Road Bike Sizing

littleknown

hi, looking for some advice on road bike sizing, i am 6ft and am looking at getting either a trek madone or specialized tarmac, Shop i have been in has a really good deal on 54inch specialized tarmac and roubaix. is this sizing way off? i would have thought a 56 to 58 but they guy in the shop said i could get away with a 54. anyone have any independent advice? a 54 did look small but quite a long top tube may make up for it or am i only kidding myself?:D

thanks

xz

This will help you, it's Specialized own size guide, and as you can see, the guy in the shop was just looking for the sale, you were right, a 56cm -58cm would be more suited to your height requirements, would go 58cm if I were you

S-WORKS ROAD Transition Rider Height Rider Height (cm)
Bike Size
Small 5' 0" - 5' 5" 152 - 165
Medium 5' 5" - 5' 10" 165 - 178
Large 5' 10" - 6' 3" 178 - 191
X-Large 6' 2" - 6' 6" 188 - 198

S-Works Tarmac SL2 Rider Height Rider Height (cm)
Bike Size
49cm 5' 0" - 5' 3" 152 - 160
52cm 5' 3" - 5' 6" 160 - 168
54cm 5' 6" - 5' 9" 168 - 175
56cm 5' 9" - 6' 0" 175 - 183
58cm 6' 0" - 6' 3" 183 - 191
61cm 6' 3" - 6' 6" 191 - 198

S-Works Roubaix SL Rider Height Rider Height (cm)
Bike Size
49cm 5' 0" - 5' 3" 152 - 160
52cm 5' 3" - 5' 6" 160 - 168
54cm 5' 6" - 5' 9" 168 - 175
56cm 5' 9" - 6' 0" 175 - 183
58cm 6' 0" - 6' 3" 183 - 191
61cm 6' 3" - 6' 6" 191 - 198

littleknown

thanks for that,couldnt accesss the specialized website before, so really that rules the 54inch out, pity as it was a good price, it just doesnt seem in theory to be that much of a difference but i guess it is?

sy

littleknown wrote: »

hi, looking for some advice on road bike sizing, i am 6ft and am looking at getting either a trek madone or specialized tarmac, Shop i have been in has a really good deal on 54inch specialized tarmac and roubaix. is this sizing way off? i would have thought a 56 to 58 but they guy in the shop said i could get away with a 54. anyone have any independent advice? a 54 did look small but quite a long top tube may make up for it or am i only kidding myself?:D

thanks

54 in my opinion is too small. You have to think of reach aswell as height. A 56 or maybe a 58 as recommended in previous post.

SetOverSet

OP, I'm 5' 9" and ride a 54cm, which is perfect for me, so definitely too small for someone 6'

brayblue24

I'm 6' and have a Specialized Roubaix size 56cm-perfect fit. 54cm will be too small for you

Smithzer

I'm 6ft and got 56" Scott Addict, its spot on I'd say 54" would be too small.

avalanche

i know some people who are 6ft and over who prefer using the smaller size bikes as long as the top tube is long enough you should be alright, best bet is to try it out! i used to have a 54_55 a while back and im 186 and it was fine,

littleknown

last time lads, its today or never, so theres no way i could squeeze myself on to a 54? really is a good deal which would be a same to see it go but if theres no way theres no way....

rottenhat

It's unlikely that you will ever be able to get properly comfortable on a bike that is too small for you. It's a false bargain, and ultimately you'll probably find yourself either replacing the bike or just not riding it. Hold onto your money and buy a bike that will fit you.

littleknown

just used an online tool using my measurements here

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=825

the bit that says *perfect positioning system*

and it recommends a 54 although im not convinces based on all your feeback
body height 186
inseam length 83
torso length 55
arms length 75
weight 85

must have done something wrong or wishful thinking is coming into play

blorg

It can be different for different brands, depending on the geometry. At 6ft, 33.75" inseam I have fitted well on 58cm Trek and Specialized which are the brands you are considering, I possibly would have been OK on 56cm also however. The Canyon calculator put me on 56cm. It seems to be mostly keyed off inseam, strange as the general advice is short legs/long torso you go up a size, not down (as you will need more reach due to your torso length.)

Your best bet, especially as you are buying from a shop, is to test ride the bikes in 54/56/58 and see what suits you best. I would hope this would help bring it out. Is this your first road bike or have you a previous bike as a reference point?

jdt101

I'm 5'10'' and have a Cervelo Soloist in 54cm, fit is perfect. Have you taken the bike for a short spin?

avalanche

found this measuring tool which might help you

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR&ANSWER=1&SITE.CODE=&STEP=2&FC_ANSWER_1=84

that said, i just tried my own measurements which isnt far off your own and a 54 was also suggested! as a possibility.
personally though i reckon if you have any doubts dont do it until you have tried it out.

littleknown

well, i tried out a 54 bike in a different shop and to be honest it didnt feel all that bad but the guy in the shop recommended at least a size or two up, the reality was the 54 was pretty much half price, a great offer and a shame to let it go, felt maybe the smaller size would have been doable especially considering the savings,

Lumen

littleknown wrote: »

maybe the smaller size would have been doable especially considering the savings,

This is true if you want to hang the bike on your wall and look at it.

But if you want to ride a bike, get one that fits.