chil2makefun

Hey all,

Prety simple question. I'm getting a new frame and while looking at the geometry chart, I'd need the biggest size but I'm only 1m75 or 5'9".
So are these sizes fairly small compared to other brands or am I missing something?

Thanks

chil2makefun

Nobody?

CliffordK

I think there has been a shift to smaller frames in recent years, especially in "performance" bikes.

At 5'10, I ride a 60cm frame, but that seems to be from a bygone era. Perhaps the frame was a bit too large for me when I bought it, and I never completely grew into the bike, but it has always been a great ride.

So, people up to about 6' are commonly choosing the 52 to 56cm frames.

I'm not quite sure what those people over 6'6 do, or for that matter, those under 4'6. A lot is about mass marketting, and those that fall outside of the norm are just ignored.

With a long uncut steer tube, plus a multitude of stems, there is a lot of adjustment in bar height. Likewise, strong tall seatposts have been made. Some of those frames will have a maximum seatpost insertion. 6 to 8"?

oldbobcat

Top tubes got longer in the '90s, so most of us responded by sizing down a couple centimeters. At 5'9", you're right in the pocket of Medium, which means somewhere in the 53-55 cm range for a road bike.

gsa103

The sizing looks normal, they just don't have any 58+/XL sizes like most of the major manufacturers. Probably because they're primarily Taiwan/China, so the average customer is smaller. The 56 size, is about typical geometry for the other manufacturers, just the major brands usually sell a 58 and 60 size.

Their sizing is perfectly normal, they just don't sell bikes appropriate for >6' tall riders. I'm 6'0" and my bike is similar sizing to the 56 shown here, so they aren't comically small.

FBinNY 

Historically there were serious limits on seat post extension above the top tube, so frames needed to be taller. However with the advent of mtn bikes, and their combination of smaller sloping top tube frames combined with seat posts as long as 400mm, that need changed. Up angle stems used with threadless headset systems also factor in frames being functionally taller than their seat tube length might indicate.

However, there's a limit to stem height on a shorter horizontal top tube frame, and a non-racing taller rider using a long post may be very disappointed in the maximum bar height.

So, what you see is a combination of changes in design and also reflects some limited purpose.

The OP needs to consider what he's looking for in this bike and how high he might want his handlebars and decide if this will met his needs. If not, he should look at either a taller or sloping top tube frame.

chil2makefun

That's what I thought but I figured that there was a chance I was missing something because I need their biggest size.

dksix

Just be glad you need a size that virtually every frame will be available in your size. I finally gave up finding one of the China framesets in my size in a relaxed/endurance geometry.

FBinNY 

Just because it's their biggest size doesn't mean it'll fit you properly. Saddle height is easy with a long post, but top tube length and maximum stem height may be inadequate for you. IMO unless you're a serious rider who prefers low handlebars 3-4 inches below the top of he saddle, you may not be happy at all.

NormanF

I'm 5'7" and I ride a 54-55 cm which is a M bike.

Sizing is spot-on for smaller guys which is why M bikes tend to be widespread in Asia.

chil2makefun

As a mather of fact, my current set-up has a little over 3.5 inches of drop. I only came to the conclusion that I'd need their biggest size after I compared the geometry with my current set-up in the stack and reach calculator.