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Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use. Subscribe Thread Tools Search this Thread 01-04-16, 09:23 PM #1 learning2ride How do you know if your bike is too big? Member I'm 5'9.7 and have longer legs than my torso. My 1st bike I bought from a friend and it was a 56', my 2nd bike was a 56', and now I bought a cannondale evo super six in a '56, however reading the sizing charts it appears maybe I should've looked at a '54. Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 30 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 8 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts My bike feels fine to me. I don't have the time in saddle or experience to know if a bike is too big/small. thoughts? Reply Advertisement 01-04-16, 09:27 PM #2 3alarmer . ...if it slams your nuts on the dismount, it's too big. __________________ Friendship is Magic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 22,432 Bikes: old ones Mentioned: 303 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 25607 Post(s) Likes: 4,540 Liked 9,541 Times in 6,639 Posts Reply 01-04-16, 09:28 PM #3 learning2ride that isn't a problem. lol Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 30 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 8 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reply 01-04-16, 09:30 PM #4 timmbo You are probably fine with a 54 or a 56. Most people really have two sizes that can work. You may be on the shorter side by a hair for the 56, but that's very common.....if it feels great, chances are is a good fit. You can always get fitted professionally. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 256 Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 6.9ssl (brand new 12/30/15) Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reply 01-04-16, 10:04 PM #5 rms13 Quote: Senior Member Originally Posted by timmbo You are probably fine with a 54 or a 56. Most people really have two sizes that can work. You may be on the shorter side by a hair for the 56, but that's very common.....if it feels great, chances are is a good fit. You can always get fitted professionally. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,517 Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 276 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts +1 I'm about an inch taller and had a CAAD9 that was 54 and fit me great. I currently ride a 54 with similar geometry. But I could fit a 56. A lot is personal preference and the fact that people who are the same height don't necessarily have the same proportions. I know people shorter than OP who prefer a 56. And most people can make two sizes fit about the same. Reply 01-05-16, 03:48 AM #6 rpenmanparker I read the question as not could the bike be POSSIBLY the right size, but rather how can OP tell if it is or isn't. Some folks above are advising OP that he is likely okay. But his question was how can he know for himself. To answer OP's question, check for the tell-tale signs. Do you need a stupid short stem, like 80 mm or less? Are you showing hardly any seat post even though the frame is compact? Would you like your bar tops to be lower, but already have the stem flipped down without any spacers? If the answer to any or all of these questions is YES, then perhaps the frame is too big for him. If the answers to more than one of these questions is YES, then I would be pretty sure the frame is too big. __________________ Robert Senior Member Quote: Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 28,682 Originally Posted by LAJ No matter where I go, here I am... Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build Mentioned: 107 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s) Quoted: 6556 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 58 Times in 36 Posts Reply Advertisement 01-05-16, 06:02 AM #7 bruce19 FWIW I rode a 54 for years and it felt really good. Then I got a Masi as a birthday gift and it is a 58. After a bit of adjustment I was comfortable and efficient on it. A couple years ago I got a killer deal on a steel Guru that is a 55 and it feels "just right." Point is there is a range of sizes most of us can ride well. I have lost 1 1/2-2 inches in height thanks to age and injury and am now down to 5'9" with a 32" inseam. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT Posts: 8,449 Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 1717 Post(s) Likes: 817 Liked 1,267 Times in 731 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 06:18 AM #8 indyfabz ****. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 38,131 Mentioned: 209 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s) Quoted: 17762 Post(s) Likes: 19,621 Liked 14,114 Times in 6,699 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 06:41 AM #9 dvdslw Besides stand over height, seat post height is usually where I look when sizing a new bike. I shoot for the post to be 3/4 of the way out of the frame, if your seat post is more than half way down then its probably too big. That being said, I ride a 60cm frame but could make a 58cm work easily in a pinch with the post all the way up and possibly a longer stem. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Apopka, Florida Posts: 1,476 Bikes: Santa Cruz Stigmata Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 202 Post(s) Likes: 76 Liked 30 Times in 20 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 06:47 AM #10 bres dad If you can, take it to your LBS for a proper fit & measurement. Full Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 353 Bikes: '84 Paramount, '89 Schwinn 754, '13 Specialized RockHopper, Trek Domane 4.3 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 3 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 07:34 AM #11 thump55 I am exactly the same height as you. I got 99 problems.... I ride a 55 and it is perfectly fine, but leaning towards the big side. A 56 would really be pushing it to the big side...54 would be more perfecter. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours? Posts: 2,087 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 2 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 07:39 AM #12 thin_concrete I'm 5'8" and was previously on a 58, and I experienced tremendous upper back pain after rides. I moved to a 53 and am much more comfortable. Achtung! Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: New England Posts: 1,673 Bikes: 60.1, Marvel Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 515 Post(s) Likes: 1,573 Liked 268 Times in 161 Posts Reply Advertisement 01-05-16, 07:54 AM #13 a77impala I rode 58s until I test rode my LeMond Versailles, it's a 53, what an eye opener. I bought it and have sold the 58cm bikes, including a LeMond Zurich. Now the largest frame I ride is a 56, my '87 Trek 560. It's easier to adapt a small frame to fit than a large frame. IMHO. a77impala Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central South Dakota Posts: 1,521 Bikes: 04=LeMond Arravee, 08 LeMond Versailles, 92 Trek 970 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 28 Post(s) Likes: 5 Liked 13 Times in 8 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 08:15 AM #14 wphamilton Mostly a matter of the position you want. Larger frame, more relaxed and upright. More aggressive, leaning down low riding fast, smaller frame. So it's not only subjective but depends on how we want to ride, and in some cases how well we're capable of riding that way. Senior Member My opinion only. You'd get a completely different answer from fitters and in the bike fit subforum, but they're wrong Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 15,280 Bikes: Nashbar Road Mentioned: 71 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 2934 Post(s) Likes: 112 Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 08:40 AM #15 spdracr39 If it feels fine ignore the charts. They are for baseline only. If you start to experience a new pain or discomfort then there are many adjustments that will correct the fit on most bikes one size above and below the ideal size. Nuts or no that top tube is uncomfortable if you inadvertently make contact. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Cabot, Arkansas Posts: 1,538 Bikes: Lynskey Twisted Helix Di2 Ti, 1987 Orbea steel single speed/fixie, Orbea Avant M30, Trek Fuel EX9.8 29, Trek Madone 5 series, Specialized Epic Carbon Comp 29er, Trek 7.1F Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 12 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post Reply 01-05-16, 09:44 AM #16 PeregrineA1 I'm guessing that he is a she, or had testicular cancer. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cowan Heights, CA Posts: 975 Quote: Originally Posted by learning2ride that isn't a problem. lol Bikes: Wizard, Eisentraut, Paramount, Litton, Turner, Surley, Trek, Kona, Landshark, Hujsak, Masi, Tesch, Holland, Retrotec, Spectrum Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 37 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 10:42 AM #17 Shuffleman Quote: Senior Member Originally Posted by spdracr39 If it feels fine ignore the charts. They are for baseline only. If you start to experience a new pain or discomfort then there are many adjustments that will correct the fit on most bikes one size above and below the ideal size. Nuts or no that top tube is uncomfortable if you inadvertently make contact. I have to agree with this advice. You usually know when a bike is too big or too small. I used to like my mtb on the small end when I was in my 20's. That same bike is way too small for me now though. I have stayed in good shape but for some reason the small bike no longer appeals to me. My road bikes, I have always been more comfortable on the larger side of the scale. I am 6'02 and ride a 59 Sloping. I used to ride a 61cm. A regular 59cm has always seemed a little small. Either way, charts are not perfect. They are just guides. They are usually pretty accurate within a range. A good fitting will dial in the ultimate comfort. Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,296 Bikes: Colnago CLX,GT Karakoram,Giant Revel, Kona Honk_ Tonk Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 149 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 11:03 AM #18 Erzulis Boat Check your saddle to bar drop. Your bars should be lower than your seat. Le Crocodile Out of shape/overweight/elderly- typically 2 inches +/Medium fitness/comfort- typically 3 to 4 inches Fit cyclist- should be 5 to 8 inches. (I am overweight and slow, so my drop is currently 5 inches) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Barbara Calif. Posts: 1,823 Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 344 Post(s) Likes: 1,384 Liked 654 Times in 283 Posts On a non compact frame, your seatpost will typically protrude 5.5 to 6 inches. On a compact, typically around 9 inches +/- (this is from clamp to seat rails). Every bike is different, but these are basic guidelines that would indicate at least the start of a correct fit. If you are handicapped or very slow, then bars level or even higher than the seat are deemed acceptable. Reply Advertisement 01-05-16, 01:47 PM #19 3alarmer ... ...I have to interject that I am very hurt by someone calling me handicapped or very slow. What ever happened to charity and kindness ? __________________ Friendship is Magic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 22,432 Bikes: old ones Mentioned: 303 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 25607 Post(s) Likes: 4,540 Liked 9,541 Times in 6,639 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 01:56 PM #20 PaulRivers Quote: Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 6,432 Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 539 Post(s) Likes: 201 Liked 43 Times in 37 Posts Originally Posted by Erzulis Boat Check your saddle to bar drop. Your bars should be lower than your seat. Out of shape/overweight/elderly- typically 2 inches +/Medium fitness/comfort- typically 3 to 4 inches Fit cyclist- should be 5 to 8 inches. (I am overweight and slow, so my drop is currently 5 inches) On a non compact frame, your seatpost will typically protrude 5.5 to 6 inches. On a compact, typically around 9 inches +/- (this is from clamp to seat rails). Every bike is different, but these are basic guidelines that would indicate at least the start of a correct fit. If you are handicapped or very slow, then bars level or even higher than the seat are deemed acceptable. That is definitely a matter of opinion. Having no drop - top of handlebars even horizontally with the top of the seat - works very well for most people. 5-8" sounds more like "serious racer" or "serious racer wannabe" (lol) than "fit cyclist". I'd say that if your seat is down as far as it can go in order for you to ride your bike comfortably then the bike is to big. Reply 01-05-16, 02:07 PM #21 wphamilton Quote: Senior Member Originally Posted by 3alarmer ... ...I have to interject that I am very hurt by someone calling me handicapped or very slow. What ever happened to charity and kindness ? Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 15,280 I think that's mostly a matter of fashion, and of course fashion knows no kindness ... the bike with high handlebars makes the rider slower, not the other way around. Bikes: Nashbar Road Mentioned: 71 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 2934 Post(s) Likes: 112 Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts Reply 01-05-16, 03:14 PM #22 Jed19 Quote: Senior Member Originally Posted by learning2ride I'm 5'9.7 and have longer legs than my torso. My 1st bike I bought from a friend and it was a 56', my 2nd bike was a 56', and now I bought a cannondale evo super six in a '56, however reading the sizing charts it appears maybe I should've looked at a '54. Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4,224 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts My bike feels fine to me. I don't have the time in saddle or experience to know if a bike is too big/small. thoughts? I am exactly 5' 10", so similar to your height. Also, my legs are proportionally longer than my torso. My cycling inseam is exactly 34". I have had quite some experience owning Cannondale road and mountain bikes for a very long time. The Cannondale road geometry is kinda sketchy for men with our torso/leg proportions. I have owned Cannondale road frames in both 54 and 56. In my view, the 54, with a slightly longer stem (say 110mm) can work somewhat reasonably, but you have to watch your handle bar to saddle drop carefully. The 56 also can work, but with a shorter stem (90mm), and the drop differential is actually more decent. So, try both sizes and see which you prefer, but for me the 56 with 90mm stem was actually the better fit because of the lesser drop. To be honest though, there are bikes that have different road geometries than Cannondales that can be better fit for you. The 56 fit I had with my Cannondales was still a "settled for fit." This is why I don't ride Cannondale road frames anymore, although hands down, they were some of the best road frames I owned and rode. Reply 01-05-16, 03:18 PM #23 Jed19 Quote: Senior Member Originally Posted by thump55 I am exactly the same height as you. I ride a 55 and it is perfectly fine, but leaning towards the big side. A 56 would really be pushing it to the big side...54 would be more perfecter. Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4,224 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts It is just not solely about his height. How that height is distributed between his torso and legs is key. Reply 01-05-16, 03:22 PM #24 NormanF I'm 5'7" and I ride a 54. I can also ride a 55. Senior Member You can ride larger as long as you can safely dismount the bike. In my youth, I rode a 60 cm Peugeot Super Vitus 980 with no problems. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,737 Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 147 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts If you can get off and on the bike, any size can work. What you don't want is a bike that is too small! Reply 01-05-16, 03:24 PM #25 NormanF Quote: Senior Member Originally Posted by a77impala I rode 58s until I test rode my LeMond Versailles, it's a 53, what an eye opener. I bought it and have sold the 58cm bikes, including a LeMond Zurich. Now the largest frame I ride is a 56, my '87 Trek 560. It's easier to adapt a small frame to fit than a large frame. IMHO. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,737 Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 147 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts The long top tube of a steel Lemond will have you feeling stretched out even if its your nominal size. Go down a size for a better fit. Reply 01-07-16, 08:37 AM #26 DrRobert Quote: Senior Member Originally Posted by wphamilton Mostly a matter of the position you want. Larger frame, more relaxed and upright. More aggressive, leaning down low riding fast, smaller frame. So it's not only subjective but depends on how we want to ride, and in some cases how well we're capable of riding that way. Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 135 Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 35 Post(s) Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts My opinion only. You'd get a completely different answer from fitters and in the bike fit subforum, but they're wrong Totally agree with this. All depends on what kind of rider you are. Bottom line if you can stand over your bike and it's not hurting on long rides, its probably adjusted right for you. Its very individual. For example, technically my bike is too large for me. I'm a middle aged guy with a not-so-hot back and my legs are short for my height (6'-1"). I'm in it for endurance, not speed. I'm a person who couldn't ride most bikes with the seat higher than handlebars.Yes, the standover is very, well "snug". Effective seat height is lower and handlebar higher giving more upright position which makes bike more comfy for me. My bike (Ridley Fenix) is not sized in cm just "XL". I'm guessing its 60cm. I don't know what seat tube height really means anymore. My advice is if it ain't broke don't fix it. The nuances of bike fit often don't appear till you get 50+ mile rides. Ton's of advice on the topic best talk to knowledgeable person at ALL the LBS's and keep going back to your bike and how it feels. Last edited by DrRobert; 01-07-16 at 08:42 AM. Reply Advertisement Reply Subscribe Related Topics Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Big Block 56/ Mark V 54 sizing? N_BDWY Singlespeed & Fixed Gear 11 04-06-18 08:24 PM Looking for a bike fit (CAAD8) - Measurements inside Metavira Road Cycling 15 02-05-16 09:47 AM 5'6'' on 56cm Cannondale. 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