Is my bike too small?
#1
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Is my bike too small?
Recently bought a bike which I thought was a 62cm frame but was advertised wrong and is actually a 58cm frame. I am new to biking but read that some people my height (6’4) can make a 58cm frame work for them so I decided to try it out before reselling it.
After my first few rides I am finding that the handle bars are definitely too low which is fixable. But my main problem it feels like I am standing on my tippy toes every time I’m pedaling even when I’m still in the saddle. I feel more push from my knees rather than my thighs, and cycling on my old xl hybrid bike is much easier than the new road bike. I am also feeling stress on my low back and can’t go for more than 45 minutes where I could go 2 hours on my hybrid.
Is this a problem with my bike size or where the clips on my shoes are located? Should I sell and start looking for a different bike?
After my first few rides I am finding that the handle bars are definitely too low which is fixable. But my main problem it feels like I am standing on my tippy toes every time I’m pedaling even when I’m still in the saddle. I feel more push from my knees rather than my thighs, and cycling on my old xl hybrid bike is much easier than the new road bike. I am also feeling stress on my low back and can’t go for more than 45 minutes where I could go 2 hours on my hybrid.
Is this a problem with my bike size or where the clips on my shoes are located? Should I sell and start looking for a different bike?
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How did you measure the frame?
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I'm 6'4" and ride a 61cm Specialized Allez and a 62cm Trek Domane. 58cm sound small for your size. Try lowering the saddle first. When you can, post some pics of you on the bike.
https://www.youtube.com/gcn/search?q...addle%20height
Glenn
https://www.youtube.com/gcn/search?q...addle%20height
Glenn
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Measure you hybrid setup and try to duplicate it from the same point on the new bike. Areas such as center of crank (or pedal at the same o’clock) and head tube to a specific place on the saddle. I’ve even used a 4’ lever, vertically, to give a rough check of seat location.
From there you can measure From the seat back to the handlebar location.
It is all about the numbers and the fore/aft balance.
John
From there you can measure From the seat back to the handlebar location.
It is all about the numbers and the fore/aft balance.
John
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Added: If you can’t duplicate the positions you might need to get a seatpost with more, or less, setback. Obviously changing the stem length.
You have to understand there are differences in geometry between the two bikes that you have to overcome.
John
You have to understand there are differences in geometry between the two bikes that you have to overcome.
John
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The bike might be too small.
People love to get wrapped around seat tube measurements, but the reality is top tube to your torso. That is the cockpit setup. That determines how well the bike fits. Who cares if the seat tube is center crank to center or top of top tube? That measurement doesn’t change the top tube length, and that is where you ride.
If the top tube is way too short that compensating for it is not possible while maintaining fore/aft balance, you have to move on.
John
People love to get wrapped around seat tube measurements, but the reality is top tube to your torso. That is the cockpit setup. That determines how well the bike fits. Who cares if the seat tube is center crank to center or top of top tube? That measurement doesn’t change the top tube length, and that is where you ride.
If the top tube is way too short that compensating for it is not possible while maintaining fore/aft balance, you have to move on.
John
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Start with inseam. Convert inches to CM and multiply by .665. That will put you in the ballpark. This is the formula used by Greg Lemond. However, that is given a traditional TT. If you have a sloping TT, you will have to find the intersection of your virtual TT and your seat tube. Having said that....you can ride a range of sizes. My inseam is 32.5" and although 54-55 is perfect for me, I can ride a 58. People who base frame size on height alone are making a mistake. Your inseam and reach are critical.
#15
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First get your saddle height and setback correct. Then check the height difference between the top of the saddle and top of the bars. If it's 10cm or more, the frame might be too small, but I have a 10cm drop and I'm a lot smaller rider.
The reach difference on a 58 may only be 10mm or one stem size shorter than the 62, 20mm at most. A longer stem with more rise may fix the fit.
The reach difference on a 58 may only be 10mm or one stem size shorter than the 62, 20mm at most. A longer stem with more rise may fix the fit.
#17
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Normally I'd say a 58cm frame was too small for a 6'4" individual. But your complaint seems to be that it's too big, which implies a mis-adjustment. Before selling that frame/bike and buying another, try setting your saddle height. I usually adjust it so that as I'm straddling the bike, the horn is hitting my tailbone. You are not supposed to put your feet down while still on the saddle, and this sets the saddle height 'in the ballpark' of correct, which is knees slightly bent when at the bottom of the pedal circle.
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#18
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I’m 6’ 4” and I ride a 58, I have a short inseam. My pants length is a 32....I can’t remember my bike inseam but you need to start there. Look on YouTube on how to measure your inseam. My bike is also a large 58; manufacturers are not the same.
You need to get fitted or at least do the basics yourself and get you in the ballpark. Start with saddle height then do setback bc sounds like you got some weird stuff going on. It would be much better to get a bike that fits you if this one is too small but honestly if you raise the stem to a comfortable height and reach you should be able to make it work
You need to get fitted or at least do the basics yourself and get you in the ballpark. Start with saddle height then do setback bc sounds like you got some weird stuff going on. It would be much better to get a bike that fits you if this one is too small but honestly if you raise the stem to a comfortable height and reach you should be able to make it work
#19
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Also, have someone take a picture of you riding it directly from the side profile, probably easiest on a trainer , then post it here
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I am around your height, and I have successfully ridden road bikes called any size from 58 to 64cm. THis wasn't because I am super flexible and a bike fitting wizard, but because different manufacturers size and label their bikes differently. Many manufacturers have gone to s/m/L/XL sizing instead of numbers, which makes sense because the numbered size system implies the sizing is comparable across all bikes, which is not true.