good fitting from the shop and take my measurements again from a different person. If they seem out of the ordinary it wouldn't suprise me, I have short torso and my arms are pretty short. I have never been able to by a coat off of the rack without having to have the sleeves altered, and as far as pants or jeans go, 32 inseam is usually too long and 30 is always too short. SUCKS
I did notice once I got off the 56 that the seat was pushed all the way forward.

yogi13

In my experience the competitive cyclist calculator doesn't work too well if you're not of average proportions. Looking at how you're proportioned it looks like you're all legs, which if you're not going custom probably means going to a manufacturer with short top tubes relative to the seat tube, such as cervelo, colnago and other italian bikes. Specialized runs in the other direction; my size large (56 seat tube) has a 56.5 top tube, and is better for people like me who are mostly torso and short legged.

Oh, and +1 on having someone else double check on your measurements.

catfour

Check out https://www.bikesuperhub.net/bikefit/. It shows that your arm length is unusually short for someone of your height. That's why you're not getting good results.

The fit calculator also allows you to enter your preferred saddle-to-handlebar drop. The results are somewhat equivalent to the various kinds of fit that competitivecyclst fit provides, but quantitatively relates it to the saddle-to-handlebar drop.

BHBiker

Your a 54 with a probable 110mm or 120mm stem. End of story! Trust me and you can thank me later!

dalava

Incorrect.

pharding

I disagree. I would go with the closest size. If you are in the middle of two sizes I would go with the larger.

It is money well spent to get a really good bicycle fitting. Not only will you get the right size bike, you will get it dialed in for maximum efficiency/speed.

Campag4life

You can ride either size. 54 for racing fit and 56 for recreational riding. You are a very averaged sized person and I would put you on a 56.

BananaTugger

Small frames, long stems.

Works for me.

BHBiker

Me too

InHiding

I had a professional fitting once (a fitting frame or whatever you call it was used) and I still ended up with a frame too large for me. You can never be sure if you don't have the experince. Personally I'd go for the smaller size if I was between two different sizes. It's a bit easier to handle a smaller frame in curves and small places IMO. If your arms or upper body is a little short for your height then the smaller frame is probably better (shorter top tube so you can reach the bars better using a good sized stem).

Frame size is also about preference. Some pros ride surprisingly small frames with long stems (like 140mm) sometimes. (Not saying this is common!)

Measuring your inseam can also be a bit difficult. You really have to go "all the way." If you measure it lightly you might come up with a smaller number than it should be.

You can also read this: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

I'm by no means a pro and this is all just my experience. If I'm wrong somebody correct me, and don't take my word for granted.

johnny99

Athletic people with good core strength with usually prefer a smaller frame. It will be more aerodynamic and handle more responsively. Touring and commuter cyclists will often prefer a bigger frame. The more upright riding position is more comfortable at slow speeds and allows you to more easily see your surroundings.

cgkincer

Thanks everyone, great feedback!

Servo888

I'm also in the same boat as the OP, I'm 5'11" with ~32" inseam. I'd rather do 56cm, but am currently hauling butt on a 54cm frame. I love the 54cm frame when it comes to cornering, just spectacular. But I'd much rather have the 56cm for the longer headtube for those none aggressive runs.

Tunnelrat81

I have to disagree with this. It's been explained to me, and I've noted through my own recent stem length change (from 100 to 120mm) that increasing the length of the stem actually increases the stability of the bike. This is because with a longer "arm" of the stem you have to move the handlebars further to get the same response out of the front wheel. Sure you have more 'leverage' but really... who has trouble moving their handlebars? When you increase your stem length, you're trading responsiveness for leverage. And the opposite of responsiveness is stability. Bikes with really short stems are thus the more squirrelly ones because even small inputs from the rider will quickly effect the front wheel's position.

-Jeremy

TMB

It's telling you you want a bike with a top tube of 54 to 55 cm.

cocoasprinkles

I am pretty much your twin and went with a 54.

It is an "aggressive" fit but i rather have a 100 stem on a 54 than a 80-90 on a 56 size frame.

cgkincer

I was able to ride a friends Tarmac Elite Friday night. It's a 54, i thought it felt great. I made a couple of runs up and down the street and decided a 54 is probably the right size for me. I will however comparison ride the 54 and 56 the next time i'm at the shop just to make sure. I'm hoping to get a decent deal on an 08 soon. He was able to get the 08 Tarmac Elite for $1700. Do you all think that is a decent deal?