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Greg Potts.
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July 27, 2013 at 9:34 pm #19471
Crell
Hello all, I’ve been riding my Wilier Mortirolo since 2008 and fancy a bit of an upgrade.
I’ve been looking at various bikes, but there are some good deals around on the two Cannondales above. I’m 5′ 10″ and do more club rides and distance rather than racing. My question is whether I would be better with the 54 or 56 frames on either bike?
My Wilier is a 54 and it feels OK to me, though maybe a little cramped on the drops.
Any owners out there with some real world comparisons?
Thanks,
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I’ve got a ‘normal’
I’ve got a ‘normal’ torso/arms and *really* short legs. I have a 52cm SuperSix and a 54cm Synapse – which sort of fits Hector’s post.spongebob
Comfort: Synapse 56cm
More
Comfort: Synapse 56cmMore racy: Supersix 54cm (less head tube length)
Hector Ch
And he says:
“My question is
And he says:“My question is whether I would be better with the 54 or 56 frames on either bike?
My Wilier is a 54 and it feels OK to me, though maybe a little cramped on the drops.”
So, is it better that he knows his frame measurement requirements, or that he make an expensive guess between the Cannondale sizes between the two frame types based on someone else’s opinion ?
If you look at the Geo of the bikes he’s considering, you might see there is a difference in the frame size “names” and their actual size.
I have to disagree with you.
I have to disagree with you. Frame size is the most important aspect of bike fit. A buyer should know what his optimum frame measurements are (not “size name” like 54, 55, L or XL etc) before buying any bicycle/frame, as the geometry of the “size names” can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer.If you don’t believe me, research Lemond bicycle geometry, where it’s different and why. Or simply compare geometries between the major frame makers. I think you’ll see they can vary greatly.
Not to mention some unscrupulous LBSes will fork off what they have in stock, even if it’s too big or too small for the buyer, simply to liquidate stock ?
Go armed with info on what you need and don’t rely on what someone thinks you need or wants to sell you.
Yes, but you are
Yes, but you are generalising, he has specified the frames he is looking at.Yes, but he is talking about
Yes, but he is talking about frame size and not the full fit of the bike. He is not asking how many cm’s of fore his saddle should have and what measurement from the bb to the saddle, he just wants to know which size frame to buy đŸ™‚notfastenough wrote:Not at
notfastenough wrote:Not at all, I’d quite happily call out a long-time member for being uppity to a new user. If you disagree with my waffle, that’s fine.Don’t get me wrong, I agree with everything but 1 sentence in the 2nd paragraph đŸ™‚ Or maybe I read it the wrong way…
Everything else you wrote is dead-on in my opinion. Bike fit can easily be attained through taking measurement and plugging in some variables, resulting in a “you need about this size frame” response. Setups should then be modified (if necessary) to take into account any problems or preferences the rider has. That’s why I recommended the Size My Bike Lite app, it will do this for you, for free (ok, you have to have an iPhone or Android phone).
Relying on someone else over the internet to tell you what you need based on their being slightly the same size (and could be of a totally different morphology) is a bit daft.
Cheers,
HectorIf it helps I ride a 54cm
If it helps I ride a 54cm caad10, 5’11, 83cm inseam.130mm stem
20mm offset layback seatpostFits like a glove, if I were to buy the 56cm frame I would just purchase a shorter stem or get a straight up seatpost.
Either bike could be made to fit, 54cm will be lighter if that helps make a decision.
notfastenough
Not at all, I’d quite happily
Not at all, I’d quite happily call out a long-time member for being uppity to a new user. If you disagree with my waffle, that’s fine.notfastenough: Can’t say I
notfastenough: Can’t say I agree 100% with your second paragraph, it doesn’t seem sarcastic, it seems “cliquey” in itself as in “old guard” vs “new guard”. In regard to the not so good advice; welcome to the internet… An unfortunate drawback.I do agree with the professional fit. If you can cough up for it make sure you find a shop with a good reputation, otherwise it’s a crap shoot with LBSes & bike fitters (read Steve Hoggs comments about the basket case setups he inherits from some profession fitters).
Or, if you have the means, this system is supposed to be halfway decent: https://www.retul.com/find-a-fitter/#/United%20Kingdom
Hi, I’m new here. I’d like
Hi, I’m new here. I’d like some advice, but if it’s not what I want to hear, then please don’t post again. I’d much rather hear from people who may or may not be a similar height, and may be completely different in torso/limb length/flexibility/injuries/riding styles etc, to see what they bought, even though none of us has any idea what the other looks like.Sorry if this seems overly sarcastic, but a long-time forum member offered decent advice, which IS kinda the purpose of forums like this. Being psychic with regarding to your physique, well, that isn’t. We aren’t cliquey here, it’s very friendly and helpful, but we can only work with what we’ve got.
It’s good that you don’t want to waste a shop’s time when you know you’re not going to buy from them, perhaps a trip out for a third party bike fitting is in order? That way you pay for the service and not feel guilty. You could even be up front with the shop and offer them a few quid or a tray of nice doughnuts or something for their time.
If this really isn’t an option, perhaps join a local club where you can ask the opinion of someone who can see what you look like on a bike? Alternatively, compare the geometry charts of the mortirolo and the Cannondales to work out what your position would be on each. (I’m assuming you’re comfortable on the Mortirolo – if that isn’t the case then all bets are off I’m afraid) I find the easiest way to do this is using Microsoft Visio to plot the angles and tube lengths, overlaying the different frames to give you an at-a-glance view. If you can obtain stack and reach figures for each then the hard work’s done for you anyway. Best of luck with it.
I would recommend you get the
I would recommend you get the Size My Bike Lite app (http://www.sizemybike.com). The “lite” one is free on Apple App store (not sure about Android..).After inputting your measurements (which you should do with a tape measure etc directly into the app, don’t approximate what you think you measure!) you can get an idea of what the ideal geometry is for you (note the “get an idea” as your personal preferences may vary slightly, but you can use saddle setback and stem length to modify your position after you have your ideal frame size. ie: my saddle is farther forward and my stem shorter because it’s how I’m more comfortable).
Then, compare your “ideal” geometry to what the manufacturers offer. Most publish their geometry on their site for all to see.
For instance, on a BMC I’m a 58cm, but on a Ridley I’m a 57cm. Had I ordered a 58cm Ridley, I’d be buggered with a frame that’s too big…
lc1981
Also important to note that a
Also important to note that a 54cm Wilier might not be the same size as a 54cm Cannondale. You’d have to compare the geometry charts. I seem to remember reading when I was looking into it that Cannondales tend to be a bit bigger for any given frame size than most brands.Simon E, I understand that
Simon E, I understand that you’re keen I visit a shop and try the bikes for size. Note the words “first step” in my prior post. Having said that, I might just gamble it… maybe the 56 đŸ‘¿ (only joking) . I’ll be mail ordering the bike anyway as that’s the only way I can get the deal, so don’t really want to waste any local shops time. Please, no more on the “visit a shop” angle, but again if there are any synapse or Super Six owners who were teetering between the 54 or 56 I’d be interested to hear your stories (however subjective and pointless others might think them).IC1981 – With your proportions I’d have thought you’d have gone up to the 58 and dropped the stem to a 90 or 80 – exactly what you didn’t like. I tend to also prefer a smaller frame on any bike I have (mostly mountain and BMX, though it would appear I followed the same trait on the Wilier). Interesting, I’m mentally swinging to the 54.
I’m 6’1″ and most sizing
I’m 6’1″ and most sizing guides suggested I should be on a 58cm, but I have relatively long legs and short arms, so I went for a 56cm SuperSix. I’ve ended up with a 130mm stem on it after a proper bike fit (perhaps my arms are longer than I thought), but I much prefer that to a larger frame with a short stem. I would discourage you from thinking that it’s all about height – different people of the same height might need different frame sizes due to having different proportions. -
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