What size bike frame - Advice Please

[iammap]

I am starting to look at buying a drop bar roadie to commute to and from work on a semi regular basis.The distance to work is 50k

I am not sure what size bike frame I should be looking at, since I am 182.5cm tall but only have an inseam of 79cm. According to the sizing chart at ebicycles I should fit a frame size of 57 to 59 for my height, but my inseam suggests I should be looking at a frame size of 54.

What frame size would be best and what could I change to ensure the bike fits me properly.

Thanks in advance
Michael

[TDC]

Check this site out. It is quite helpful, and can steer you in right direction.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

[sherlock]

Top tube/seat tube length should not be relied upon as a sole measurement. Stack/reach are what's important, but to be honest, just go to a shop and try a few bikes. You'll narrow things down fairly quickly.

[jacks1071]

I am starting to look at buying a drop bar roadie to commute to and from work on a semi regular basis.The distance to work is 50k

I am not sure what size bike frame I should be looking at, since I am 182.5cm tall but only have an inseam of 79cm. According to the sizing chart at ebicycles I should fit a frame size of 57 to 59 for my height, but my inseam suggests I should be looking at a frame size of 54.

What frame size would be best and what could I change to ensure the bike fits me properly.

Thanks in advance
Michael

In a Pro-Lite you'd be a size 54.

Different brands however use different geometry and different ways of sizing the bikes so you can't really compare them with the size number - you really need to look at the geometry charts.

[Nobody]

Top tube/seat tube length should not be relied upon as a sole measurement. Stack/reach are what's important...

True, but the calculator posted by TDC above doesn't have an output in reach and stack. Reach and stack is mainly helpful if you already have a road bike to take measurements from.

Iammap,
Just keep in mind that the output from the calculator (effective top tube) is with reference to average frame angles. The seat tube angle is going to make far more difference than the head tube angle. For example, if the seat tube angle is lower in value than average for a bike of your size, then the reach for the same ETT is going to be slightly shorter.
http://www.rivbike.com/v/vspfiles/asset ... xcerpt.pdf

Having said that, I have personally used the calculator above for two bikes and got remarkably good results from it.

[TDC]

Michael,

I have the same inseam measurement as you, but am only 169 cm tall. A 57 or 59 cm bike could be a problem for you with regards to saddle height, and also with the corresponding head tube length. ie seat will be very low and n relation to the handlebars which will be high.

You might need a frame that has a long top tube and comparatively short seat tube & head tube.

[satanas]

Stack and reach are useful, but do not give the whole story as they only relate the position of the top of the head tube relative to the bottom bracket. Seat position is ignored, so if you need a particularly forward or (more likely on a road bike) rearward position, stack + reach don't help, and one needs to look instead at seat angle, seat post offset (not often stated in an understandable or standard format) and saddle rail length and position.

Ultimately *all* dimensions need to be considered to be sure a frame will fit, and hopefully without needing extra long or short stems or weird seatposts.

[Nobody]

Stack and reach are useful, but do not give the whole story as they only relate the position of the top of the head tube relative to the bottom bracket. Seat position is ignored, so if you need a particularly forward or (more likely on a road bike) rearward position, stack + reach don't help, and one needs to look instead at seat angle, seat post offset (not often stated in an understandable or standard format) and saddle rail length and position.

Ultimately *all* dimensions need to be considered to be sure a frame will fit, and hopefully without needing extra long or short stems or weird seatposts.

Agree, but taking all angles into consideration can be a bit daunting for a first timer.

Being short, I've got the problem you describe above with saddle position, but I find almost all frames for my ETT have either 74 or 74.5 degree STAs. So because I have a Brooks Pro and 165mm cranks to complicate matters, I've ordered a seatpost with a 40mm setback. I could get a custom frame, but the seatpost is far cheaper.

[Nobody]

I'd thought I'd add the Baum geometry diagram here as it shows most important measurements clearly.

http://www.baumcycles.com/bikes/espresso

I also noticed from my measurements with the Surly CC, that the Baum with almost the same ETT (TT above) of 53cm has a reach 2.2cm shorter than the Surly. Shows what a difference 1.5 degrees of STA can make. I'd prefer the Baum's 73 deg STA, but it's just a wee bit out of my price range.

[Nobody]

Because I can't edit the statement in post above, I'll correct it here to say it probably should be closer to 1.5cm difference, rather than 2.2cm.

Also adding this useful explanation of effective reach and seat tube angles from Rivendell.
http://www.rivbike.com/v/vspfiles/asset ... xcerpt.pdf