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Do different bike companies use different size frames?

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Old 08-24-12, 12:54 PM
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That70sShowDude
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Do different bike companies use different size frames?

I'm 5'8.75" or 5'9" and figured out that I'd probably need ~55cm frame.

The bike I'm looking at on bikesdirect shows this:

XSmall -- 43cm -- 4' 11 up to 5' 2"
Small -- 46.5cm -- 5' 3" up to 5' 6"
Medium -- 50cm -- 5' 7" up to 5' 9"
MedLarge -- 53.5cm -- 5' 10" up to 5' 11"
Large -- 55.5cm -- 6' up to 6' 2"
XLarge -- 58.5cm -- 6' 3" up to 6' 7"

"These size just like Trek and Fuji road bikes - center of bb to top of seat tube"

Last edited by That70sShowDude; 08-24-12 at 12:57 PM.
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Old 08-24-12, 01:08 PM
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richardmasoner
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I'm your height and generally ride 53 cm.
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Old 08-24-12, 01:11 PM
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5'8" 53 LeMond and a 52 Lynskey
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Old 08-24-12, 01:11 PM
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Different bike companies will measure their frames differently, so yes.
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Old 08-24-12, 02:20 PM
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1. Top tube length matters most, perhaps followed by head-tube length with minor adjustments based on the angles involved. You can always get a longer seat post with more or less set back, although there are limits to stem length and height.

2. There's too much variation in people to make predictions based on height. I'm 5'10", my wife is 5'4", and used to appropriate my pants without them dragging on the ground.

5'10, 55cm seat tube, 55.5cm top tube, 120mm -17 degree stem. I could not buy a long enough stem to make two sizes smaller fit, and one size smaller would be marginal.

Looking at some of the on-line fit calculators would be a fine idea.
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Old 08-24-12, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Drew Eckhardt
1. Top tube length matters most, perhaps followed by head-tube length with minor adjustments based on the angles involved. You can always get a longer seat post with more or less set back, although there are limits to stem length and height.

2. There's too much variation in people to make predictions based on height. I'm 5'10", my wife is 5'4", and used to appropriate my pants without them dragging on the ground.

5'10, 55cm seat tube, 55.5cm top tube, 120mm -17 degree stem. I could not buy a long enough stem to make two sizes smaller fit, and one size smaller would be marginal.

Looking at some of the on-line fit calculators would be a fine idea.
I looked at a ton of online sizing and things that people have said. This chart that they give says I should be 6'2"ish w/ the frame I need. To go w/ my real size, I'd need a frame size of 50? I've never seen anyone anywhere get one that small for this height. Is the chart off or something. Which size would you recommend? 53.5cm?

Last edited by That70sShowDude; 08-24-12 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 08-24-12, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by That70sShowDude
I looked at a ton of online sizing and things that people have said. This chart that they give says I should be 6'2"ish w/ the frame I need. To go w/ my real size, I'd need a frame size of 50? I've never seen anyone anywhere get one that small for this height. Is the chart off or something. Which size would you recommend? 53.5cm?
I'd recommend you take measurements and dump them into a fit calculator

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO

and see how things will work with the specific frame geometry.
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Old 08-24-12, 04:35 PM
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Frame size is a fiction. And the competitive cyclist fit calculator is nearly worthless. Find someone competent locally to help you. OTOH, you can take a crap shoot with various on-line guesses and you might get lucky.
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Old 08-24-12, 04:54 PM
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I'm just under 5'10" and my custom frame has a 53mm top tube, and my Lynskey R230 is a size medium. Both fit me like a glove. Had a "54" Spec Tarmac and it always felt a smidge big.
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Old 08-24-12, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by That70sShowDude;14648189

"[COLOR=#000000
These size just like Trek and Fuji road bikes - center of bb to top of seat tube"[/COLOR]
I think you arent comparing the same things. These are actual seat post lengths with a sloping top tube. Your 55.5 is likely a seat post length for a non-slopping or apparent seat tube length.
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Old 08-24-12, 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by SlowCrank
Different bike companies will measure their frames differently, so yes.
And when you get into alphabetical sizes, you can't compare across brands.

For example, I ride a M/l (medium large) in a giant, but an XL in a Wilier.
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