Sizing question on two bikes

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Taskmaxter
All,
I need your feedback on a couple of bikes. I have been looking at a Trek 5200 bike and a Specialized Roubaix Comp 27 at a lBS. I have been able to ride a 62CM Trek 5200 and a 56CM Roubaix Comp. The LBS did not have a 60CM Trek or the 58CM Roubaix in stock for a trial run. I am 6' 2" and weigh ~220 LBS. Are any of you out there around my height and have tried either of these bikes (in the various sizes?). I know the 56CM Roubaix is too small for me, but I was told that the 58CM should be fine. The 62CM Trek seemed good except I felt that I was "reaching" a long distance to grab the handlebars. Would a 60CM be a better bet in the Trek for my size? Would the 58CM Roubaix still be too small for me?

Thanks in advance!

Task

No one here can tell you what size you need.You can check geometry charts at the respective sites for TT length which is as important or more so than 'nominal' size.FWIW, trek measures to the top of an extended seattube,and specializrd c-top toptube I think.Also find a shop that really know about fitting.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
No one here can tell you what size you need.You can check geometry charts at the respective sites for TT length which is as important or more so than 'nominal' size.FWIW, trek measures to the top of an extended seattube,and specializrd c-top toptube I think.Also find a shop that really know about fitting.

Thanks boudreaux for your reply. I've heard conflicting statements about the 58CM Roubaix Comp from a couple of different LBS near me. One tells me that it should not be a problem for my size and another says the 58CM would still be too small of a bike for me and should stick to 60cm and higher. I've been a MTB rider for many years and I'm a newbie when it comes to Road Bikes (so, I gotta lot to learn)

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Taskmaxter
Thanks boudreaux for your reply. I've heard conflicting statements about the 58CM Roubaix Comp from a couple of different LBS near me. One tells me that it should not be a problem for my size and another says the 58CM would still be too small of a bike for me and should stick to 60cm and higher. I've been a MTB rider for many years and I'm a newbie when it comes to Road Bikes (so, I gotta lot to learn)

The 58 specailized has essentially the same TT length as the 60 trek. Many people buy the Trek for the wrong reasons.Be sure you can get the bars high enough without having to resort to goofy solutions. Don't learn the hard way by spending alot on something that does not fit. Some shops are good at fitting,and some don't have a clue.

Agree don't just take someone's advice on frame size based on what they have to sell you. You don't want to start out road biking on something that doesn't fit. The correct frame size will be the result of what you need for seat height and setback, as well as reach and drop to the bars. IMO, you should establish those dimensions that you want first, and then get a frame that is best centered around them.

EG, if 58 cm is undersize, you may find later that you need the seat post all the way up, or an extra-long seatpost, to get the right leg extension to the pedals. Then, you end up with too much drop and reach to the handlebars, forcing you into more of a race position than you're comfortable with.

Last month's Bicycling mag had a basic article on fit, with a picture, that could give you a starting point of what the standard road bike fit looks like. You can also go online to Competitive Cyclist or Wrench Science (and probably others) and enter your measurements (arm, torso, leg length, etc) into their fit calculators. These should get you in the ball park; you may find their reach or drop from the seat to the bars is better suited to a low racing position than what you're comfortable with or want for recreational riding.

Another option is to spend money for a custom fit, if that is available in your area.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Taskmaxter
All,
I need your feedback on a couple of bikes. I have been looking at a Trek 5200 bike and a Specialized Roubaix Comp 27 at a lBS. I have been able to ride a 62CM Trek 5200 and a 56CM Roubaix Comp. The LBS did not have a 60CM Trek or the 58CM Roubaix in stock for a trial run. I am 6' 2" and weigh ~220 LBS. Are any of you out there around my height and have tried either of these bikes (in the various sizes?). I know the 56CM Roubaix is too small for me, but I was told that the 58CM should be fine. The 62CM Trek seemed good except I felt that I was "reaching" a long distance to grab the handlebars. Would a 60CM be a better bet in the Trek for my size? Would the 58CM Roubaix still be too small for me?
Task

Funny, we're about the same size (6'1', 215#). I was measured by my local by LBS with some new laser thing. The optimum frame size came out to be 57cm. So the first thing they put me on was a 61cm Specialized Sequoia (I don't think the guy believed the computer). I felt like I was reaching to get to the handlebars like you were with the Trek. I tried out a 58cm Roubaix Comp along with some settings from Wrench Science which came out to be 57cm too based on self-measuring and that's what I went with. I've had the Roubaix for a couple of days now and it seems good on the few rides I've had thus far. Tomorrow I plan a longer ride so we'll see.

Cheers,
Bill