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help with fit

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Old 12-16-11, 08:45 AM
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kiserkm
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help with fit

I need some help with my fit. I cant seem to get it right. I already posted this on ww, and some have suggested that I raise my saddle a little. thanks in advance.

Here are my measurements,
height - 182cm
inseam - 82cm
saddle height - 73.5cm
fram size - 54


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Old 12-16-11, 09:00 AM
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K&K_Dad
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is it just an illusion or does your saddle look like it's pointing to the sky?
I'm no fitter just an average joe but I don't know if I'd raise your saddle any. it looks like you're already extending your leg enough, maybe just a little to much.
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Old 12-16-11, 09:13 AM
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You don't look too far off. For me, I would move my saddle a ways back.

I caution you against putting too much stock in an internet 'fit' however. Is the bike yours? I suggest that given your investment, another $150 on a pro fit is a bit of a 'no-brainer'.

Here's a timely article on the subject: https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...-2011#Section1
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Old 12-16-11, 09:21 AM
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kiserkm
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Originally Posted by K&K_Dad
is it just an illusion or does your saddle look like it's pointing to the sky?
I'm no fitter just an average joe but I don't know if I'd raise your saddle any. it looks like you're already extending your leg enough, maybe just a little to much.
I think it looks like that because the front wheel block is higher the trainer. It is flat when sitting on the ground.
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Old 12-16-11, 09:25 AM
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It's my bike, but I dont have a shop where I live (Armenia). Thanks for the replies. I tried to fit myself using Hogg's approach because it made sense to me. I tried KOPS but always felt bunched up even with a 130mm stem.
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Old 12-16-11, 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by K&K_Dad
...it looks like you're already extending your leg enough, maybe just a little to much.

Agree. A little too much IMO.
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Old 12-16-11, 09:34 AM
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i mean a) internet video fitting is not the best idea

but B) internet video fitting with a weird angle is totally pointless.

set the camera level withe the top tube, on a level surface, perpendicular to the bike. level the bike on the block.

anyone who would try to diagnose your fit based on this video is kidding themselves.
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Old 12-16-11, 09:36 AM
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Quel
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I think you look to be about a medium jersey. I hope my comment on your fit is helpful in finally finding a shirt to wear. I also have trouble finding clothes that fit properly, so I understand.
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Old 12-16-11, 09:49 AM
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kiserkm
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Originally Posted by badhat
i mean a) internet video fitting is not the best idea

but B) internet video fitting with a weird angle is totally pointless.

set the camera level withe the top tube, on a level surface, perpendicular to the bike. level the bike on the block.

anyone who would try to diagnose your fit based on this video is kidding themselves.
Sorry about that, I will take a new video with a chair or something holding the camera. Thanks for the adive.
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Old 12-16-11, 09:56 AM
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dude, some mediums = too big.
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Old 12-16-11, 10:50 AM
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Your between 5'9" and 5'10" with a 32.24" inseam and ride a 54cm frame? I would think 56-58cm but I could be wrong.

I'm 5'11" with a 33" inseam and ride a 56cm frame, and a seat height of 30"

How do you measure inseam, buy your pant size or bike inseam?

In my opinion the bike looks too small.
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Old 12-16-11, 10:58 AM
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All the caveats aside, you look a tad too far forward or compressed to me and the pelvis/lower back doesn't seem fully rotated as a result.

And that advice is worth about what you paid for it.
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Old 12-16-11, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
Your between 5'9" and 5'10" with a 32.24" inseam and ride a 54cm frame? I would think 56-58cm but I could be wrong.

I'm 5'11" with a 33" inseam and ride a 56cm frame, and a seat height of 30"

How do you measure inseam, buy your pant size or bike inseam?

In my opinion the bike looks too small.
So you're taller than him, and you ride a 56, and for some reason that makes you think he should be on a 56-58?

Nah. He's on the right bike. You could actually ride most 54's too. And that might be the best choice if you were really flexible and racing competitively.
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Old 12-16-11, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by wkg
So you're taller than him, and you ride a 56, and for some reason that makes you think he should be on a 56-58?

Nah. He's on the right bike. You could actually ride most 54's too. And that might be the best choice if you were really flexible and racing competitively.
At his height and inseam all the charts I've seen point to a 56cm frame. I don't ride competitively so I guess I fit more for comfort so a little larger frame is the ticket.

I still feel he looks too cramped up on that bike.

Try the online fit system here and see what you come up with. https://www.competitivecyclist.com/
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Old 12-16-11, 12:05 PM
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wkg
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
At his height and inseam all the charts I've seen point to a 56cm frame. I don't ride competitively so I guess I fit more for comfort so a little larger frame is the ticket.

I still feel he looks too cramped up on that bike.

Try the online fit system here and see what you come up with. https://www.competitivecyclist.com/
Meh. I don't know what charts you're looking at. A lot of those charts are outdated and/or just wrong. And it's all going to vary a lot based on the geometry of the bike. A Specialized 58 would typically be for someone 6'0-6'1". A 56 is usually pretty perfect for 5'11".

Here's how we teach new bike shop employees to do an initial size:

"What size are you?"
"56"
"Ok, so if somebody comes in and they're a little bit shorter than you, one size down. If they're a little bit taller, one size up. If they're a few inches shorter, two sizes down. Etc"

Barring unusual body proportions in either the sizer or the sizee this works to get people on the right bike 90% of the time. In a doubtful situation the customer is put on two different sizes and observed/questioned about how it feels.

So in your case, if the OP is about 2 inches shorter than you with a 1 inch shorter inseam (overall smaller), and you're confident about your bike size, why would you put him on the same size (or larger as you said) bike as you?
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Old 12-16-11, 12:06 PM
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i'm 5'10 and ride a 52 with a 120 stem.

i like the low stack i can get w the handbars.

plus all things equal, smaller is lighter and stiffer.
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Old 12-16-11, 12:47 PM
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OK, here is a chart from Felt and what tey recommend. Just seems to me people selling bikes want to put a person on a smaller frame for some unknown reason. This is only one there many others that put him on a 56cm as well. As far as I go, I have always rode a 58cm and my Cannondale is my first 56cm bike.

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/Sing...ke-Sizing.aspx
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Old 12-16-11, 12:52 PM
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You have to take into account the bike's use though. It's fine to size up if it gets you more comfortable on a bike for randos, centuries, etc. But this guy is riding a very sporty bike, I think we can assume he wants a sporty fit. And that generalizes to something like: "the smallest possible frame that allows your fore/aft saddle position."
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Old 12-16-11, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
OK, here is a chart from Felt and what tey recommend. Just seems to me people selling bikes want to put a person on a smaller frame for some unknown reason. This is only one there many others that put him on a 56cm as well. As far as I go, I have always rode a 58cm and my Cannondale is my first 56cm bike.

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/Sing...ke-Sizing.aspx
Felt's chart is consistent with everything I said above.

People selling bikes will typically recommend a smaller size rather than a larger if a customer is in between because it's easier to get a perfect fit dialed in on a slightly smaller bike without compromises.

If a customer goes with the smaller size it's easy to get extra set back or a longer stem to get them fit perfectly. If they go with the larger size at a certain point they're pretty much screwed when it comes to fit; i.e. once the fore/aft is dialed in they realize that they are too stretched out and then the only option is to put an 80 mm stem on the bike. And putting a shorter stem negatively affects the handling.

Inevitably somebody will chime in saying that a shorter stem doesn't affect handling but it does. Especially if you're going to be riding in a 20+ mph paceline or descending at 45+.
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Old 12-16-11, 01:00 PM
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And if a customer wants a really upright, comfortable position the best bet is usually to get them on a long wheel base/tall head tube geometry rather than go a frame size up on an aggressive geometry.
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Old 12-16-11, 02:52 PM
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Thanks for all the input. I have been cycling for 3 years, have always had a 54. I have been training seriously for 2 seasons now. I am starting to wonder if a 56 would make more sense.

I will try to take a better video in the morning, but its 1am here now and i need to get some rest.
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Old 12-16-11, 03:24 PM
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I think the 54 is correct. I am taller and fit on a 56 of the same bike. The head would be too tall on the larger frame requiring for a more downard angle on the stem to obtain the same drop. reshoot the video. pull back some so we can see the bottom of the pedal stroke as well. What size crank arm do you have?
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Old 12-17-11, 02:24 AM
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thanks to everyone for their input. If you sent me a private message I apologize, as I cannot send messages back with less than 50 posts



I took this new video without the crazy angle. Check it out. Thanks again for everyones input.
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Old 12-17-11, 02:37 AM
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forgot to add. They are 175mm cranks.
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Old 12-17-11, 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
OK, here is a chart from Felt and what tey recommend. Just seems to me people selling bikes want to put a person on a smaller frame for some unknown reason. This is only one there many others that put him on a 56cm as well. As far as I go, I have always rode a 58cm and my Cannondale is my first 56cm bike.

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/Sing...ke-Sizing.aspx
Not me.
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