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Stuck between two frame sizes

I would really appreciate some help choosing a size of bike frame. I am stuck between choosing the large or the extra large. 

I may go down the route of getting professionally checked on the bike, but there is every chance that since this is a frame company a long way from my house I won't be able to get it properly checked before I try and place an order, only testing on equivalent bikes. I have not decided if I am going for flat bars or drop bars, but more likely drop bars. The big issue is that the 57cm won't be available for 10 weeks but the 58.5 is available now. 

These are the bike sizes:
https://i.stack.imgur.com/liOyb.png

These are my measurements:
https://i.stack.imgur.com/6KxI0.gif

A: 186cm (6ft 1inch)
B:
C: 87cm
D:
E: 62cm (armpit to bottom of thumb as per picture)
F: 

Any help would be really appreciated. My feeling is that the large is the right size, but from my preliminary reading it looks like the extra large may be closer? 

Thank you
 

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7 comments

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Carton | 6 years ago
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I would really recommend that you sort out what you're doing with your bars first. I'm the same height with slightly shorter legs. My road bike is a 56 cm frame with an 120mm stem, my MTB is a 64cm frame with an 80mm stem (and I'd go a bit shorter if I was even sporadically riding more technical terrain). So you're going to get a funky handling bike if you're going to try to switch between flats and drops. 

Avatar
matthewn5 | 6 years ago
1 like

Don't get a frame that's too big. I speak from experience!

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tugglesthegreat | 6 years ago
2 likes

I was buying a Arkose from Evans and on paper I was a large at 5'11".  I had to order a large and when it came riding it, it was way too big. 

Got to agree with the making a smaller bike bigger is the best option and go for the size down.  Sounds tricky in your situation as you can't have a proper test ride!

 

Avatar
surly_by_name | 6 years ago
1 like

Large. (As far as I am concerned, no questions.) I'd recommend a 120 stem rather than a 130. 165mm (including 20mm of cups) for headtube not overly short for a racing bike. I wouldn't recommend allowing a delay in availability push you to purchase a bike that's too big for you.

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Vejnemojnen | 6 years ago
1 like

judged by the top tube, I'd pick the 57cm one, (I'm 2cm-s taller than you&have longer legs and arms). 

 

57cm with 130mm stem.

But the headtube looks very short, even with cups (20-25mm) added. Not really sure what type of frame is this, though from the short chainstays, I guess it's some road frame with sloped top tube& kinda short headtube..

 

I'd pick the 57cm one if I were you

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
0 likes

I'm 5ft 11, i ride a 62cm traditional diamond frame amongst others, my carbon bikes are a 60cm and a 61cm but my commuter/utility ride is a 55cm flat bar but with a long stem with an acute angle, unless you're after a really aero/low down position go with the larger frame.

As the old saying goes, you can make a small bike fit by adding overtly long controls, stems with an upangle like an erect penis and a shit ton of spacers, have half a mile of seatpost sticking out and look like you're riding a kiddies bike but at least it'll work...lol

Avatar
huntswheelers | 6 years ago
0 likes

Tricky one.... but as an example.... I have a customer who is 6'3 and has a similar sceanrio..... he fits a 57 & a 60 cm frame...but not sure which one.... so... 

I'm going to run him out on the road on Tuesday for a 13 mile loop ride.... and swap bikes as many times as we needs....so he can ride both.... then choose the size he prefers.....

but as the old saying goes.... you can make a small bike bigger...but not a large bike smaller...  

For this chap, who even fits a 54 frame with a 120mm stem... I think the 57 will do it for him....

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