AtomicCactus

I'm 6'1" with a 35" inseam and ride a 56cm. Long legs and short torso necessitates a shorter top tube or I'd be sprawled out! I was professionally fitted for a 56 cm. Whenever I go bike shopping and tell them I'd like to try a 56, the bike salesman gives me a funny look. But when I hop on the bike, they all say, "Wow, you really are a 56!"

Hunt-man

You must have a big drop from saddle to bars. Is your body parallel to the ground? Do you race? I just can't imagine as I'm on a 56 effective top tube bike, 100mm stem, and I feel cramped at 6' / 33" inseam. But I like the short reach cause I f'd my back a few years back. If I go even a few cm longer my back doesn't do so well.

I'd love to see a pic of you on your bike.

revchuck 

I've never measured it in the context of bike fit. For slacks, I use a 32" inseam. I don't know how/whether that translates to bike fit.

10 Wheels

Measure your inseam first”

https://veloweb.ca/bike-fit/

Street Pedaler

6' 1" with a 30" inseam and got a 58 Madone 5.2 H3. Could have gone with a 60 as I am kind of on the cusp. 58 just felt better. 1,000 miles in and I couldn't be happier.

Munk69

6'1" 33in inseam and I am on a 56 H2. Inseam only tells a little of the story on overall bike fitting. Reach and stack are more important numbers IMO.

My last bike was a 58 Cervelo and I never realized how streched out I really was until I rode the 56 Madone. Absolutely love the bike and in my humble opinion the 6 series frame is the best frame I have ever ridden.

ColinL

I'm pretty surprised that you fit a 56cm frame best, but as you say, body dimensions are more complex than just inseam.

Here's my detailed measurements (inches):

-------------------------------------------
Inseam: 33
Trunk: 27
Forearm: 16
Arm: 26
Thigh: 25
Lower Leg: 23
Sternal Notch: 59
Total Body Height: 72

This is what my 61cm bike looks like:


Sorry for the cameraphone quality, but I think you get the idea. My seatpost is extended 6 - 6.5". The stem is 90mm and has 2x 10mm spacer still under it. (It has 5mm and 10mm above it, and I don't intend to cut the steerer tube anytime soon, if ever.)

I could get that same cockpit on a 58cm with a setback seatpost and 120mm stem, but there's no way for me to make a 56cm work with my riding posture.

vuduchyld5

Hey folks...For what it's worth..I finally hopped on a 58cm to see the difference between the two frames- I am so glad I went with the 60cm! The 58 was way too cramped and my toes were almost touching the front tire enough to be scary. I really appreciate all the responses and helpful comments from all of you and I am so glad I joined this site. Very resourceful. I attached a pic of my ride so you guys could check out the bike in question. Not quite sure yet if the Mavic Ksyrium SL's were worth all the extra loot or not..They simply don't seem to be performing all that much better than the Bonty Races that came stock on there. Bummer-I could just be missing something because I am fairly new to the game-I've only had them on for about a month, maybe the bearings just have to get broke in awhile longer?

dstrong 

I'd ride that. Congrats!

10 Wheels

it is nice to have a spare set of wheels.

Nice bike.

mphil333

I'm 6'3" 32" inseam weigh 230 muscular football player type, hoping to become the long lean bicyclist type. I bought a Trek Madone 4.5 and was fitted with a 60cm and very comfortable. The 58 felt a little small. I started riding with a friend on a 65cm and I feel like a midget on the bike next to him. have been riding for 2 weeks and feel like my legs are turning into pistons and loving it. It's amazing how good I feel! Love this sport!!

Misochew

6'5" 33" inseam and 62mm H3 frame for me. I'm currently getting a new frame under warranty and am contemplating a change to H2.

vuduchyld5

I agree! Very addictive sport-Fun way to relieve stress and I am more fit than I have ever been. A win/win for sure...

Hunt-man

Nice looking bike and glad you are happy with your fit.

Not going to be a lot of difference between those wheels. All about the engine but maybe "the bearings will break it".....

tcwayne

I ride a 58, 5.5 madone. I rode it for 7 months with just a quick fit and out the door. Recently I got to get fitted with the Guru fit machine. What an experience! If you have the chance to get fit that way, I would suggest it after you've been riding your current bike for a while. I'm very happy with the results. Not to mention all my settings are stored and if I buy a new frame or bars or saddle, the guy sets it up exactly where I need it from the info stored in my profile.

tcwayne

Oh I'm 6'2".

hokie cycler

6'-4" with 34" inseam and I just bought a 60 cm Madone 3.1. The LBS put it on a trainer and tweaked the seat height and bar position. You should at least try both sizes and have them fit you.

vuduchyld5

I already have a 60 now and no other option. I tried my dad's 58cam bike out and felt cramped so...I think the 60 was a good choice for me...

Cateye

I'm 6'2" 34 inseam.....My 2011 Trek Madone 6 is an H2 and I was fitted for a 60.

yellowjeep

I am 6' with a 33in true inseam and am on a 56 ctc top and seat tube with a 120mm stem, a 0 offset post and a very healthy saddle to bar drop... Just goes to show how different fit is for each person. Very nice Madone OP.

vuduchyld5

One great reason why I feel I made a good choice with the 60cm frame is because I noticed VERY compromising toe overlap on the 58. I know that this is something that occurs often on road bikes but hey, if I can bypass it with the slightly larger frame a still fit fairly well and comfortable then why not, right? That woulda urked the hell outta me otherwise.

vuduchyld5

Okay- For all of you that got sucked into this forum a while back- UPDATE. I was kidding myself...The 60cm Madone was WAAAAAY too big. I rode the hell outta that thing though...All the while still knowing in my heart it wasn't right. So- last weekend I went to 2 other bike shops...Without telling them that I was on a 60. The first shop put me on a 58cm first...I took her for a spin and immediately felt much more right. But then I said to myself..."Why the heck not take a 56cm for a spin while I am here- and BOOM! THAT WAS SOOOO THE TICKET! I totally felt what I had been missing within 2 minutes of being on that bike...After seeing me on the 56 the shop agreed it was the size I needed. Long story short-It was the same with the next shop. Cool thing was, I called the bike shop that originally sold me the 60cm and told them the deal, and the owner quickly agreed to make it right and ordered me a 2012 5.2 to trade up. Very cool! I will kinda miss the flashy red white, and black color scheme that was on the 2011- But the matte and gloss black on the '12 looks pretty nasty (and by nasty I mean AWESOME!) in real life...I am gonna add a few touches of deep red in there on the extras to give that badboy a "nightrider" look..hahaha! Don't hassle the Hoff! So..I have one question.....The 60 cm Madone had a 175mm crank arm- I would assume the 56 will have a shorter one...Would that be the case?

vuduchyld5

I shoulda took what you said right to the bank!!!!!!!!!!!

Adrianinkc

Funny I did the same a few weeks ago and realized my 58 was just a bit too big for me. 56 frame will have 172.5 crank and 42cm handlebar. Love that paint scheme, congrats.

vuduchyld5

Thanks for the reply!