What is the ideal cycling body type

netscriber said:

I have seen a similar question out there. But this is a different question. What could be the ideal cycling body type?
6' 150 lbs?

Am I not the right fit? 5'4" 115lbs. 😄 I always have problems with an aero position with the frame sizes available. 49, 50" smallest.

I would think that the "ideal" body type depends on the goal - that's one of the great things about cycling. You've got big guys like Magnus Backstead over 6 feet and something like 190 lbs who can do well in the spring classics and you've got tiny little guys like Rujano 5'2" 106 lbs motoring up the mountains and winning stages at the Giro. Then the all arounder's are of an entirely different makeup again.

Are you looking specifically for a TT frame? You could swallow a little pride and look at a women's model. I've looked around just for fun and found exactly one that I think I would fit on (I'm 5'0", 103lbs - not your ideal TT build so I don't think I'll buy it 🙄 ) made by K2. They go down to a 44cm, which is the size of my road bike.

This question was just out of curiosity. I am 35 and have a well established profession. There is not way I could get into the professional cyclist path right now.
However being competitive, this question often comes to mind. To add a perspective, what would the ideal body size type be for a road racer doing usual medium sized fast races. Like Cat2-5, 30-60 miles road races and crits?

Iam not looking for a frame or bike at the moment but I have looked at womens frames and doesnt the smaller wheel prove to be a disadvantage?

netscriber said:

Iam not looking for a frame or bike at the moment but I have looked at womens frames and doesnt the smaller wheel prove to be a disadvantage?

I've seen lots of arguments for both sides (650's v/s 700's), but even at its small size I have 700's on my bike so I haven't had to worry about it - then again it also means I have no point of comparison.

Eden said:

I've seen lots of arguments for both sides (650's v/s 700's), but even at its small size I have 700's on my bike so I haven't had to worry about it - then again it also means I have no point of comparison.

I am also 5'4" and I was looking at a 650cc the other day at my friends lbs. It looked soo small to me even. I was kind of afraid to try and mount it because the handlebars were so low in relation to the saddle. Granted, I ride MTB's exclusively, on or off road, and I expect my HB's to be at least level with the saddle. It also looked fragile to me, but then I also weigh 165lbs and I don't shy away from curbs, potholes or parking lot 'exchanges'(jumps).

Er, back on topic. I can't say there is a perfect build. I like mine, its not exactly aerodynamic with my wide shoulders, but my matching hips and legs produce lots and lots of torque, which lets me ride on my 44t ring all day long. ( though I sometimes snap chains.)

Blademun said:

I am also 5'4" and I was looking at a 650cc the other day at my friends lbs. It looked soo small to me even. I was kind of afraid to try and mount it because the handlebars were so low in relation to the saddle. Granted, I ride MTB's exclusively, on or off road, and I expect my HB's to be at least level with the saddle. It also looked fragile to me, but then I also weigh 165lbs and I don't shy away from curbs, potholes or parking lot 'exchanges'(jumps).

Er, back on topic. I can't say there is a perfect build. I like mine, its not exactly aerodynamic with my wide shoulders, but my matching hips and legs produce lots and lots of torque, which lets me ride on my 44t ring all day long. ( though I sometimes snap chains.)

So I am a little confused. You said you liked yours but did not mention what you are riding. Are you riding a 650 right now?

One of the thoughts I have been drooling over is replacing the front wheel with a 650c and a smaller fork. That will lower the front of the bike a lot while still using a 49-50cm frame. 🙂

The ideal cycling body type is the type that likes to RIDE! 🙂

netscriber said:

One of the thoughts I have been drooling over is replacing the front wheel with a 650c and a smaller fork. That will lower the front of the bike a lot while still using a 49-50cm frame. 🙂

It's doable, but it increases the effective head tube angle. On a big frame this makes the handling pretty scary, but on a 49cm it might work out.

Doh, No, I am not. I thought about it but decided to stay with mtb's. I am building a chromoly full rigid mt.bike for the road. I have a pair of nice road slicks that will make it fly like a roadie.

artmichalek said:

It's doable, but it increases the effective head tube angle. On a big frame this makes the handling pretty scary, but on a 49cm it might work out.

Yup, I agree. The fact that my bike, Scattante has very slack seat and head tyube angles(way to the back) might work because it will slightly straighten the angle when the bike gets lowered in the front.

But, this is just a dream 🙂 , I do not have any spare monies for a new fork, single wheel tires....etc. Might be project in the future. 😄

netscriber said:

One of the thoughts I have been drooling over is replacing the front wheel with a 650c and a smaller fork. That will lower the front of the bike a lot while still using a 49-50cm frame. 🙂

Here is some information on smaller bikes. This thread refers to "A Bike For My Sister" but has a lot of info on smaller sizes including 650 wheels. You will notice a thread or 2 from "Sydney", that would be a member known as "Boudreaux" on this site, his knowlege of bikes was outstanding.

I have a copy (of a picture) of a Giant TCR from a user known as "Pedalbyte" on Bikeforums.net. The bike has a 650 front wheel and is mounted on what looks to be a 48cm frame (or what Giant calls small).

bikeforums.netshowthread.phpOpen ↗

lwedge said:

I have a copy (of a picture) of a Giant TCR from a user known as "Pedalbyte" on Bikeforums.net. The bike has a 650 front wheel and is mounted on what looks to be a 48cm frame (or what Giant calls small).

Thanks! Hey, the fork looks nice and tight with the 650C front wheel. Was the fork replaced? Shouldn't a 700C fork be longer than a 650c fork?

netscriber said:

Thanks! Hey, the fork looks nice and tight with the 650C front wheel . Was the fork replaced? Shouldn't a 700C fork be longer than a 650c fork?

I think this is doable, you are only dealing with the radius of the wheel vs the fork length (LBS would know for sure though). . I notice the front wheel hase 2 or 3 less spokes with roughly the same spoke spacing as the rear wheel. Here is some more info on 650's.

650 c wheels were developed, (for the 1980 American Olympic Team?), for team trialing on the track so the riders pacing behind the lead rider could "tuck in" a couple of inches closer behind the next wheel due to their smaller diameter and save energy from a better wind block. These bikes used a 650 on the front only, because that was the only place they were an advantage. A 700 c wheel "rolls" better because it's larger size rides over the bumps more effeciently. Many people think 650 has an advantage because of reduced wind resistance because of the smaller profile, but that advantage is negated by the increased rolling resistance of the smaller wheel. 650 c wheels are great for smaller riders though. 700 c wheels have a smoother ride too, the size was developed for the "safety bike"- the basic design we have now,at or before the turn of the century for just that!

Magnus Backstead and Rujano can do well as long as LA doesn't show up. Lets face it 5 ft 8 inches 160lbs with 460 watts of sustainable power will smoke the competition on hills and flats so there is your ideal until some one better comes along. Who is Magnus Backstead and Rujano? Thats an even better question.🙂

Eden said:

I would think that the "ideal" body type depends on the goal - that's one of the great things about cycling. You've got big guys like Magnus Backstead over 6 feet and something like 190 lbs who can do well in the spring classics and you've got tiny little guys like Rujano 5'2" 106 lbs motoring up the mountains and winning stages at the Giro. Then the all arounder's are of an entirely different makeup again.

Are you looking specifically for a TT frame? You could swallow a little pride and look at a women's model. I've looked around just for fun and found exactly one that I think I would fit on (I'm 5'0", 103lbs - not your ideal TT build so I don't think I'll buy it 🙄 ) made by K2. They go down to a 44cm, which is the size of my road bike.

wiredued said:

Who is Magnus Backstead and Rujano? Thats an even better question.🙂

Sounds like you probably know, but for the benefit of anyone who does not..

Jose Rujano Guillen: rode for Selle Italia this year, not a pro-tour team but in the Giro. Won the KOM competition and at least one mt. Stage. Romped all over Simoni who is supposed to be a very good climber. Can't wait to see him on a pro-tour team next year.

Magnus Backstead: big Swede who lives in Wales. Various wins and places including winning Paris Roubaix in 2004. Has ridden the TdF a number of times and even took a stage at least once. Rumored to be the biggest guy in the (pro-tour) peleton.

I'll bet you can guess which is which

wiredued said:

Magnus Backstead and Rujano can do well as long as LA doesn't show up. Lets face it 5 ft 8 inches 160lbs with 460 watts of sustainable power will smoke the competition on hills and flats so there is your ideal until some one better comes along. Who is Magnus Backstead and Rujano? Thats an even better question.🙂

5'8" 160 might make for a good all around grand tour build, but Lance would have gotten crushed if he ever rode any of the spring classics.

By who?😕

artmichalek said:

5'8" 160 might make for a good all around grand tour build, but Lance would have gotten crushed if he ever rode any of the spring classics.

wiredued said:

By who?😕

Hard to say since he hasn't raced too many. The 2003 [font=Verdana][font=Verdana]Liege-Bastogne-Liege comes to mind. He claimed to be going for the win and finished 20th behind Tyler Hamilton, who's hardly a classics specialist himself. If Armstrong ever went up against Boonen, who puts out over 1500 watts in a sprint, he wouldn't stand a chance.[/font][/font]

I think it is common knowledge that LA peaks for TDF and the question that started the thread is not asking what is the ideal team racing tactics which were used to slow down and reel in a break away by LA or who is the best sprinter. The question was asking for ideal body type his balance of size weight and power is best thats all.

artmichalek said:

Hard to say since he hasn't raced too many. The 2003 [font=Verdana][font=Verdana]Liege-Bastogne-Liege comes to mind. He claimed to be going for the win and finished 20th behind Tyler Hamilton, who's hardly a classics specialist himself. If Armstrong ever went up against Boonen, who puts out over 1500 watts in a sprint, he wouldn't stand a chance.[/font][/font]