Road bike size

[Ngamla]

I want to buy a second hand road bike and I need assistance with the bike sizes I should consider. I am 175 tall and my inseam is 84.9.

[shaper]

here and online calculator to give you and idea http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer

 

Also a more in-depth one http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

[Thomo]

Sounds like medium.

But torso and arm lengths play a role as does the geometry of the bike, and riding style.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

54-56cm. You can play around with fit as well, so not the end of the world if it's not 'perfect'

[Job]

54-56cm. You can play around with fit as well, so not the end of the world if it's not 'perfect'

it looks like I must buy a 58cm according to the online calculator.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

it looks like I must buy a 58cm according to the online calculator.

I don't know what calculater that is, but I'm 173 and ride a 56. I just can't get the preferred saddle fore-aft position, even with a zero layback seatpost and the saddle moved completely forward.

 

Frame sizing is also quite subjective sometimes with compact frames etc.; but try before you buy, and it's always easier to get a longer stem, which improves handling at higher speeds and looks waaaay better... Seriously though, Pro's also do this, albeit for improved stiffness...

[Pure Savage]

it looks like I must buy a 58cm according to the online calculator.

Umm, I am 178 and ride a 54cm. 

 

When you buying a road bike, first you buy a 130mm stem, then build the bike up behind that.

[Job]

I don't know what calculater that is, but I'm 173 and ride a 56. I just can't get the preferred saddle fore-aft position, even with a zero layback seatpost and the saddle moved completely forward.

 

Frame sizing is also quite subjective sometimes with compact frames etc.; but try before you buy, and it's always easier to get a longer stem, which improves handling at higher speeds and looks waaaay better... Seriously though, Pro's also do this, albeit for improved stiffness...

I wanted to say he (Ngamla) should buy a 58cm bike. I used the link shared by shaper to calculate.

[Eugene]

There is no way that Ngamla should be on a 58. Considering his inseam, he should be on a 54, maybe a 56 at a push.

 

Ngamla, when choosing a bike, also consider that some brands have different sizing. For example, a 56 is normally a large, in some brands a 54 or even a 52 could be a large. These variances normally result from the angle of the top tube. Brands like Giant and Raleigh have sloping top tubes which affects where measurements are taken

[Daxiet]

Your total height makes for a nice compact ride on a Medium frame, your inseam means a slightly higher seat position on a Medium, but your short upper body in relation to inseam means that a large or typical 56cm frame will be a stretch. Too stretched for a stem change to resolve. Plus handling is impacted by shorter than ideal stems.

 

Look at the frame geometry of each bike you are interested in, IMO top tube for your upper body should not exceed 560mm. That means S/M Merida, M Giant/Scott, M Spez.

[Karman de Lange]

Pay R 1500 for proper bike fit, then take that measurements and go look for right geometry , might even be that you have to go for brand you don't like . . . . .

 

[Ngamla]

Pay R 1500 for proper bike fit, then take that measurements and go look for right geometry , might even be that you have to go for brand you don't like . . . . .

 

Thanks everyone for the advises. @Karman, I will do a proper bike fit after buying a second hand bike. But I don't want to buy a wrong frame size and only to find that it can't be fitted when I do bike fit.

[Karman de Lange]

Thanks everyone for the advises. @Karman, I will do a proper bike fit after buying a second hand bike. But I don't want to buy a wrong frame size and only to find that it can't be fitted when I do bike fit.

 

Thats why said, get bike fit before buying ... all proper fits measure you on a "adjustable" bike and give you all dimensions of what should work. You don't need bicycle to get fitted.

 

I'm sure you can then arrange with them to then adjust your "new" bike to fit you once you bought it.

[shaper]

Maybe also go to a few bike shops and ask them to give you an idea of what bike size, sit on a few and get a feel to see what feels good.

 

R1500 is for a full bike set-up and not what you need not having a bike yet.

 

Cyclefit in Joburg offer a Frame sizing consultation for R495 http://www.cyclefit.co.za/road-bike-setup.html, they will also give you a credit on that if you go with your newly bought bike for a standard bike set up