kwakeham

I've been wanting to put together something cheap that I can use as a combo gravel / adventure bike. It's going to a be a mix of high spoke count heavier wheels (like entry level fulcrums, or their new Rapid 5s if they ever ship), and some parts bin groupsets I've got around. However the sizing looks weird, their 53cm looks to have the dimensions of a 57cm. I check against well known brands assuming geometry is different. I have a H2 54 Madone with 120mm stem -6 degree with 30mm of spaces. So mocking up the geometry in CAD (with the limited information they have listed) shows that the 53 is bigger but longer head tube lifting the front end puts it at a slightly more upright geometry but imaginable. My 55cm retro Wilier runs a 100mm stem and 0 offset seat post and matches fit pretty close (except the classic bars).

Should I be sizing up to what they list as 53 but looks more like a 56/57 for the longer head tube to get more upright on gravel?

Anyone have any experience with these bikes? Or know the source frame Merlin is buying with more geometry detail? I'm still waiting for more info from Merlin's but unsure when that'll happen.

gus6464

It's mtb geometry so long bike. Designed around shorter stems. Buy the frame that looks closest to your road size.