Road bike size for ...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Road bike size for 6 footer

14 Posts
12 Users
0 Reactions
197 Views
Posts: 621
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Roughly what size road bike should a six foot tall newbie buy?

I've been and sat on some but they all felt weird/uncomfortable (probably 'cos I'm used to my mountain bike).

Anyway, the Competitive Cyclist calculator came out at 51-52 (race) and 54-55 (comfort). However the people in shop were trying to get me to buy a 58-60 sized bike which seems like quite a jump.

The ones I'm looking at are the cheaper Tribans from Decathlon, etc.

ta


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:11 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Completely depends on the bike. I'm 5'7" and ride a 54cm Cube.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Probably a 56/57/58, will depend on the bike though. I'm 6'1" and ride a 56cm Scott CX bike, but it's a bit small for me.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:17 pm
 mrmo
Posts: 10687
Free Member
 

6foot and ride a 57cm.

I struggle to see how any calculator can come up with a 51cm.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:20 pm
Posts: 1442
Free Member
 

Could be anything from a 53 to 59 or M, L or XL.
So many variables in manufactures, ways of measuring, stem length, head tube, seat angle, flexibility, arm length, torso length, leg length etc etc.

Anecdotal sizing as a guide is pissing in the wind, unless you have a knowledgeable opinion from another road cyclist or good shop staff it's a lottery getting the correct fit if you or the people you are buying the bike from know nothing about bike fit.
Look at the online guides and take a punt, with a bit of luck you can make it fit. 🙄


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:23 pm
Posts: 621
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Anecdotal sizing as a guide is pissing in the wind, unless you have a knowledgeable opinion from another road cyclist or good shop staff it's a lottery getting the correct fit if you or the people you are buying the bike from know nothing about bike fit.

Yep totally agree with that but I've had such a wide range of suggestions now that it's hard to know what's right.

Certainly sounds like i should be on a 57 ish frame so I think the other riders i chatted to in the shop did a better job than the staff and the online thingys! thanks all.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:38 pm
Posts: 20675
 

Im 6 foot with longish legs and normal everything else, I'm a 58 with a 100mm stem on a Trek, go to a shop for a fitting?


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:43 pm
Posts: 1617
Free Member
 

I would say 57cm +/- 1cm.

I am shorter than you but have an XL Focus which is 57mm but it fits me fine. It's an odd sized bike though and only has a stand over slightly higher than a 54cm Ribble which is the size I would normally ride.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 4:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'm 6'
Can't really comment on the Decathalon models but I have one of there cheap hardtails as a runaround and I need an XL 😕

Anyway, with all the big US names, a 56cm fits me about right


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 5:17 pm
Posts: 1442
Free Member
 

sounds like i should be on a 57 ish frame

And depending on the manufacturer there will be +/- 2 cm for effective top tube length which in road bike terms is more than the difference between fit and not fit.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 5:44 pm
Posts: 175
Free Member
 

I`m 6ft.I used to ride a 58cm Trek 1200 which was a tad too big.I tried a 56 when I bought it and that felt a tad too small.A 56cm Specialized feels right,but so does a 57cm Bianchi.

I`m ow riding a m/l Giant Defy and that feels perfect.

Moral of story,try lots of bikes!


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 6:12 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

6'1 here. 34 inch leg, short arms, big feet (winning smile, slighlty ginger) My traditional road bike was was a 61 and a bit too much of a stretch. 56 CX bike and 56 track bike are both spot on for a mountain bike rider as they are not too stretched out. 58 better for a more racey ride. Now riding a Medium Giant TCR, which has loads of setpost out (seems weird to me) but length is perfect.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 6:19 pm
Posts: 1
Free Member
 

Try as many as you can, and remember the head tube is as important as the seat tube when it comes to getting a proper fit. I was well within the height range for a 58cm Cayo, I'm now on a 60cm Genesis and a 61cm Scott.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 6:19 pm
Posts: 9306
Free Member
 

Look up reach and stack figures if available - not that you need a particlar dimension to be 'right', just a useful way of comparing different brands for fit. You can have a 53cm with the same reach and stack as a 59cm, as long as the seat can hit the right point for you to be balanced when seated and the R+S works, all's good. You can also adjust to different set ups if it's not for pro-level output stuff so fit advise should work more with how you ride rather than a measuring system.


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 6:43 pm
Posts: 621
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Got it! 😀

Went with a 60cm Triban 3 in the end, 57 would have worked too but kept feeling my knees were a bit close to the drops when standing. 55 was much, much too small.

Bike feels like a quality item, in terms of paint, welds and so on it actually looks a lot better than a UK boutique mountain bike frame I paid over £1k for. Just superb for £300.

Now I have to start wearing down Mrs Claus to let me out on it before Christmas morning...

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 27/11/2012 12:15 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!