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Is this bike going to be too big?

by CloudDog
Thu, Oct 31, 2013 08:41
8

Hi
I'm not a real total maniac but I quite like cycling and the idea of a road bike
If like to non competitively do an Olympic tri next October

I currently have a specialised vita sport, medium frame says to fit 161-168cm
The bike I'm looking at is a cannondale road bike frame size 54cm
To fit 171 -178

I'm 5'4" is the 3 cm going to make a lot of difference in recommended height ?
It's not like I will spend a huge amount of time on the bike as I commute but I've heard great things about this bike and I really like the look of it

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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8 comments

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dave atkinson | 11 years ago
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if you're going to use it for triathlon, and you'll be fitting tri bars, then you'll probably want to err on the small size for the bike, rather than big. if you're too stretched out you're unlikely to be able to hold the tuck position for long.

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jason.timothy.jones | 11 years ago
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I would also say go and sit on it in a shop, as has already been said, if its measured on the TT, reach is going to be a problem, but I have a old Giant OCR thats a "large" frame, that has a TT the same length as most other "medium"... so essentially, it is all about the bike.

Something else to consider, if your main use will be for a tri, and your going to use tri bars, see if they will put a set on to get an idea of the feel of the fit, the reason I say this is I have a Triban that is really comfortable with the standard drops, but the geometry is more Sportive than race, so when I put my skis on it is not comfortable at all, a tend to spend more time on the drops.

Finally, im not to sure if others agree, but I have always been told a smaller frame is better than a larger one if your stuck in the middle...as opposed to the 1970's where you would hardly see more than 2 inches of a seat post

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ped replied to jason.timothy.jones | 11 years ago
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jason.timothy.jones wrote:

im not to sure if others agree, but I have always been told a smaller frame is better than a larger one if your stuck in the middle...as opposed to the 1970's where you would hardly see more than 2 inches of a seat post

Being long of body/short of leg, I'm going to disagree 3

If in the middle I have to go up a size to keep reach correct. Compact frames may help to mask the 'big frame, low saddle' aesthetic, but on a more standard/classic geometry I'm not far off the old "fistful of seatpost" adage.

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sonicsol | 11 years ago
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I dare suggest that a 54 cm top tube is too big for your height, assuming that it's the TT they go by, unless you have an exceptionally long torso.
I suggest that you visit your local bike shop and get a bike from there, including the fitting

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ped | 11 years ago
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On 'paper' I'd say that would be way too big for you, but there's more to sizing than a straight body height Y = frame size X. For what it's worth, the 'dale at that size is more likely to fit if you're long-bodied rather than long-legged.

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pjay | 11 years ago
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Sounds too big to me. I'm 5'8" and ride a 54 cm frame. Fit is pretty crucial on a road bike.

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Al__S | 11 years ago
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you're towards the bottom end of the Vita's size range. A bike desaigned to fit, at the smallest, someone 8cm taller than you (to save anyone else the maths, 5'4" is 1.63m) will be too large.

You're the same height as Laura Trott. Her Colnago road race bike is on eBay right now. I'm not saying buy that, but her frame size is quoted as a 42.

Look at a smaller frame than the Cannondale you're looking at it. it is far too big for you.

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smudge replied to Al__S | 11 years ago
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As a bike fitter in a performance store i agree with AL__s.

Most bike sizing that is based on height is inconclusive. I size people all the time based on inside leg and torso measurements. The first piece of advice i always give is check your inside leg measurement against the standover height ogf the bike you wish to purchase. If there is not adequate clearance of at least 30mm/1" approx then your "soft tissue" area is not going to thank you when you step off suddenly.

My advice find a bike shop that has a reputable sizing philosophy, and trained bike fitters.

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