bike size

There are plenty of fit calculators out there, The best thing to do is get fit by a professional at a local shop.

Fit Calculator.

A pro fit will only cost you additional money for something that may or may not work. A true pro fit is really only necessary, and thats debatable, for ordering a custom built bike. Debatable because there are a lot of custom frame builders like Rivendell, Richard Sachs, etc, etc, that make bikes all the time without a pro fit! I've know about a dozen people who have had a pro fit and about 1/2 came out worse then they did going into it. And I know guys who ordered bikes over the phone from Rivendell and got a perfect fit just by answering their fit questions. And really all a pro fit is is an excuse to bring a customer into the store, charge $250 for the fitting and sell you a bunch of stuff that may or may not work. In fact when a marketing rep for a pro fit bike tool comes into a LBS, the selling point isn't: "it will make customers fit on their bikes better", the selling point is that it brings additional profits to the LBS in the form of selling additional and expensive parts. It's pure profit for the LBS.

There are places that can help you fit the bike to you such as: cherry.dcwi.comfitting.htmlOpen ↗ and: peterwhitecycles.comfitting.htmOpen ↗

If your 6' tall you probably run around a 32 inseam, thus you should be looking at 55 to 56 size frame bikes depending on inseam and upper body length. I can ride either of those sizes without problems, everything else is just tinkering by adjusting stem height and reach, and saddle height and position, and pedal positioning to shoe to find the comfort zone.

Quoted post said:

If your 6' tall you probably run around a 32 inseam, thus you should be looking at 55 to 56 size frame bikes depending on inseam and upper body length. I can ride either of those sizes without problems, everything else is just tinkering by adjusting stem height and reach, and saddle height and position, and pedal positioning to shoe to find the comfort zone.

56 to 58 cm, I say. Depending on your proportions, the bike, and how straight you can keep your back.

for some folks it seems that they will not be content until they have a pro bike fit .I have to agree with Froze on this one , it is all about making money . of course having the proper size bike under you can make or break you rides .If your LBS is a good one, there should be some one there (owner or employee ) who is sizing you up as you are walking in and if you purchase a bike from them , all BS aside they should be able to fit you on your bike (takes 20 to 30 minutes if their good ) with no additional charge ! you should also be able to bring your bike back to them for any minor fitting adjustments ( at any time ) at no charge . This is how a good LBS insures repeat business and referrals . unless you are a pro or close to it , or just in a lot of pain when you ride, than I just dont see the actual benefit of spending the money on a pro fit ( 3 D imaging or what ever their process is ). Your splitting hairs at this point . this has been my experience and obviously my opinion .

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by maddogbubba [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

for some folks it seems that they will not be content until they have a pro bike fit .I have to agree with Froze on this one , it is all about making money . of course having the proper size bike under you can make or break you rides .If your LBS is a good one, there should be some one there (owner or employee ) who is sizing you up as you are walking in and if you purchase a bike from them , all BS aside they should be able to fit you on your bike (takes 20 to 30 minutes if their good ) with no additional charge ! you should also be able to bring your bike back to them for any minor fitting adjustments ( at any time ) at no charge . This is how a good LBS insures repeat business and referrals . unless you are a pro or close to it , or just in a lot of pain when you ride, than I just dont see the actual benefit of spending the money on a pro fit ( 3 D imaging or what ever their process is ). Your splitting hairs at this point . this has been my experience and obviously my opinion .

x2. I have been in 4 different shops in the last couple weeks, shopping around for my first "real" road bike. Every one of them has made it very clear that they'll do everything they can to get me on the right bike, from test rides beforehand to a complete fitting of my chosen bike at the time of sale to free adjustments for a year afterward.