Inseam vs Bike size, etc...

[SR500]

Hi,

I'm getting ready to order a new bike, the problem is it's brand new so none available to ride. I've narrowed it down, ridden many similar bikes, and talked with almost everyone I could, the problem is I still don't know what size to order. LBS thinks either a 50 or 52 would work, but I’m still not 100% sure. I afraid if I go with the 52, I could end up with a very short stem. I think the 50 is the safer buy as it has only slightly shorter top tube. So any thoughts? I’m just shy of 5’5” barefoot, with a 31” inseam.

Many Thanks…

P.S. I think the LBS is correct that either bike could work well, I’m just trying to get the optimal fit.

[KnottedYet]

What is the standover height for each size? (what is the bike model and brand, too?)

[VeloVT]

Whether you should have a 50 or a 52 depends on what bike you're looking at, since different bikes have different geometries.

Can they order both so you can try both? It seems a bit unreasonable to make you order one size, sight unseen. I think it's pretty hard to look at a set of abstract numbers on a geometry chart and know which size is going to feel better, unless you've been riding for a very long time.

[rij73]

More info about the bike, and we can maybe help! I went through all this recently myself. Most manufacturers publish a "standover height", and if they don't, you can usually get one if you call or email.

[SR500]

Sorry, I should have added that. It’s a new ’08 Madone 5.1 WSD. Stand over is basically a non-issue since it’s a compact geometry. I’ve been on a ’07 and the 51 WSD fits perfectly, but not only did Trek change the geometry, but the sizing as well. I’m not that aggressive, so DH thinks the 50 might give me a little more comfort with the shorter top tube, but always good to ask the girls?

I've asked about ordering 2 bikes, but the LBS is very small and might end up with the bike I don't choose for a long time, however the demand for WSD's seems to be thur the roof.

Thanks

[dianne_1234]

Sorry, I should have added that. It’s a new ’08 Madone 5.1 WSD. Stand over is basically a non-issue since it’s a compact geometry. I’ve been on a ’07 and the 51 WSD fits perfectly, but not only did Trek change the geometry, but the sizing as well. I’m not that aggressive, so DH thinks the 50 might give me a little more comfort with the shorter top tube, but always good to ask the girls?

I've asked about ordering 2 bikes, but the LBS is very small and might end up with the bike I don't choose for a long time, however the demand for WSD's seems to be thur the roof.

Thanks

Maybe ask here? The author seems pretty helpful in recommending sizing:
http://trekroad.typepad.com/trekroad/2007/06/what_size_madon.html

[boy in a kilt]

I've had to deal with the standover size in two different ways:

SGTiger has short legs and a long body. I have long legs and a short body (look at a picture of Christopher Walken, that's about how I'm proportioned).

Put another way, I'm 5'9" and the Boss is 5'1". Standing she comes to my chin. If we are sitting side by side, the top of her head meets my eyes.

If you take a look at her bike (see the photo posted in the Brooks Picture forum), her frame was built to accomodate the shorter standover height she needs. Hence the semi-mixte frame thing she has going on. They compensated for her long body by using a longer stem.

My bike is a 57cm. When the bike was built for me, they had a problem making the top tube short enough to be comfortable with me without causing toe overlap with my front wheel. Because of my long legs, I use 175mm cranks. I use a short stem and I still had to get one with some rise to it so I'd be comfortable.

Women's bikes are generally designed for someone with my proportions. I actually tried a WSD out once out of curiosity and it was pretty close to right.

So, there are a couple of take-home points here. Have your LBS fit you as best they can. You are pretty much locked into standover height but if the reach is just a little wrong, you can make it up with stem length.

[SR500]

Maybe ask here? The author seems pretty helpful in recommending sizing:
http://trekroad.typepad.com/trekroad/2007/06/what_size_madon.html

Thank you, best help I've had. DH got on the blog and Trek answered all the questions we had. So I'm going to get a 52 instead of the 50 we ordered. I hope it might be a little quicker delivery - we will see.

Thanks agian