Did I make a mistake?
 

Well, really I've made lots of mistakes; the one I'm talking about, though, is that I recently ordered a Kilo TT frame from BikeIsland.

I am 5'10" and I ordered the 57cm frame. I figured that 57cm would be fine, because the conversion that I have been riding for the last 2 years is a 60cm. It seems like most people tend to like to get a smaller frame as opposed to a perfect fit. Should I be getting the 53 or 55cm instead?

Thanks

What?

Your mistake was to order first ask questions later

Okay... But that was completely irrelevant. I'm guessing what you meant to say was something along the lines of, "Yes, you probably made a mistake and would like a smaller sized frame. In the future, you should ask questions BEFORE buying something."

I can't say if you would be better off with a smaller frame. Fit is everything, if you're just sort of guessing on what will work then things may turn out poorly.

I think 55 would have been perfect. But if they size these frames smaller and you want a more comfortable ride 57 would be great.

True, and for that response, I thank you. I asked my friend that has been working at bike shops for 15 years, and he said pretty much the same. He recommended to go with a 56.5 when he measured me.

The Gitane that I have been riding is a 60cm seat tube and 59cm top tube is very comfortable for me. Since that is a few centimeters larger than the TT I thought (granted without a strong basis) that a 57cm would be okay.

Have you ridden the Kilo yet?

Thanks Gigantor. Even if it is a little big, it won't be the end of the world. It's not like I can't buy another frame a while down the road.

In my last post I neglected to mention that I just picked up an old Raleigh 10 speed that is a 55cm, and it is pretty uncomfortable. It obviously has a much more relaxed geometry, but I literally have to raise the seatpost as high as it will go for it to be bearable.

No it is still being shipped. That's why I decided to get some input from here, if it was a catastrophic decision and I should have gotten a 53 or a 50, I could easily return it.

Where's jaytron's fit calculator link pic post thingy?

I'm 5'11" with a 32-34 inseam for pants, the bike I have is a 54 in a Vilano and they went even with frame sizes from 50-60 if I recall. I find the step over for the 54 is right about as tall as I'd like it to be even with a Pake top tube pad that recently bought for it. Mine has a sloping top tube that I occasionally scuffed with my sneakers after riding for an hour or so prior to the top tube pad. Flat footed and it's not an issue with any dangling appendages in the crotch area. If you've been on a 60 and had no problems with that, then a 57 shouldn't be an issue. What your inseam for pants that you wear vs actual crotch to ground clearance with your riding shoes of choice might determine what you would prefer. If it's not too late you might be able to email customer service and change your order to a 55 ? It takes them a day to sort out that anyway before most places fill the oder and ship later in the afternoon ? Just me personally, but I'd rather extend the seat tube to fit rather than have a lot of excess to grow into that is unused. But that means you're probably at the max height you could ever resale the bike to another ?

I definitely measured my inseam and I would barely be able to stand over flat footed (barefoot) according to Mercier's geometry, so I should be alright. I just checked the shipping progress, and it is probably too late to ask for a 55cm. Your point about simply raising the seatpost as opposed to having too big of a frame, is a good one.

Standover height is an incidental measure of fit. What's important is top tube length which, based on what you've said, should be within a good fit range for you with the 57. It is true that some people like to size down on their frames, and that is largely due to current trends in the way professional cyclists fit their bikes. It is "fashionable" right now to have oodles of seatpost showing and steep saddle to bar drop, but that dynamic is not right for everyone.

edit- And I think a 50 or 53 would probably be much too small for you, but that is just one man's opinion.

I'm about 6' even, ride 57cm, and I have a decent amount of seatpost showing. Unless you have disproportionately long legs, you probably would've been better sizing down. That's just my opinion though. If I were to build a townie right now, I'd probably size up for a more comfortable setup (less saddle to bar drop).

Just depends on what you're looking for.

im 5'11 ride a 56cm schwinn right now and plan on buying a frame soon but will be going to my lbs to get a better idea of what size i need. im leaning towards a 55.

6" tall and i ride a 57cm kilo with just over a fist's worth of seatpost showing. Fits well but i don't think I could go any larger, and if I was going to do drops and hoods, this frame'd feel too large.

only problem with converting stuff to/from a kilo is that you've got a 1" steerer and a 26.8 seatpost...

I was asleep, hahaha. I almost didn't even bother with posting the calculator, since the OP already made his purchase (lol gg)


FITMENT QUESTION?

http://i.imgur.com/YQM4D.jpg

>>>FITMENT CALCULATOR<<<

well that's not very helpful ;)

this one shows 5'10" right at the 57cm frame size.

http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/im...es-table_1.gif

I have a 59cm Surly Steamroller and I'm 6'1".

I'd guess you'd be fine. But yeah, like hairnet says, I'd test one out first.

Right, but the Kilo is measured center to center, where the majority of frames are measured center to top. A 57cm will fit more like a typical 59 or 60.

Uh oh... Time to send it back man. Don't be dumb. Send it back.

Wow that is a crappy chart. Especially when there's a fitment calculator posted right before it.

And yeah, that chart is pretty stupid.

That chart definitely isn't something to go by religiously. I have legs the length of someone almost 5'8", but I'm only 5'3" trolololol

Your first mistake was not using the fit calc. Your second mistake was poorly using hologram technology.

sorry about the chart. i found it on the internet.

was just trying to make the poor guy feel better.