Sizing Selecting Handle Bar and stem

[awesme]

Hi all

 

I ride a Merida 1-20 16 inch frame atm, well thats the frame, the rest is not so original, hehehe,

 

I'm busy looking at putting together a 27.5 as some might have figured out and looking at what I want to put onto the build.

 

How do I select my frame size, This will most probably be a China frame imported and then build up myself.

 

So questions like, how long a stem and what raise do I select, the handle bar's, can I go with a flat bar or a bar with a raise.

 

Or can I pull these geometry numbers from my current configuration and some how transpose onto the new build?

 

G

[Tankman]

Do you want to "skat, meet en pas" or do you want to do it the correct way?

 

Essentially the One Twenty has a trail geometry, slightly more relaxed and upright than for example a cross country bike like the 96, more racy and leaning forward.

 

If you are not getting the same type of bike again, the geometry of another bike will differ.

 

The big question, is your current setup 100% correct and are you on the right size frame. Too often guys want to "copy" their setup from the old bike but then the old bike is either too big or too small.

 

The correct way would be to go for an ErgoFit measurement.

The results will give you your effective top tube length so you will know which size mtb or road bike to get. The top tube length is the most important to consider when buying a bike. You will also be given the recommended reach and stem length. The stem length might need to be changed once you have the frame.

 

You might require an effective top tube of 55cm with 100mm stem but the frame with the closes geometry has a 54cm top tube, then you could change to a 110mm stem, for example.

 

Once you have the frame and you can sit on the bike, it is much easier to fine tune your position and make adjustment to your setup than thumb sucking numbers without seeing you on the bike.

Edited August 18, 2012 by Tankman

[awesme]

Tankman

 

Thanks for the answer, made totally sense,

 

I'm pretty sure my bike size is correct atm, I'm a shortly, 1.68m

 

As for current configuration, i'm close I'd say, but I do want to go and have it improved, I end with numb hands at times, left knee was bend out of design direction 2 xmas's ago, but that will be pedal/cleat match.

 

So, I'm guessing my current top bar tube length + current stem length is pretty accurate. only question would be the rise, which I'm thinking is probably related to seat heigh?

 

G

[awesme]

Question, when I bought the 1-20 I did not pay attention to what it was designed for, I left comfortable on it, and was told it would work for what I planned after telling the sales guy, slow'ish technical riding 20-30km is my plans.

 

So it's labelled Trail? Thinking what I need to look for when looking for a 27.5 FS frame.

 

on the other hand, what the ergo fit will give me is the numbers, which mean i will be able to order the right stem to make the bike fit first time round, instead of gettting "special bit" just to discover it's to short of flat. - agree

G

 

Do you want to "skat, meet en pas" or do you want to do it the correct way?

 

Essentially the One Twenty has a trail geometry, slightly more relaxed and upright than for example a cross country bike like the 96, more racy and leaning forward.

 

If you are not getting the same type of bike again, the geometry of another bike will differ.

 

The big question, is your current setup 100% correct and are you on the right size frame. Too often guys want to "copy" their setup from the old bike but then the old bike is either too big or too small.

 

The correct way would be to go for an ErgoFit measurement.

The results will give you your effective top tube length so you will know which size mtb or road bike to get. The top tube length is the most important to consider when buying a bike. You will also be given the recommended reach and stem length. The stem length might need to be changed once you have the frame.

 

You might require an effective top tube of 55cm with 100mm stem but the frame with the closes geometry has a 54cm top tube, then you could change to a 110mm stem, for example.

 

Once you have the frame and you can sit on the bike, it is much easier to fine tune your position and make adjustment to your setup than thumb sucking numbers without seeing you on the bike.

[Tankman]

Tankman

 

Thanks for the answer, made totally sense,

 

I'm pretty sure my bike size is correct atm, I'm a shortly, 1.68m

 

As for current configuration, i'm close I'd say, but I do want to go and have it improved, I end with numb hands at times, left knee was bend out of design direction 2 xmas's ago, but that will be pedal/cleat match.

 

So, I'm guessing my current top bar tube length + current stem length is pretty accurate. only question would be the rise, which I'm thinking is probably related to seat heigh?

 

G

 

I am not convinced that your setup is correct when you are experiencing numb hands or bent knees

 

1.68m can be border line 16" or 18" depending on whether you have long legs with short torso or short legs with long torso.

You need much more than just your total length measured to determine your correct bike size.

 

Then you also have to take in consideration that not every manufacturer follows the same geometries. A small in one brand might have a 2cm longer effective top tube than a small from another brand.

 

Rise or drop will change the angle of your shoulders and lower back and your saddle height will have an influence on all of these angles.

[awesme]

hmmm

 

I'm pretty much even build, not long legs, not long torso.

 

as for knee's, don't think it is bend at end, don't recall, think it is more either toe in or toe out at complete extension.

 

sounds like my first task is a ergo fit or similar so that i can get total lengths, measurements.

 

my thinking numb hands are maybe torso is to far forward, to much weight onto hands?

 

G

 

I am not convinced that your setup is correct when you are experiencing numb hands or bent knees

 

1.68m can be border line 16" or 18" depending on whether you have long legs with short torso or short legs with long torso.

You need much more than just your total length measured to determine your correct bike size.

 

Then you also have to take in consideration that not every manufacturer follows the same geometries. A small in one brand might have a 2cm longer effective top tube than a small from another brand.

 

Rise or drop will change the angle of your shoulders and lower back and your saddle height will have an influence on all of these angles.

[Tankman]

hmmm

 

I'm pretty much even build, not long legs, not long torso.

 

as for knee's, don't think it is bend at end, don't recall, think it is more either toe in or toe out at complete extension.

 

sounds like my first task is a ergo fit or similar so that i can get total lengths, measurements.

 

my thinking numb hands are maybe torso is to far forward, to much weight onto hands?

 

G

 

We all like to think we are evenly built but that is not always the case

 

It would be a guess as to your problem with numb hands ... without seeing your position on the bike.

 

There was a thread a while back of guys that offer the Erogfit service in your area, go get your effective top tube length, check your chosen manufactures geometry for the correct size and off you go.

[awesme]

heheheh

 

point taken, I saw 4ways Cycle Lab does Ergofit, so already dropped Dean a email to setup an appointment with Nic.

 

G

 

We all like to think we are evenly built but that is not always the case

 

It would be a guess as to your problem with numb hands ... without seeing your position on the bike.

 

There was a thread a while back of guys that offer the Erogfit service in your area, go get your effective top tube length, check your chosen manufactures geometry for the correct size and off you go.