2cm big deal?
 

Measured myself, and around 54cm. However kilo is sold out of 55cm, and only left is a 53cm. Is it that big of a deal?

that's not 2cm off, that's 1cm from your 54.

and i doubt it will be a big deal. your speed will be a little slower but you'll have better control of your bike, which i'd prefer unless you are racing it. and it doesn't sound like you are. but if you just don't feel good getting the 53, then you should wait since it's something you'll have for a while. get it perfect if you can.

I don't think he'd necessarily be slower.

With a 1 cm smaller frame you can get a little more drop if desired because of the shorter headtube. And if you're not ready for that you can just run a longer stem or a stem w/ more rise and voila you're essentially back at your old 54. It's harder to make a bigger frame fit than a smaller frame, IMO.

You can make significant changes to fit a smaller frame by changing seatpost and stem length.

Though your's isn't a big size difference, it'll be fine. Be happy in knowing you'll have a nice amount of seatpost showing, which will look "cool"

OP: how did you measure yourself?

A 53cm Kilo TT has a 53cm top tube, but the seat tube is a bit longer(taller) so a 53cm should be doing you right.

Also, I think top tube length has become the determiner now, although the seat tube measurement is important because of the apparent stand over issue.

as mentioned numerous times, a 53 (c-c) kilo compares closely with a regular 56 (c-t).

The 55 kilo measures out to be a 58cm bike so depending on how you measured yourself you may be better off with the 53.

cool cool, i did the slam a book and measure it, rounded up to a 55. Im guessing a 53cm will be perfect due to the smaller sizing like everyone is saying?

eh
at least do a fit calculator like http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO

compare the results with the frame sizes.

or stroll into any bike shop and they should be able to fit ya

That's a d-bag move man unless he's gonna buy a bike they carry, this is why bike shops hate people who buy online.

i'd rather go smaller than bigger. especially if it's only a cm. a 55 sounds like it would hit your nuts which would get annoying when standing over it

ummm no.
bike shops usually offer a paid fitting service.
so they'd want you to come in even if you'd buy the frame online.

this might be out of the range of the original poster
but it is still the best option if you have the cash and want a bicycle that is comfortable

if you dont have the cash, do a few calculators like CC or Zinn's

My bike is slightly bigger than calcs recommend but I like it that way. Personally I would run the numbers in a calc or get sized, try on a bike with similar geometry, and see what feels right to you. Small bikes make me feel cramped, but for other people, it works. So in short, ride a few friends' bikes and see which size you prefer.

The 53 kilo is a 55 Which is slightly big for you.
You may want to go with a 50 if you measure up to a 54 because the 50 has a 53.5 TT.

50 will give you a more aggressive posture, the 53 will be a little more relaxed.

No bike shop will do this.

are you sure about that?

Every bike shop I have been to in chicago will fit you for free. Is this not a standard practice?
I told them flat out what I was looking for, and that I would probably buy it online. They were very friendly and completely cool about it. Seemed happy at the simple fact that I was going to get rid of my car and hop back on a bike.
Made a customer for life out of me.
I have since spent some serious cash there on labor and parts.

Yep, any local bike shop worth there salt will do that (though many do charge). Providing a service like that creates customers.