kelseymeaghan

Hi all,
I recently purchased a 2005 Specialized Allez Comp Cr-Mo Double from my LBS. Since this is my first road bike, I relied on the owner to show me the ropes. He told me a 56" mens frame or 57" women's frame would probably work best for me and showed me the bike I bought as a 55" frame. I called specialized to figure out what it actually measures since I know there isn't a 55". According to the head tube length, it is a 54" frame. I am just shy of 6ft tall and have a 32.5 inseam, so I'm worried it may be too small for me. It feels comfortable riding, but I haven't gone far with it. Should I return the bike and look for something bigger, or is it fine as it has been fit to me by the shop? I have a history of hip and knee problems from running, so biking was supposed to help me out in that aspect, while providing a way to race. The seat was raised 3/4" from where the original owner had it. Any thoughts appreciated! Here is a picture:

10 Wheels

It should work for you.

Try a longer stem if you like to stretch out while riding.

ddeand 

You need to feel comfortable and stable on your bike, and that takes a bit of adjusting. I'm 6'0" with a 32.5 inseam, and I felt my 57cm compact frame Bianchi was too small. After trying a couple other bikes, I found that 58cm bikes with a little shorter stem seem to work best for me. One of my bikes is a wonderful steel frame Gazelle that has a 60cm frame. I have it set up OK, but it is still a bit of a reach for me. If I could get a 58cm frame, it would be perfect. We each need to find our comfort level on our bike - and that's not necessarily what the bike shop says we should ride. You might find three different size bikes with different geometries that will work for you. If it doesn't feel right, I'd try a different size (or geometry) frame.

Good luck with your search!

68venable

I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam and the bike shop put me on a 56 Allez. By chance, I traded a kayak for an old Cannondale SR500 which is a size 63. I mostly prefer the Cannondale. They both fit OK once a bit of tweaking is done.

Tim_Iowa

It sounds like the bike is a bit small for you. Too bad. But, you may be able to improve your fit with a longer and/or taller handlebar stem.

I'm 6'1 with an 89 cm pubic bone height (aka "cycling inseam"). I prefer a 59-60 cm frame, but I found a great deal on a 57 cm road bike. With a taller seat post and taller/longer stem, it fits pretty great.

There was a time when weight weenies would recommend a smaller frame, in order to save a couple grams.

Machka 

If you are riding a 55" (inch) frame, it is way too big for you. But a 55 cm frame might work.

kelseymeaghan

oops, I obviously meant cm, not inches. That's what I get for trying to blast this out quickly!

Thank you to everyone for the responses, I'm going to ride around a bit more tonight and see how things feel. I am a Spin instructor, so I know how to keep decent form...but things are different on an actual bike of course. Since I'm prone to injury I'm trying to do things by the book. I know comfort is key, but I also don't trust my comfort gauge...I did continue running on a torn hip labrum for quite some time before realizing that pain wasn't normal.

pacificaslim

If the saddle height in that picture is good for you, I think you'll be fine with that frame. I can't really tell the effective top tune length from the photo but if you feel the bars are too close, you could get a longer stem. I'm 6'0" and ride a bike with only a 55.5 top tube so I just use a longish stem (120).

fietsbob

Trends in Bike racing have moved more towards that setup.

a lot of seatpost showing bars a good bit lower & sloping top tube makes the seat-tube shorter .. yes a stem that is much longer , perhaps .


as more a Cycle-tourist with a road bike , I pick the 56cm size (level top tube, 56.5cm) Im shorter ..
My fit shows a lot less seat post

spdracr39

If its comfortable the size is irrelevant. Don't get overly concerned about numbers. As long as it is comfortable for you to ride off the showroom floor there is plenty of room to make minor adjustments to dial it in after you get some time in and see what you really want out of it.

Retro Grouch 

The key factor is leg to torso length ratio.

Bikes with longer seat tubes tend to also have longer top tubes. Bikes specifically designed for women (color aside) tend to have top tubes that are a bit shorter than a similar bike that was designed for men. The bottom line is that you are looking for a bike that has the right geometry to fit your individual leg to torso length ratio. If you focus too much on either top tube length or seat tube length without considering the other, you might to get it wrong.

caloso

This. Every bike shop I know has a drawer full of stems taken off stock bikes that they sell at a discount.

kelseymeaghan

This was the trick! I took it back to the LBS and talked it over with the owner...he said I was all leg, so going up to a 56cm frame would require a very short stem that would make steering a little funky. He put on a longer stem for free and it feels so nice now! Thank you everyone

StanSeven

I don't really think a shorter stem affects handling that much. But I do think that's the right size frame for you with the longer stem. There's nothing like a frame that's too big to make you feel like you are riding a tank.