sheller53

Hi there,
I've been a bike commuter and casual biker for a while, and am in the process of purchasing my first road bike. After looking around, going on test rides, doing the research, I'm pretty set on a salsa casseroll (double or triple), and while I *think* my correct frame size would be around 55-56cm (I am looking to do weekend riding, commuting, credit card touring, but no racing), I've found a great deal on a salsa double (with upgraded components) that is 51cm (salsa sizing) / 54cm "normal" sizing.

I've ridden the bike on a test ride and it feels comfortable (i have about a 33" inseam) although a little shorter than the cyclocross bike I've been riding, but I was just wondering if I could get some opinions on sizing and if it's worth buying a bike that's maybe a size too small for much better components (salsa's website recommends a 53(salsa size)/56 "normal" size frame for my height).

I'm also looking to getting into bike building (or at least learning the basics!), so thought maybe I could eventually, if I find the bike too small, buy the salsa frame 1 size up, move the parts over, and sell the smaller frame. Am I crazy to even be considering this?

Thanks so much for your thoughts/opinions. I know fit comes down to how a bike feels, but as I'm so new to riding, I thought I'd just see what more experienced riders thought. Thanks much!

ElJamoquio

I'm 5'9", and like a 65 cm total top tube. Seat tube does height does not matter, but I generally ride a 54 center to center. I have a ~32.5" cycling inseam, about a 31" pants inseam.

If that effective top tube is somewhere in the 53 to 56 range I'd say do it.

cyccommute 

The 55 is probably going to be too long in the top tube for your reach. While it's a good for your leg length (which is the same as mine), your arm length probably isn't as long as a man's (I'm 2" taller than you are) and you'd feel like have to stretch for the bars. The 51cm Salsa might be a little short for you but only by about 1/2". You'll be sitting a little more upright on the 51cm than you would on the 53cm but the Casseroll is for more relaxed riding anyway. "More relaxed" isn't bad but it's not a racing geometry either.

You have the cyclocross to compare to. Take some measurements (look at the Salsa site for guidance) and compare them to the Casseroll. Before you buy, try a more performance oriented bike too. Don't compare weight or components, just compare the ride and how you feel on the bike. You may like a more aggressive geometry or you may like the more relaxed position. It doesn't cost anything to test a bike.

deep_sky

I'm 5'8" and ride a 56cm "normal" size frame *shrugs* You can always lengthen or shorten the stem if need be.

rufvelo

1) Bike building is fun, just that you will end up with too much 'stuff'...not considered a problem here at BF. But when you buy a nice correctly sized bike at a good shop you end up with just that - 1 bike, helmet, shoes, clothes etc.
2) Frame sizing - smaller is better since it gives you options. With a larger frame you're stuck and compensating for a long frame with a 80mm stem is plain ugly. But the tricky part is knee position and overall position which one can't do without watching you pedal on a sizing machine like a Serotta - only a shop can do this.

intence

Go through one of the fit calculators, have a friend help measure, then try another fit calculator. If you're between two sizes ride them both, but it's far safer to go with the smaller size. It's MUCH easier to make a smaller big "bigger" (longer stem, more post) then trying to make a bigger bike smaller

Sixty Fiver

I am five foot nine and a bit with a 33 inch inseam and prefer a 55 cm frame (top tube) and a 55 cm seat tube on a traditional road frame.

Individual fit is going to vary between people of the same height and even though we may be a match for height and leg length, our reaches may be different... or they may be identical.

A good fitter will be able to find what dimensions are going to work best and if you are normally proportioned your ideal frame size will probably range between 52 and 55 cm with a corresponding top tube length.

sheller53

To all the replies: thanks so much! I am going back to the bike shop tomorrow to ride the bike a bit more, ask about fit, etc. Getting into cycling is exciting and overwhelming at the same time, so it's nice to know that there are many who have gone before! Thanks again for the input.

intence

If there's one thing you do when buying the bike, it's making sure that it fits If the shop isn't certain about sizing, try another shop. I think we've all run into fit issues at one point or another, but as others have mentioned, sizing is a combination of your cycling inseam, flexibility and general comfort on the bike.

Sixty Fiver

From my experiences there is no one ideal way to fit a person to a bicycle and it is rare that there is ever such a thing as a perfect fit unless you have deep enough pockets to have a frame built for you... and then you really have to know what works for you personally.

Little compromises are made here and there and even if I knew every detail of a person's physiology I would not be able to set up a perfect fit... I have been very successful using some basically formulas and it is especially helpful when you can observe how a person rides as we all have different bio-mechanics and ranges of motion.

Riding makes your body stronger and as strength increases a different fit may be desired... greater core strength and flexibility will allow you to ride lower and deeper in the drops and a lot of folks will flip their stems to start a season with a slightly higher bar position and lower them as they get into shape.

This is an excellent reason to leave a thread-less steerer with a little extra up top as changes after that hopefully good fit may be desireable or you may find you prefer a range of handle bar heights depending on your ride or the time of the season.

sheller53

Thanks again to everyone for the help - and you're all right: it took going in to the store and getting sized to really know which frame to go with. I decided on the 54.5 vs. the 56 b/c even w/ a 80mm stem on the 56 I was still too stretched out. I couldn't have predicted that based on a 'fit chart'. Thanks again!

liquefied

It really depends. I'm 5'9" and I prefer a 52cm frame because I like the feel of a smaller bike. I can ride a 54 or 55 just fine.