Fat Boy

Duh, I could have read farther down. Felt has a pretty tight head tube on their F series bikes and there's always the custom route like CDR. You guys get good deals through Specialized, though, right?

Beaker

Another 5'9" guy with a 54 frame (roubaix)

pigmode

- 5'-10"
- 54 frame
- one 5mm spacer
- 8mm cone spacer
- 140mm IS HT
- 130mm stem

save10

5'9" - 55.5 TT/100mm stem. would be interested in a 53-54TT/110-120 stem

garethzbarker

5'8 and ride a 54 roubaix. 100mm stem but I want to switch it out to 120.
Think i would have liked a 52 at first but grew accustomed to 54. Still I'd consider a 52 more next time.

W Cole

I'm 5'10" with a 34" cycling inseam (long legs). I ride a 56cm Tarmac and have exactly 9cm of saddle to bar drop (measured from top of saddle to top of bars) with all spacers in tact and the stem at -6*.

With a 32" inseam I would go with the 54.

a_phat_beat

i'm 5'9 and a half with a 31.5 inseam.

i ride a 55.5tt, 90mm stem and short reach bars (shimano 10s)
i ride a 54.5tt, 90mm stem and standard reach bars. (campy circa 2006 10s)
i ride a 55tt commuter with a 90mm stem and mustache bars.

all have relatively short headtube lengths and my saddle to bar drop is about 4-5 cm.

they all fit me well. the 54.5 actually fits the best.

i mention the groupsets because a lot of my position on the hoods is also dependent on the shape and length of the hoods themselves. the shimanos extend my reach just a touch, whereas the campy shortens it just a touch.

Jed19

This, exactly is my measurement. I ride a 55cm 2007 Lemond Buenos Aires. The Lemond replaced a 54cm CAAD8 that had unbelievable saddle to handlebar drop and also rattled the s**t out of my bones. I had tried a 56cm CAAD8, but the toptube wasjust too long, and I did not want a 80mm stem, which could have made it work.

I am very very glad to be rid of the bone rattler. Heck of a fast bike though.

Specialized2k10

i feel at home in this thread. Better than reading that thread about that 6'8" guy looking for a bike.

Road Fan

I'm 5'6" and my cycling inseam is 32", I'm riding 51 cm to 55 cm, with 54 being nearly my favorite in a traditional frame. So 54 for a 5'9" person is ok, if the top tube fits.

I tend to like bigger frames since I like the bars just a bit below teh saddle.

echappist

5'8.5". i ride a frame with a TT of 54.5 with a 110mm -73 stem. my next bike will have a shorter TT (say 53) and a longer stem.


you know, most titanium bikes have very short head tubes. a merlin extralight with 54.5 TT has a HT of 11cm

bavarian3

This is what I did. Ran a 54, but the reach was a bit much. Moved to a 52cm and it was much better.

Miller2

I'm a little over 5'9 and I ride a 54 C'Dale. My inseam is about 32" and I run a 100mm stem.

bj.bonnette

Im 5'10 last bike was 56, was stretched out, new bike is 54, perfect.

topflightpro

I'm 5'10" and I ride a 56 Cannondale or 56 Specialized. My wife is 5'9". She rides a 54 Roubaix. I don't know the exactly inseams, but I have very long legs/ short torso, while my wife is the opposite.

I can adjust the fit on her bike and ride it fine. She, however, cannot ride my bikes.

charliekeri

It's all about headtube and top tube. I am the exact size and I've been on 53, 54, 55. The 53 HT length killed me. Some 55 top tube length killed me. Start with the right comfortable top tube length and headtube length (that is good for your flexibilty). From there you can play with stem length and stem angle, bar reach etc.

If the TT or HT is too short or long to begin with you are dead in the water from the start. The amount of tweaking (stem purchasing, handlebar purchasing swapping, etc.) will drive you crazy

TnDiamondback

5'11", 32" inseam, 54cm FELT with a 100mm stem, been on it for 4 years

OldmanTN

Five nine and a half inch---Cervelo 54 or 56 with short stem, short legs inseam pants not bike 31

mtalinm

5'8.5" with a 28.5" inseam on a 54cm. it fits though a 52 might be a better fit for me.

ultraman6970

Frames nowadays fit pretty big but as many people say the important number in there is the top tube length and if the bike has slope we are talking about virtual top tube length. Many of the 54s frames moving around are between 54.5 and 55.5 cms in length, so technically it is like a 55 in old steel school so the 54 is about right. Always go for the TT now, what the brand calls to a size is worthless now a days.

5,10 30ish inseam, medium bmc 55 , large kuota 55.5

crhilton

+1

I'm 5'9" and ride a 54 in a modern compact geometry road bike. I have short legs and a long torso, so I need the 54 to not feel cramped. I'm sure that personal preference matters too. Some guys like a really small bike. I don't.

RoboCheme

I'm 5'9.5" and I ride a Cervelo RS with a 80 mm stem. And, no, it's not twitchy.

echappist

your longer wheel base might have something to do with that

normandy83

I am 5'9" and ride a 54 Specialized Roubaix. I removed the 110 stem and put on a 100 and that works great for me.

Fat Boy

Didn't we already talk about the 110mm headtube on your bike or do you just not believe me? You have to add the headset stack dimension in as well, which is another 34mm. The total head tube length on your bike is about 145mm, which is on par with about everyone else. You don't have to believe me, grab a tape measure for yourself. Also, I'm willing to bet your -73 degree stem is actually a -17. Your front end is low, for sure, but let's keep things in perspective.