williamset

I want to buy a CAAD9. There are 54 cm bikes at the local shop. There are 56 cm bikes 2 hours away. Can some of the CAAD9 owners chime in on what my preferred size is LIKELY to be? It might save me a long drive...

My current bike has a 58 cm top tube and it is too big but not unbearable. Competitive cyclist data:

Measurements
-------------------------------------------
Inseam: 34
Trunk: 25
Forearm: 14
Arm: 25.5
Thigh: 23.25
Lower Leg: 22
Sternal Notch: 59
Total Body Height: 71


The Competitive Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 55.9 - 56.4
Seat tube range c-t: 57.7 - 58.2
Top tube length: 55.3 - 55.7
Stem Length: 11.2 - 11.8
BB-Saddle Position: 80.0 - 82.0
Saddle-Handlebar: 53.6 - 54.2
Saddle Setback: 4.9 - 5.3


The Eddy Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 57.1 - 57.6
Seat tube range c-t: 58.9 - 59.4
Top tube length: 55.3 - 55.7
Stem Length: 10.1 - 10.7
BB-Saddle Position: 79.2 - 81.2
Saddle-Handlebar: 54.4 - 55.0
Saddle Setback: 6.1 - 6.5


The French Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 58.8 - 59.3
Seat tube range c-t: 60.6 - 61.1
Top tube length: 56.5 - 56.9
Stem Length: 10.3 - 10.9
BB-Saddle Position: 77.5 - 79.5
Saddle-Handlebar: 56.1 - 56.7
Saddle Setback: 5.6 - 6.0

Help.

Thanks!

teterider

Assuming the numbers are spot on...

OK, your saddle setback is not too far back, so the 73.5 seat tube on the 56 is OK with regards to normal/stock setback posts. Your saddle height is quite high given your height, meaning you have long legs relative to your height but apparently mostly in the lower leg and not the femur. If you set that a saddle height of 80 on the 54cm its going to be towering up there and saddle to bar drop will be large. However the top tube range is not very long and I can see why a 58 might have you too stretched out. Fitting to the top tube is critical.

All this points to a 56cm. Make the drive to test ride a and see for yourself. If you want to start evaluating from the Competitive fit, which I like, then have the other shop setup the 56cm with that saddle height, setback, and with a 110 stem.

Accordion

I'm 6'1 with a 35" inseam. I have a 58cm 2010 CAAD9. I had a $250 Retul Fit and the 58cm was spot-on for me although my fitter said I could also have fit into a 60cm without problems.

I think the 54cm is too small. 56cm at a minimum.

Oh, and I don't know what I'm talking about so take it with a grain of salt. Go see a professional and ride the bike.

DaveSSS 

Your cycling inseam of 86cm and the listed saddle heights do not jive at all. A normal saddle height would be around 76cm. What's your actual saddle height? If it's 76cm or a little greater, then definitely the 56.

aham23

whatever you do someone will tell you the frame is too small and someone will tell you the frame is too big. thats all i know about this. later.

williamset

Thanks for the help so far. I've heard the bikes run big for their sizes. I'll measure my my saddle height + downtube + crank length when I get home later today.

Shuke

They do. Go with the 56.

DaveSSS 

They don't but go with the 56. Vertical size is deteremined by the head tube length. Compare to one of the most traditional brands, LOOK and you'll see that a 51cm (c-c) LOOK has a 125mm head but, while a C'dale's 52cm (c-t) has only a 120mm head tube. Both have the same reach. You can go on up the size range and see nothing unusual. A 54cm has a 140mm head tube and a 53cm LOOK has a 148mm.