Sotanghon

Hi all,

I am 5'7" and I have a 29.75" in seam, 175 lbs and have not had exercise for quite a while. It is also my first time using drop bars. I feel that i need to mention all of this to give you a clearer picture on my current situation.

So I rode the Comax yesterday and earlier this morning. I noticed that I am getting some pain on my bottom then I realized that I am moving forward to reach the handle bars. So then when I ensured the I am comfortable on the saddle, I started feeling some back pains, not sure if this is because I am too stretched out when using the drops.

So I adjusted saddle a little bit, move it towards the handle bars a little bit but then I felt that I got too much weight on my palms to i adjusted it back.

So now my question is, did i get the right size? I saw in the sizing chart for Anyroad Comax in the Giant site that 5'7 is the ceiling for a small and also the floor for the medium.

But then I also saw in another Giant link that 5"7 should be a small.

Now I am confused. Not sure if it is just my body starting to adjust or I actually have sizing issues. What do you think will be best in the long run?

1) Do I swap this with a small?
2) Do I keep the medium then maybe get a 90mm or 80mm stem?

I am attaching a picture of me on my bike with my most relaxed position on the drop bars. Can you comment on my posture and maybe from there determine if the bike is too large or just right for me.

Thanks!

IK_biker

The bike is well sized for you.

However, you have it adjusted wrong. Saddle is too high and too far fore, your torso is too upright, your back is bent oddly, mostly because you seem to be trying to sit onto the saddle as though it was a stool.
Your entire posture on the bike is so far off that I am not sure you could be helped by instructions and opinions from the forum mates.

Phil_gretz

^ with the above post. There are several accepted touch stones for the beginning position from which to fit you to this bike. One is that, generally, the forward knee is over the pedal spindle when the forward foot is at 3:00 (right) or 9:00 (left). You can research the particulars for "KOPS". This isn't absolute gospel, but it's a reasonable start. It's difficult to assess with your cranks set as shown, but I'm guessing that your saddle can go backward and lower. The back may be ~2 cm or so and the downward must be adjusted accordingly. It might be 2-3 cm lower, but you'll know by using the ball of the foot on the pedal at 6:00 and the knee slightly bent.


Your weight should be balanced between the downward force on the pedals and the portion carried by the saddle. You should be able to lift your hands to allow them to float or gently rise from the bars while riding. More like the way a jockey rides, if this makes sense.

Sotanghon

Thank you for your responses. These are very helpful. I was about to ask my LBS if i can swap ny bike to a small until I read this.

I have scheduled a bike fitting session with them this week so let's see how it goes.

Carbonfiberboy 

A heck of a lot of it is just riding more. You'll get stronger. Core exercises help a lot. Planks are good. And you need someone to coach you on position. You might be able to get your LBS to put your bike on a trainer and have someone help you with that.

Sotanghon

So i did the bike fit yesterday and decided to swap what i had with a small. Hopefully i get the new unit tomorrow. Thanks for all the help!

fietsbob

Stem changes can easily be made, Threadless stems with open face bar clamps are good for that.

gildelrosan

I too am 5'7" with 30 inseam.
Ive had a Giant Anyroad 2 Small size, and aftr a long while, iI sold it to buy my new Anyroad 1 Medium size. Your photo shown has put me in the same position .
I bought a shorter stem 80mm with 8 deg rise (same as the original rise) and lowered the bars taking it down 2 small rings. I also gave the bars a tilt upwards . It rieds like a dream now. However, I will buy a longer 90mm 8 deg stem this week, it may be more comfortable. Keep the saddle adjustment in the center for good pedaling and balance.
The 90mm stem is for explroring more comfort.

berner

That's a good plan as the position you would find the most comfortable is not the same position that is comfortable in the early days of your cycling. The best position is a moving target.

gildelrosan

I believe so. It musnt be pure comfort, or the struggle will get lost.

eduskator

If you bought the bike there, they should have it fitted to your body for free

Size looks good - it obviously needs some adjustments though. Also keep in mind that your body needs time to adapt to the new position that's a lot more ''aggressive'' than a mountain bike or a comfort bike. This said, your comfort zone will most likely change over time, and you'll want to adjust your position accordingly.

gildelrosan

So, whats your fitting set up with the Anyroad Medium now?
im using a 90mm stem now with mine as its more stabled than an 80mm stem.
thanks

kasncart

This thread is helpful.

tinkledeath

based on my experience, lowering seatpost 2cm, lowering spacer 1.5 - 2cm and get stem 90-100 would be good.

ride more, core strength.

saddle width, and cleat position also very important

cheers

Norc

I'm about the same size as you 5'6, same inseam length, 170lb. I'd generally go for the size S.

1. It looks like your arms are fully locked out reaching the hoods. Your shoulders are raised close to your ears to compensate which may cause neck fatigue over a longer period of time.
2. Pain in your bottom could be from A) not being used to riding B) not having a saddle that fits you properly
3. It's generally more comfortable being on a smaller bike frame with a longer stem than being on a larger frame with a shorter stem. The shorter stem will make the bike handle more twitchy, you really start to feel it 80mm and lower.
4. The Giant size chart puts you on the larger side of S but not quite on the smaller side of M

Norc

Lol just realized the post is from 2017. OP how did the fit work out in the end?