Sizing issues. Comparing a Medium Cannondale T-800 to others.
 

I apologize for another thread like this but i'd like to hear from someone who has some seat time on a medium framed Cannondale T model and how it compares to a Surley LHT or other popular touring bikes. I recently bought the used medium feeling confident it would fit well based on my other rides. Not so. Turns out things are just a little too cozy for me. I have toe contact with the front tire and i can't get the seat far enough back for my tastes. All is not lost as it fits my touring partner perfectly! Anyway, what size Surley LHT most closely mimics the Cannondale's fit? Thanks in advance.

Not too many touring bikes in my part of the world, so i'll most likely buy one used sight unseen and a test fit may not be possible.

Thanks in advance.
keith

I have no idea but I had a 56cm 700c LHT and my feet hit the front fender/tire too much for my taste. Everything is great with the 26" version. Don't think either one rides like the Cannondale.

I'm not sure this will help, but I ordered a T800 based on test rides and components. However, when I went to pick it up I changed my mind and purchased a Bianchi Volpe. The Volpe was on sale and my wife had a T800. I really didn't want his and hers bikes. I know that is a dumb reason, and my wife says it is a "man thing", but that's the way it was. I orderd the large T800 which fit me very close to the 58 cm Bianchi. I now have a LHT, also a 58 cm, which feels just a hair bigger than the Bianchi. The M T800 was too small. I'm not sure if I'd make this leap, but assuming the LT800 fit you might be around the 58 cm size. I am right at 6' with a 34'' standover height, and relatively short torso. Good luck.

On a side note. I probably could hit my front fender with my foot if I tried. This will only happen going slow and turning the bars more than in normal riding. My wife has 2 touring bikes, 47 cm frame and the T800 small, with 700c wheels. Because of the small frame size she could hit the wheel with her foot easily. However in thousands of miles it has never been a problem.

The Cannondales are short in the cockpit. I'm 5'9 and ride a Large T2000 and really like the fit - I'm less stretched out than I was on my 54cm Trek 520.

Thanks!. I had about decided i was loosing my mind or that the medium was a mislabeled small.

My wife has a 2000 T800 in medium. It's about a 54cm frame. Great bike.

I am 6'+ and had a T800 in large. Really liked the bike, but it was just too small. Looking for an XL, but I do think they run pretty small compared to other bikes. Also had toe overlap issues which I hope will be solved with the XL.

All the Cannondale touring bikes have toe overlap to some degree - just a result of the front end geometry. You get used to it.

Update: I stumbled onto a large Cannondale T2000 just down the road from me. Fits like a glove!

Awesome bike if it fits. Don't let it get away.

I have an XL Cannondale t1. The seat tube is 58 cm. It fits well. My other bike, purchased over the internet, has a 57 cm seat tube. It is smallish for me. I'd have done better to wait for a 60 to come up.
Ride the bike if you can before you buy it. If you can't ride it, ride similar bikes and compare the geometry.

It's mine. Road it for the second time today! Rides like a dream.

Good show! You're going to love the bike.

Glad it got sorted, I was going to repeat .. Measure ! inches or MM.

then you have as standardized unit to compare.

I'm the same height and have a T800 in what I think could be XL. It's a little too big for me and I'm definitely looking to pass it on.

I normally ride a 60cm bike and am not sure if I'm measuring correctly, considering the slanting top tube and adjusting for the virtual top tube, etc.

If you can help clarify the size...

I've got a few hundred miles on it now and you are correct. Great bike! If plans hold, i should be rolling through Portland on it sometime in mid August!:)

Glad you like it! Good luck on the tour and let me know if you need a place to stay or any assistance when you get out here.

Cheers, John

Wow. Thanks! I have to tell you we can't wait to see the cycling "promised land". In our part of the world, we often fantasize about what it would be like to live in Portland.

great to hear, back when I had my shop Cannondale was just starting with bikes and the clunky big tubed Cannondale touring bike was the best touring bike I'd seen yet. Mtn. bike frame builders were making their frames with oversized tubes for strength/rigidity but for some reason all the fine touring bikes were with standard road sized tubing which was really inadequate for loaded bikes and big people.