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43cm seat tube and 5'5 height, frame size too small?

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43cm seat tube and 5'5 height, frame size too small?

Old 11-13-16, 05:14 AM
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daryldeal
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52cm seat tube and 5'5 height, frame size too small?

Is the seat tube too short? can this be 'compensated' by a higher seat post?

Last edited by daryldeal; 11-13-16 at 03:47 PM.
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Old 11-13-16, 10:15 AM
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Short answer: It depends.

Long answer: The reach to the handlebars is less adjustable than saddle height. Does the reach feel comfortable for you? Does it feel like you're really stretching to reach the handlebars or is it the opposite, do you feel "cramped in the cockpit" as if the bars were way too close?

If the reach is fine, then sure, you can go with a longer seatpost. Got to have at least two or three inches of seatpost inside the frame, more is better.

I'm 5'4, and I have three Independent Fabrication road bikes I picked up used. Two of them have 650c wheels and are 46 & 47cm frames respectively. The other is a 43cm frame with 700c wheels. The 43cm frame fits me just fine, the reach is good, and I don't have too much seatpost sticking out of the frame.

So that winds back to the short answer, it depends. Depends on your proportions, the wheel size of the bike, and the particular bike geometry involved.

Last edited by bargainguy; 11-13-16 at 10:28 AM.
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Old 11-13-16, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by daryldeal
Is the seat tube too short? can this be 'compensated' by a higher seat post?
In order to fix a problem, we need to know what the actual problem is. So far you've listed a height (almost useless for fitting) and a frame size. What's the problem??
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Old 11-13-16, 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
In order to fix a problem, we need to know what the actual problem is. So far you've listed a height (almost useless for fitting) and a frame size. What's the problem??
i measured it again and its 52cm, sorry guys

im not really sure whats the problem, maybe just wanna know if the frame size fits my height
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Old 11-13-16, 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by daryldeal
i measured it again and its 52cm, sorry guys

im not really sure whats the problem, maybe just wanna know if the frame size fits my height
Only you can answer that. How does it feel when riding?
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Old 11-13-16, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Only you can answer that. How does it feel when riding?
When riding, the bike seems ok but i have the saddle a bit high though, not sure if its because the seat tube is short that id have to do that. Is it optimal that the saddle should be close to level with the handle bars?
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Old 11-14-16, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by daryldeal
When riding, the bike seems ok but i have the saddle a bit high though, not sure if its because the seat tube is short that id have to do that. Is it optimal that the saddle should be close to level with the handle bars?
Depends on the bike, and how you ride. Some of my bikes have the handlebars below the saddle, others have it above.

By the way, you should adjust the saddle so that you get nearly complete leg extension at the bottom, not so that it's an arbitrary position compared to the handlebars.

Can you see the minimum insertion line on your seatpost?
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Old 11-15-16, 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Depends on the bike, and how you ride. Some of my bikes have the handlebars below the saddle, others have it above.

By the way, you should adjust the saddle so that you get nearly complete leg extension at the bottom, not so that it's an arbitrary position compared to the handlebars.

Can you see the minimum insertion line on your seatpost?
yup i can. bout the leg ext, is it with flat on the heels or with bended feet?
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Old 11-15-16, 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by daryldeal
yup i can. bout the leg ext, is it with flat on the heels or with bended feet?
A good rule of thumb is, legs straight with heels on the pedals, a little bent with the balls of your feet on the pedals.
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Old 11-16-16, 05:35 PM
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Sooooo, what's next?
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