Niner RLT owners - I need some advice
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Niner RLT owners - I need some advice
So I just received the Niner RLT Steel bike from Jenson USA. I am super happy with the bike but think I may have ordered the incorrect size. I am 5'-6" with a 28 inseam. I ordered a 53cm as most of my other bikes are sized similar. Upon receiving the bike and comparing it to my Madone, the Top Tube is almost a full 2" higher than my Madone. It just seems overall like a bigger bike in comparison. The sizing seems like it may run big. I really think the 50cm may have been what I should have ordered. Also the guy from "The Supple Life" on Youtube is very similar in height to me and he tested a 50cm and said he preferred that size. I have worked a deal w Jenson for an exchange but it will cost me a little bit more as I am going from 2019 to a 2020 bike.
I could make the 53cm work and I actually like the colorway of the bike I have more than the 2020..... But I really want the correct sized bike as this is going to be my go to ride. and I do think sizing takes precedence over everything else. So guys in my height range....what size do you have and what recomendations might you have?
Thanks!
KD
I could make the 53cm work and I actually like the colorway of the bike I have more than the 2020..... But I really want the correct sized bike as this is going to be my go to ride. and I do think sizing takes precedence over everything else. So guys in my height range....what size do you have and what recomendations might you have?
Thanks!
KD
#2
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,617
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10970 Post(s)
Liked 7,496 Times
in
4,192 Posts
Finding same sized cyclists with the same bike may prove tough since both height and bike frame arent extremely common.
Anyways, whichever fits best is the frame size you should have. Color be damned.
Good luck on the fitment- it's a neat bike.
Anyways, whichever fits best is the frame size you should have. Color be damned.
Good luck on the fitment- it's a neat bike.
#3
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
How much have you ridden it? Have yuou asked Jenson about a return if it is still mint condition?
Either way, the standover measurement (TT height) doesn't matter as much as the reach and saddle position. How does the bike actually feel when you ride it, how it feels when you're standing at a stop light doesn't matter much.
Either way, the standover measurement (TT height) doesn't matter as much as the reach and saddle position. How does the bike actually feel when you ride it, how it feels when you're standing at a stop light doesn't matter much.
#4
Senior Member
I know that there are more measurements that make a difference other than height and inseam, but I'm 5-7 with a 30" inseam and I'm a 51 on most bikes, a 52 on some that have relatively small geometries.
But if my choices were only 50 and 53 I would have opted for the 50. Honestly I'm surprised you have 53s for your other bikes. Unless your torso and arms are just way longer than mine (which admittedly is a possibility).
But if my choices were only 50 and 53 I would have opted for the 50. Honestly I'm surprised you have 53s for your other bikes. Unless your torso and arms are just way longer than mine (which admittedly is a possibility).
Likes For CarloM:
#5
Senior Member
I have the RLT RDO in 59. My road bike is 58. The Niner seems a lot bigger just because of the height of head tube/top tube. I have it set up pretty much the same as the road bike as far as saddle, reach, etc. But it does feel bigger. I did test ride a 56 and I felt like I was a bit to far out over the front wheel, and I had pretty significant toe overlap with the front wheel.
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 102
Bikes: Hers: Volagi Liscio, Kestrel 200 SCI, Niner Jet9 RDO, Ellsworth Truth. His: Kestrel 200 EMS, Niner Jet9, Psyclewerks Wild Hare. Ours: Paketa V2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I’m 5’8” with a 32” inseam and On a 53” RLT RDO which fits me well.
Last edited by Krenovian; 11-20-19 at 06:39 PM.
#8
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,557
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3679 Post(s)
Liked 5,443 Times
in
2,766 Posts
It's great that they will exchange it. At your height, I'd be surprised if any bike in 53 fit you.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I originally ordered the 53 as they did not have a 50 in stock and the pricing on the 2019 was great. By the chart, the 53 seemed to worked but in reality it was just a bit big.
JensonUSA was awesome to work with. I have already sent the 53cm back and am getting the 2020 50cm. Without discussing the particulars, we negotiated the price down on the 2020 very close to what the 2019 sale price was. I think it was the right choice. Now....waiting on UPS!
JensonUSA was awesome to work with. I have already sent the 53cm back and am getting the 2020 50cm. Without discussing the particulars, we negotiated the price down on the 2020 very close to what the 2019 sale price was. I think it was the right choice. Now....waiting on UPS!
Likes For KDTX:
#10
Member
I have an RLT 9 RDO which I got about one week ago. I am 5’6” and I got a 50cm frame. This size with 650x47 tires is a perfect fit for me.