Bike sizing
 

In the process of getting my first FG/SS bike.

I'm about 5'9'. Went to my LBS and tried out the 2008 Fuji Track and the guy sized me up and told me I should ride a 56 bike. I've been reading a ton of posts on here where people discuss their height and the size of the bike they ride. Seems there are a lot of people my height and taller who ride way smaller sizes (ex: 53 or so). I am probably going to go back and test ride the 54 but I was curious, is size that important, or can I simply adjust the different components if they don't feel right after riding my new bike for a while. Better to get too big or too small?

Cheers.

i'm 5'9" and ride a 53. everyone's different. but yeah 56 sounds a little big.

Its important to understand all the aspects of frame geometry, not just the seat tube height. For instance, I ride frames ranging from 57cm to 62cm and they all fit the same in terms of cockpit length. You didn't even specify if it was measured center to center or center to top. Some dude on the internet telling you to ride a 53 cm is meaningless without any other information. A 53 center to center is about the same as a 56 measured center to top. Go with what the LBS advises, or at least take their advice more seriously that random people on the internet.

Everyone's a bit different -- some have longer legs and shorter torsos or vice versa. Different manufacturers also have different geometries -- Lemond, for example, has a longer top tube for the respective seat tube length, so Lemond riders usually choose one size down from what they would normally ride for other brands.

When I test ride a new bike, I usually go by the top tube length, measured center to center. However, that's just where I start from. Go with your LBS' recommendation if they are reputable. If you don't trust their advice, visit another LBS and see what size they recommend. If they concur with the 56cm size, then it's almost certain that's what you ride. Sizing is critical -- you can only compensate so much with adjusting seatpost height and stem length. You're buying a new bike, so why not get the right fit?

size does matter... ha

but no seriously, it makes a huge difference getting the right frame size. for me, i believe the most important aspect is stand over height, but i'm sure people might say otherwise.

anyway this is the website i used when getting my first FG, i suggest trying it out.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO

If it helps, I'm 5 10 and I ride a 56 fuji track. Go ride both and see what fits best but I think you'll end up with the 56.

definitely go with what the bike shop tells you. like mihlbach said, if you want to be sure, hit up a couple reputable LBS's and see what the general consensus is. i would trust someone who actually knows what you look like over someone who read your post on a messageboard.

but that's just me.

Only go with what the bike shop tells you IF they have several frame sizes available in the same bike on the floor. If that's the only size (56cm) they have in stock they might just be trying to make a sale...at your expense.

I was in a LBS last week looking at a last year's closeout high-dollar road bike at a really great price. It was the only one they had left...in 62cm...and this bike was clearly too large for me. Yet the salesperson tried everything he could to get me to take it for a test-ride, put a shorter stem on it, lower the seatpost...whatever it took to make the sale. He was trying to convince me it was perfect for me as I walked out the door.

The Fuji is pretty classic geometry, so a 56 at 5'9" isn't out of the ballpark.

Folks get heated over a couple of cm, but there is a reason that seatposts and stems can be adjusted.

It all depends if you like a classic 'fist full of seatpost' look, or want a cranked up seat and a huge drop to the bars.

I'm 5'8'' and was sized on the 52 cm fuji track, but then again, i have short legs.

Also didn't end up getting it because of Fuji backing up when the order would arrive for 2 months. I could have gotten the ugly old blue one they had, but i hated the paint job.