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Need advice: about frame size in first road bike
Dear all,
I'm opening in touch because I'm unsure which frame size I should get on my first road bike. A bit about me first: I currently commute to work on a Ridgeback hybrid (which I measured it yesterday and it's a 53 cm). I ride 38 km each day and I'm really starting to get the cycling bug so I'd like to upgrade my bike to a road one. Now the problem I've got is that I'm between two 'recommended' frame sizes: 51 cm and 53 cm. I'm 172 cm tall (just a tad over 5 ft 7 in) and inseam leg of around 81 cm (31 inch). I test rode the 53 cm one yesterday and it was alright, however, I'm unsure if I'm stretching too much because I'm not used to a road bike position. I will be testing the 51 cm in a couple days but I feel like I'm probably going to be unsure on which one to get. Lastly, the bike will be used mostly for commuting (when dry; I'll keep my hybrid for wet days)) and training but would like to take part in some amateur cycling events in the future (Ride London, etc.) plus joining the local club.
I would like to read some advice from someone who has been in a similar situation before and what tips they might have for me please!
Thanks and looking forward to your replies.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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12 comments
Hey xade43. I'm in the process of buying an Orbea Orca Aero M30 which has a very similar frame geometry as the one you bought. We both are the exact same height and I was wondering how the 51 frame ended up working for you, or if you ever think the 53 would have been a better fit. What stem did you end up using? Thanks!
Hey! I'm very happy with the side I picked. I did have some lower back pain during the first, longer rides but I think that was because I was not used to a road position. These are no longer a problem. Moreover, I also got a Norco adventure bike that has a longer reach and I find the Orca more comfortable, and enjoy the position more, especially when riding fast. I do have a bit of toe overlap, maybe 2cm max, but it's never been an issue. Hope that helps and let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
Thanks xade43! What's your inseam/leg length if you don't mind me asking?
Thank you all for your extremely useful (and educated) comments. They are much appreciateed.
A bit of an update from my side: I've carefully checked all the measurements provided by Orbea on the Orca's M30 geometry and there isn't a huge difference between both. After test riding the 53 again I reached the conclusion that although I'm comfortable, it's reaching my stretching limit. As such, I've ordered the 51 and will stick to that one. It comes with a 100 mm stem so if it won't be too bad should I want to swap it for a 110 mm or even 120 mm. Moreover, the headset comes with 3 spacers which raise the handlebars' height, hopefully helping me to start getting used to the road bike position. On top of that, I'm not a big guy so a smaller frame (even if it's marginally smaller) will definitely be a plus when handling the bike. The last test will be a toe overlap, to check it's not too bad!
Again, I'm really grateful about all the comments, they're really helpful and I hope this thread also helps other people!
P.S.: I will post pictures once I finally get the bike!
I think you have made the right choice. I'm a teeny bit taller than you and after looking at the geometry table I would have ordered the 51cm model. My 51cm bike (a 2010 Kinesis Racelight T2) has a head tube 35mm shorter than that on the M30, so I don't think you need to be concerned about the stem height/length - you can always flip the 100mm stem or get a longer one, or both.
The bike looks a very nice one as your first. Enjoy!
But to throw a spanner in the works, if it's racier there's a chance the front will be lower. Can't find the geometry of the frames but if there's a difference in the stack height it is likely the medium may be a bit taller in the front so you'd be less low / stretched. Perhaps a medium with a shorter stem would be a good option.
Where are you thinking of purchasing, somewhere like Evans will get both in and let you test them, also they have a 30 day swap out (as do some other places). £1500 is a fair investment and even though you can adjust and both will probably be fine, you don't want to be looking at it 6 months down the line wishing you'd gone for the other...
Thank you all for your comments, they're really appreciated!
I understand that the most important position will be on the hoods and tops. If this is the case, it looks like the most comfortable one will be a smaller size since I won't be stretching as much.
However, this leaves me with one last question: how do I know if a frame is too small for me? are there any giveaways other than feel? Lastly, I forgot to mention that the bike in question is an Orbea Orca M30 (which Orbea says it's got a racier geometry than their Avant models). In addition to this, when using Orbea's size guide they suggest getting a 51 cm, however just adding 1 cm to my inseam suggests a 53 cm which leaves me thinking that I'm bang on the middle!
When I step over a bike that's too small I feel bunched up and cramped, like I'm perched on top of it rather than sitting into it. Too big (long) and I'll feel unstable and stretched. Interestingly for me I feel it most through my hands - both extremes result in too much pressure on my wrists. I think this is because I'm either not supporting my weight using my core (short frame) or over-stretching beyond the point my core can support me (too long).
Take a look at the video on this page - it will give you an idea on how body proportions can affect ride position and comfort https://fairlightcycles.com/why-fairlight/fit-function-form/?v=79cba1185463
As you've never ridden a road bike it will take a while to get used to the position but your comfort can be affected by very small changes. For example, I had lower back pain which was resolved entirely by just switching from a 100mm stem to a 110mm one. I was getting crippling spasms after 10 mile rides before, two weeks later with Ride London under my belt and I had zero issues on the 46 mile route.
Just checking - have you measured your inseam accurately? Must be done barefoot and it will be longer than your trouser inside leg - often up to a couple of inches longer.
Your leg length mostly defines your saddle height and your body length defines the distance (reach) from tip of saddle to centre of bars. There's no hard and fast rule for reach as it will depend on flexibility and body shape. Good thing is that you've got plenty of adjustment available through different stem lengths and rises. Whilst stem length can affect handling at extremes you'll be fine +/- 20mm from whatever stock stem the bike is supplied with. Cheap enough to experiment with, a decent LBS might even swap a stem for you for little or no cost.
While your LBS should be able to help you on this, good 'bike fit' is quite a dark art! I'm a 'halfway house' size, too; generally I can fit a 53 or 55cm frame. Stack and reach are important - but so too is the relationship between your inseam and torso lengths; this is why women-specific bikes tend to have shorter top tubes to allow for their generally shorter torsos. If you want to look at the nitty gritty, then you can also start bringing things like foot, femur and arm length into the equation...
I came across this YT video recently which, I think, may help you draw some conclusions in which way to finally fall: https://youtu.be/3BoRGbutUec
HTH...
A couple of other factors to consider:
Unless you're a hardened racer you'll spend most of your time on the tops (the top of the bars) or the hoods (the brake hoods where it's easy to change gears). If you are sprinting or descending quickly you may be on the drops (the lowest bit of the bars) but I would say on average I use them around 10-15% of my riding time. Therefore, measure your comfort based on the tops and hoods - the drops will be uncomfortable and you will train your body to get used to these.
There is adjustment to be had. The stack and stem are important here, spacers can move the bars up or down the stack a little (either down on your medium if the front is too high or up on the small if too low). The stem can also be angled (up) or straight and long or short which can give you a few inches of adjustment and you can move the seat a little forwards or backwards.
A bike shop should help you make these adjustments and you'll often find just a little can make a lot of difference.
Hi xade43 and welcome,
There's no simple right or wrong answer here I'm afraid.
1) You'll be a small or a medium in most bikes. I'm just over five and half foot and depending on the bike or the person selling me the bike I'm a small or a medium also. I can fit both and opt for a smaller frame as I like a racier postion. Frankly it's far more complicated than your height, but as long as you're averagely proportioned it's a good starting point.
2) You probably should 'focus' on a road bike for 'riding not racing' which means that you'll be in a slightly more stable position and your body won't be bent over quite as far as it would be on a pure race bike. (To the untrained eye, both a race and ride bike look the same, the difference is only usually a few degrees angle of this frame tube or that). Bear this in mind when you're on the hunt. All decent bike brands sell both types.
3) On your hybrid bike you're pretty much in a sit up and beg position (think dutch style bikes). Any bike at your local club will feel like an alien position to you if you were to ride one.
4) All you should do is SET A BUDGET (more really is better in the short, medium and long term). Go and sit on some bikes in your local shop. Visit more than one shop, to get more than one person's opinion on sizing. Most local bike shops let you have a test ride to see what you think before buying.
What bike is it?