Bike size problems

ant_SJD said:

Hi,
I have a Trek 1000 58cm frame and am not doing any racing, just trips of around 50-60miles on it at the moment.
I am 5'10.5" and have an inside leg measurement of 32".
I feel totally comfortable on this bike and have no problems with it as far as I can tell. But I went into a shop which I didn't buy my bike from and they told me that it was too big because I needed a higher sit pin, although they didn't tell me why this was important.
I went back to the shop that I bought my bike from who told me the bike was fine. They put me on the phone to some guy at Trek in England, who asked me how high I was. I told him my height and he said that was the same size as Lance Armstrong, who also rides a 58cm Trek, and that is exactly right.
Somebody else told me that it is the wrong size because of the clearance between me and the top tube but there is about an inch gap. If I slipped I would still be hitting my tenderest parts whether it was a 56 or 58 cm frame!
I was hoping that someone on this forum would be able to tell me once and for all. Am I stressing about nothing?!

Thanks,

Ant.

You will get more BS here than from the people that can actually see you on the bike. If it feels ok,don't you think that might be telling you something? You go with a smaller size,The TT will almost always be shorter and your can also have trouble getting the bars high enough.

ant_SJD said:

Hi,
I have a Trek 1000 58cm frame and am not doing any racing, just trips of around 50-60miles on it at the moment.
I am 5'10.5" and have an inside leg measurement of 32".
I feel totally comfortable on this bike and have no problems with it as far as I can tell. But I went into a shop which I didn't buy my bike from and they told me that it was too big because I needed a higher sit pin, although they didn't tell me why this was important.
I went back to the shop that I bought my bike from who told me the bike was fine. They put me on the phone to some guy at Trek in England, who asked me how high I was. I told him my height and he said that was the same size as Lance Armstrong, who also rides a 58cm Trek, and that is exactly right.
Somebody else told me that it is the wrong size because of the clearance between me and the top tube but there is about an inch gap. If I slipped I would still be hitting my tenderest parts whether it was a 56 or 58 cm frame!
I was hoping that someone on this forum would be able to tell me once and for all. Am I stressing about nothing?!

Thanks,

Ant.

A 58cm bike is probably too big for 90% of guys with your inseam and height... but you might be in the 10%. No need to stress about it if you're comfortable riding it, but if you're in the market for a new bike I'd have someone fit you professionally.

boudreaux said:

You will get more BS here than from the people that can actually see you on the bike. If it feels ok,don't you think that might be telling you something? You go with a smaller size,The TT will almost always be shorter and your can also have trouble getting the bars high enough.

I don't agree with this at all... clearly if the bike fits you wouldn't be asking if it was the right size. Always go with what people on a cycling forum think vs. what works. The dealer who told you it was the wrong size clearly would have not have a vested interest in you deciding you had the wrong size bike and would need to buy a new one, preferably from him since he was clearly more knowledable than your original LBS.

sarcasm disclaimer:if your bike fits, who cares what the dealer told you, sack clearance is a concern for Mtn bikes, worry about your position while riding on a road bike, next time you can get a smaller frame with a longer stem if it makes you feel better

ant_SJD said:

Hi,
I have a Trek 1000 58cm frame and am not doing any racing, just trips of around 50-60miles on it at the moment.
I am 5'10.5" and have an inside leg measurement of 32".
I feel totally comfortable on this bike and have no problems with it as far as I can tell. But I went into a shop which I didn't buy my bike from and they told me that it was too big because I needed a higher sit pin, although they didn't tell me why this was important.
I went back to the shop that I bought my bike from who told me the bike was fine. They put me on the phone to some guy at Trek in England, who asked me how high I was. I told him my height and he said that was the same size as Lance Armstrong, who also rides a 58cm Trek, and that is exactly right.
Somebody else told me that it is the wrong size because of the clearance between me and the top tube but there is about an inch gap. If I slipped I would still be hitting my tenderest parts whether it was a 56 or 58 cm frame!
I was hoping that someone on this forum would be able to tell me once and for all. Am I stressing about nothing?!

Thanks,

Ant.

I went through the same thing, 5'10", etc. I had a Trek 5200 that was 58 (still have it on my trainer). I always felt stretched out on it. I kept noticing that I liked to raise the bars and move the seat forward until the bars were as high as I could get, then I got a new stem to raise them even more, and my seat is all the way forward and I wish it was further forward.

I went down and test drove some 56cm bikes, and they felt just a bit better to me. Mabye I'm not flexible enough, or have short legs, or whatever. I bought a Madone in 56, and then an equinox TT in 56. I may even try a 54 for the heck of it. But just to test it. I think I'm happy on the 56's.

It's all about comfort. If you feel good, you probably have the right bike. But try a different frame at a competant shop.

I know in the UK we call a Seat Post a Seat Pin, is this what they/you meant? Or is there some new Bike Part I don't know about?? (That was a serious question btw)....If, in their opinion, the Bike is too big why would you need a higher one?

But anyway, I'm the same height as you and also ride a 58, without shoes I can't stand over the Bike without squishing my Back wheels...

But I purposely bought a 58 because it's perfect for me, I like a Bike that I can sit INTO...not one that makes me feel I'm perched on top of it...but that's me....

Lance might be the same height as you and I, but he might have a taller or shorter inseam, longer/shorte Torso...longer/shorter arms etc so height alone doesn't really mean anything...

If you feel comfy on the Bike don't worry about it...having said that, how can that Trek Rep tell if the Bike was the right size for you over the Phone???

ant_SJD said:

Hi,
I have a Trek 1000 58cm frame and am not doing any racing, just trips of around 50-60miles on it at the moment.
I am 5'10.5" and have an inside leg measurement of 32".
I feel totally comfortable on this bike and have no problems with it as far as I can tell. But I went into a shop which I didn't buy my bike from and they told me that it was too big because I needed a higher sit pin, although they didn't tell me why this was important.
I went back to the shop that I bought my bike from who told me the bike was fine. They put me on the phone to some guy at Trek in England, who asked me how high I was. I told him my height and he said that was the same size as Lance Armstrong, who also rides a 58cm Trek, and that is exactly right.
Somebody else told me that it is the wrong size because of the clearance between me and the top tube but there is about an inch gap. If I slipped I would still be hitting my tenderest parts whether it was a 56 or 58 cm frame!
I was hoping that someone on this forum would be able to tell me once and for all. Am I stressing about nothing?!

Thanks,

Ant.

Thanks for all the words of wisdom.

There is another problem which I haven't mentioned is the fact that the second bike shop who first told me that it was too big have an ongoing rivalry with the place I bought the bike from.
My bike shop is pretty professional and the guy who I deal with has raced to a very high standard on all sorts of bikes and since I feel comfortable on it, and there are obviously people out there the same height and feel comfortable on a 58 aswell, I'm going to stop worrying about it and enjoy my riding.

Thanks again.

Ant.

ant_SJD said:

Thanks for all the words of wisdom.

There is another problem which I haven't mentioned is the fact that the second bike shop who first told me that it was too big have an ongoing rivalry with the place I bought the bike from.
My bike shop is pretty professional and the guy who I deal with has raced to a very high standard on all sorts of bikes and since I feel comfortable on it, and there are obviously people out there the same height and feel comfortable on a 58 aswell, I'm going to stop worrying about it and enjoy my riding.

Thanks again.

Ant.

Good plan, And when you get a few thousand miles under you, you'll be more knowledgable and know more about the bikes comfort.

I am 6'1 and am on a 56cm Cannondale frame. At first thought was too small considering was on a 2 x 58cm (different brands) for 7-8 years, but feel great on 56cm for long rides.

Everyone different, I never had any probs when doing tri's on the 58cm, but was not suited for road racing.

Go with what you feel good with, and what works for you. 🙂