vishal_pvk

I'm 6'1" with a 36 inseam and I am thinking of taking an 19.5" L size hybrid bike because that's a vastly available frame size for my height. I've done huge research and checked various forums and online size calculator sites and according to the charts they provide, they all seem to follow a standard relation between overall height and inseam length. And I understood that my body proportions are off those standards. According to that standard if taken the overall height, the 19.5 inch frame should fit me. But when I take the inseam, things get strange. According to the inseam length suggested size I need to go for a 21" frame at least, because my inseam length falls in range of a 6'3 or 6;4" person. Now this is really confusing and it would really help if someone clears me of this. Unfortunately I'm far away from any major city to test the bike physically in a shop and I'm buying online. So please help me if i should go for a 21" XL size, if so will it be too big? Or I can fit the 19.5" frame with some major adjustments which seem unavoidable considering my abnormally long inseam for my height? Thanks in advance.

LeftyS7

I'm no expert but I used to be 6'3" when I bought a Bianchi Road bike. (I'm now 76 and 6'1") I wanted a larger frame but the salesman who raced bikes said there was no need, a smaller bike was lighter and my size could be fitted with seat height and handlebar stem height and reach. I bought the size he recommended and with the mods was very happy with it.

vishal_pvk

Wait how are you 6'1" now?

bobwysiwyg

Age.

I was 6'4", I'm also 76 and now 6' 2.5" spinal components compress over time.

LeftyS7

Thank you, exactly! Getting old is not for the faint of heart.

berner

Gravity waves. There is great variation in the force of gravity from one part of the planet to another. On light gravity days I am 5' 7" but 5' 6 1/2" at other times.

Carbonfiberboy 

I don't know a better way to decide the issue than to go to a shop and get the bike fitted to you, saddle height, stem length, bar height, etc., ride it on a shop trainer and see if it works for you. Or try two different sizes and see which works better. It's worth a several hour drive IMO. That's why it's more expensive to buy from a LBS than online, especially if you don't know your exact measurements in the particular bike style.

bobonabike

Hi vishal_pvk... I sympathise, because I'm also relatively tall but with disproportionately long legs.

You'll find you need to run a higher seatpost than 'normal', meaning the front end will feel lower than it 'should' be and your centre of gravity is further back than it 'should' be.

So, I suggest...
- go for the larger sized frame to ensure there's plenty seat-tube length
- get a shorter stem, say 90mm vs a 'normal' 110mm, to shorten the bike by 20mm
- pop 10-20mm of spacers under the stem to raise the bars slightly
- slide saddle forward on the rails, to shorten the bike by 10-15mm and move you forward
- tip saddle down slightly, to keep it comfortable given your back will be flatter (and aero!)

For the record, I am 100% comfortable on my bike... good fit is perfectly possible if you adapt small things!

B