Is my bike too big?
10-31-09, 04:26 PM
#1
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Is my bike too big?
I bought a Caad 9 over the summer as my first bike. When I bought it they had me ride around the parking lot and suggested I order it. When it came in it was too big for me, so the shop offered to take back the bike because it was their mistake and had me ride around the parking lot, measured my inseam and told me that I need a 56. I have been riding the second one for a while now and it feels good but when I look at bikes on here and mine, I noticed that I have a lot less seat post showing. There is only 2" of seatpost that is exposed while others seem to have two or three times the ammount of exposed seat post as me. It feels good and they gave me a fit at the shop by putting me on the trainer measuring my knee angle, checking my position, using a string and weight to check my cleat placement... Maybe I am just overthinking it but even though the bike feels great when I ride it seems like it is too big based on the pics I see on here....
Last edited by Mac_48; 10-31-09 at 04:29 PM.
10-31-09, 04:27 PM
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Totally impossible to know with the information you've given us.
10-31-09, 04:29 PM
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Ride it like you own it.
How it feels is all I would care about.
Post a pic sometime with you on it.
How it feels is all I would care about.
Post a pic sometime with you on it.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
10-31-09, 04:39 PM
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You're like me... short inseam for your height. That means you will have less seatpost showing that others, or you would have to get an extreme setback seatpost and a very long stem. If the bike feels fine and you can ride it in comfortable control, don't worry about it.
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It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
10-31-09, 04:45 PM
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Thanks for the responses, I will just have to accept the fact that I have a short seatpost... 
10-31-09, 05:24 PM
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People can live with a road bike +1 size than the fit formula recommends. Say you're 5'7" and can't find a 52cm road bike? A 54cm will do fine.
10-31-09, 09:00 PM
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If your measurements are accurate then it makes sense. You are 1" taller and have about 4" shorter inseam than me so I can see where you'd have less seatpost showing on a fairly conventional frame. If you have standover problems you should consider a compact frame. I can ride 56 or 58 but tend to go for the bigger size for the head tube length. You on the other hand need a short head tube frame with long TT.
