Boston NightOwl

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker first time poster. I've been researching for quite a while now, but I'm at the point that I'm looking for some input and suggestions beyond what I could find in older threads, as well as see what people who share my proportions have been using. I have the problem of a short torso and long legs with long arms and I'm trying to compile a list of some companies I should be looking at besides the usual big brands like Trek and Specialized, etc (none of which I've been crazy about for fit).

Additionally, I know sometimes that the published specs on websites don't always line up with the actual measuring tape in person, so that's another reason I'm posting. I'm hoping people with similar proportions can point me to some non-custom manufacturers that I may have overlooked whether they're hard to find or quite popular.

I have the following measurements:

-35 inch inseam
-25.4 inch trunk
-14.75 inch forearm
-26.5 inch arm
-60.25 inch sternal notch
-6'1 (73 inch) height

I'm open to any company and will be considering bikes made in the last six years as well as new rides. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

clutchy

isn't that the compact frame geometry?

koop

Giant TCR with a short stem works great for me. I've got somewhat similar proportions.

scirocco

Presume you mean "long head tube" not "long seat tube". Seat tube is pretty much irrelevant as you can adjust the saddle height so much.

A few brands I can think of are:

Serotta Fierte
Specialized Roubaix
Avanti Cadent (not sure if you can buy those in the US)
Felt Z "sportive" range

Do searches on "comfort" or "relaxed" geometry styles. These will will have a longer head-tube and thus a higher bar position to match your longer legs.

dsellinger

I think he may have said what he wants... A larger frame with less top tube for a guy with long legs and shorter arms/torso.

scirocco

Which is precisely what he got.

Boston NightOwl

The Specialized Roubaix has geometry that doesn't work for me and isn't geared towards my problem. Either too long or too small for me. Ideally something like a 58cm frame with a 565mm top tube would be nice.

The Fierte has interesting specs but at $5,000-8,000 seems a bit exotic for me. I think at that price I would just go to a custom bike.

The Felt models you mentioned look potentially closer but I'd have to check them out in person.

I should point out that I'm concerned about fit not comfort, so I'm not exactly looking for comfort or relaxed fit bikes-just business as usual with 20-25mm chopped out of the top tube.

Thanks for the input so far and keep them coming.

Hendley

Hmmm, then you're going to have to restate your problem, because the Roubaix geometry is geared exactly to long leg/short torso types who want a shorter top tube relative to vertical height.

The 56 Roubaix has a 565mm top tube with a 190mm head tube, making it relatively tall for its size (bar height equivalent to other makers' 58cm-62cm bikes.)

Two more options:

Cervelo RS
Look 585 Optimum

Boston NightOwl

Hendley I see what you're saying, but I have a couple of concerns with a 56cm Roubaix. First is that they drop me to a 172.5cm crank length when my super long legs are already craving something longer than a 175mm. Also, I think I may be stretching things a bit too far with the seatpost given my leg length and foot size (13). On my XC race bike I run the largest frame size and I'm almost at the seatpost minimum as I have to run the seat so high.

Hendley

At 35 inch inseam, the stock seatpost might well be okay; if not a 350mm length replacement should be easy to find (I'm guessing you run about 78-80cm saddle height?). The crank would have to be replaced though, if you want longer arms.

That said, it seems to me that the 58cm would be a way better fit for you anyway. As long as you're within a cm or two on the TT, reach is easily adjusted with different stem lengths.

FWIW, I don't see your measurements being too off the curve; as long as you avoid the long and low bikes like Cannondales, standard Felts, Scotts, you should be okay on any of the above mentioned.

halfspeed

You're an inch taller than me with the same leg length. I think you'll be OK with a longer top tube than you're hoping for. Look in to what Bianchi has to offer.

valygrl

Look into WSD (women's) geometry bikes - long legs releative to torso is the "problem" that WSD often attempts to solve.