pkim92

So I am 5'5" and I measured myself to have a 30" inseam, so I decided that the right size for the Kilo TT would be the 47cm, which has a 29" standover height, but I found this video on youtube of a girl who was 5'2" riding a 47cm, and I became unsure of whether the 47cm is the right size for me. Whats going on????

Here's the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7BNMxhwzkY

Scrodzilla

Will you be riding this bike or standing over it while lifting it up and down?

Standover height isn't nearly as important as top tube length.

pkim92

So what size would you recommend? 50cm?

motobeCarnage 

can this be a sticky already?

and like scrod said standover height isn't the only thing you should put into consideration when choosing what bike you ride but if you really want a kilo (I got one too) then look at this chart and then buy one and cross your fingers. Or you can find people locally who have kilos and try them out.

From BikesDirect:

NOTE: Sized center to center, most riders fit a size smaller than they fit in a center to top sized bike
Example - if you ride a 58cm center to top sized bike then you may prefer the 55cm Kilo TT
Please refer to the sizing charts before making your own purchase decision

Sizing: (c-c = center to center seat tube, c-t = center to top, TT = top tube c-c)
44cm (c-c) is 47cm(c-t) with TT of 503mm* and standover of 28.5 inches*
47cm (c-c) is 50cm(c-t) with TT of 513mm and standover of 29 inches
50cm (c-c) is 53cm(c-t) with TT of 523mm and standover of 30.4 inches
53cm (c-c) is 56cm(c-t) with TT of 548mm and standover of 31.5 inches
55cm (c-c) is 58cm(c-t) with TT of 560mm and standover of 32 inches
57cm (c-c) is 60cm(c-t) with TT of 575mm and standover of 33 inches
60cm (c-c) is 63cm(c-t) with TT of 606mm and standover of 34 inches
63cm (c-c) is 66cm(c-t) with TT of 630mm and standover of 35.5 inches
(*estimated measurements of new size)

Most riders fit the size they clear the standover by 1-1.5 inches
The "standover" is the distance from the floor to the upper surface of the top tube that is between ones legs when straddling the bicycle. Most riders want at least 1 to 1.5 inches between them and the hard chromoly steel top tube.

If you are between sizes, keep in mind the smaller one will have lower handlebars and more agile handling. The larger one will have higher handlebars but less straddle room. Your personal preferences will determine your size.
Another tip is to choose the bicycle that has a top tube length closest to the length of what you currently prefer.
The final choice is up to you.

Scrodzilla

Without knowing your proportions, it's tough to recommend a size. At 5'5" I would think a 47 will be much too small though.

Scrodzilla

Over my dead body.

Infidel79

The above comments are spot-on. I used the fit calculator on the competitive cyclist website (they have illustrative videos) and went with the "Eddy Fit", which they describe on the site. The fit calculator put me within perfect range for the 55cm kilo on all measures except seat tube length/standover clearance. As already stated, keep in mind that this dimension of sizing loses importance when you're actually riding the bike, although it does influence relative handlebar height at a given saddle height position. Anyway, I wanted a cockpit that offered a good compromise between comfort and aggressive stance (Eddy Fit), so I placed more importance on top tube length. Also, standover clearance issues were diminished by the fact that I wasn't wearing shoes during my inseam measurement, but I do wear cycling shoes when I ride. Just lean the bike over a little when you're straddling the top tube.

Bottom line is that I didn't guess on frame size, and I didn't just use standover clearance to determine size. I measured myself properly (my patient, loving wife helped) and am happy with my purchase.

puppypilgrim

OK, Look at this picture below:



It shows me, 5' 5.5" with an inseam of 28.5" on a 47cm Kilo TT Stripper Chrome. The standover is perfect except the top tube is too short.

After a 2 day light tour ride, I swapped out the stem for one which is 120mm increasing comfort and improving the fit especially in the drops. The picture of the bike with the new stem and a new set of tires is below.



Moral of the story? Like the others said earlier, top tube fit is more important than standover. However, many times you can just add a longer stem and achieve a fit (unless your proportions are freakishly beyond average).

yummygooey

50cm

That's just a gut response. It would be more help if you provide other body measurements or used an online fit calculator.

pylea

That video is creepy.

Scrodzilla

fixed.

Squirrelli

....sigh....

Scrodzilla

Poor Vic...