zeppinger

Hi everyone,

I know that the answer to jsut about any sizing questions on this forum tend to be, "Ride everything and go with what feels good" or of course "ask a profesional at a good bike shop," so I apologize ahead of time for the lame question. However, Im in a kinda lame situation.


I just moved to Korea and did not bring my bike with me because I want to do some touring while I am over here and needed an excuse to purchase a ture touring bike. There is only one surly dealer in all of Korea and it is in Seoul, on the other side of the country from me They only order them and have none in the store to test ride. I want to 26 inch wheels so there is no question there as I am thinking aobut riding in south east asia or possiubly across china. However, since I can not ride the surly and have never ridden one, except a buddies Cross check that was very nice, I need help deciding what size to order. There really are not any other touring bikes that I am interested in that I can get over here. I looked at the Bruce Gordon Rock and Roll but its just too expensive and I could not ride that one either

Anyways I am 5 foot 7 and my inseem is 80 with no shoes on. I think I am pretty normally porpotioned but who really knows right? Some bike shop guys have told me that i have shorter legs and a longer torso for my size. Whatever... What else should I measure? I think the 54 would be too big. I think the 52 would be perfect for my inseem. I have had some bike shop guys suggest that I go with a 50 but I dont know if they were saying that just for fit or for lighter weight. I tend to agree with the guys and Rivindel that say you should go with the largest possible size for your inseem.

Here are some links to bike geometry for my last bike, a Giant FCR3 which I found to be pretty comfy on my PCH tour though my hands sometime went numb. I have a size M and it looks a bit on the large size for me.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ad/2268/32201/

This is a link to the long haul trucker website for geometry.


https://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html


What do you guys think? 52 or 50?

Thanks a lot!

juggleaddict

I am 5'7" and ride a 56cm Langster. I'm going with a 52cm Trucker that I'm getting over the summer. The Langster is a bit big, but I've made it work with adjustments. In all fairness, I haven't test ridden one, but that will be the frame I'm ordering to the shop. I think this bike runs a little big according to the numbers, I was told I should be on a 54cm when I bought the previous bike.

ugg, these threads always get so huge. : P

idegen

This spreadsheet might be useful: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...31WpvkCw&hl=en

It is from the LHT/Crosscheck discussion group. It shows what frame size people are using and what their height and inseam are. (Current LHT owners, please add your info!)

kuan

Definitely 52cm. I'm 5' 6" and ride a 50cm with about 4" of tube showing.

zeppinger

That spread sheet is pretty nice but there also seems to be a lot of variability. I think my choice of the 52 is still the happy medium. Anyone disagree, and why?

Hasek

Yep, there is a lot a variables in that list. I had a lot of variables from the 4 different bike shops I went to to get sized before I bought my LHT. The list is of course just more info so people can see a bunch of info quickly at one time. Will it let you know definately which size LHT to get? No.

There is also a second sheet that you can find on the lower left of the spreadsheet that people can offer to let others sit on their LHT to check top tube and standover height. This should be awefully handy if you don't have a Surly dealer with inventory near by.

kuan

I think seat tube is the first variable you should consider. Take the seat tube, add 3-4" to it, add crank length, and see if that's 3-4" more than your inseam.

robow

I would say the 52 because you will still be reducing your effective top tube (most important measurement in many eyes) by a full 2.5 cm from your present Giant bike giving you a slightly more upright position.

LeeG

sounds good, I've got a 56cm LHT and it's the tallest bike I'd want with about an inch standover clearance, considered the 54 but wanted a longer toptube. With a 10cm 7degree stem I'm happy. Ive got big feet and long arms for my height with average torso/leg proportion so I seem to gravitate to frames about 1cm taller than other folks my height, 5'9 1/2". I'd prefer to have the 26" wheels for their lateral rigidity and better toe clearance.

Erick L

I'm 5'8" and ride a 52cm. It's fine for the road but I wish I had a 50cm for dirt roads and trails because sometimes I come to a sudden stop and my nuts think the top tube is a little too high.

zeppinger

I imagine that dirt riding will be more of a novelty for me than actual necessity, whats your inseam btw?

lifeguardsteve

I am of similar size and just got my 52- I think it would be the best size for you as well. And I hear that the 54's run large for their size. So better a bit small than a bit too large- easier to compensate for slightly small than slightly large- and the 50 would be far too small.

S

benajah

I'm 5' 8-1/2" and have a 56. It is certainly big ( I usually ride a 54 or 53 road bike) but not uncomfortably so. I probably could not comfortably ride anything larger though.

dsmyers

5'9", and I ride a 58...but I have long legs for my height, and a 56 might have been better. Just saying that you can ride a larger frame than you might think...