Size question

[grey]

Yes, I'm a dork. I'm posting TWO basic questions in ONE week. :D

I want off the mountain bike. I want off it bad, because 35 mile rides on a mountain bike are interfering with the idea of oneness and zen.

I found a bike on Craigslist in my area, a Fuji Roubaix, brand spanking new. Problem: It's a 56 frame and by the usual measuring procedures, I should look at a 54.

Can the bike be adjusted? Am I better off cooling my heels and waiting for a 54 to come along? Or should I just try out a few bikes with each frame size and see which feels better (duh?). I'm sure I can try out this bike before I plunk down the cash, but I want to know if it's even a good idea to bother trying a size bigger before I drive an hour and a half to try this out.

Thanks for putting up with a dork.

[crazycanuck]

Umm, you're not a dork for asking!

[jesvetmed]

GREY: This is from VERY limited knowledge -- but I believe that measurement is from ground to base of seat post? So, in general, what will be the limiting factor is the length of your legs. If you go lower, a few adjustments could make up for it, but if it's too tall, you cannot get the pedals up in any way, and may not be able to reach the ground while standing over it. That's how I'd look at it But, if you aren't sure about your size based on bikes you've ridden, then go try some out. You at least can tell if that's ok or way too high.

Also, your LBS may be able to be useful in helping you decide on the size of bike that will fit you best. You could test some out there. Although, not planing on buying from them, I'd not ask too much time from them!

Good luck!
Jes

[Becky]

Nothing wrong with asking questions!

Be advised that bike sizes are kind of like clothing sizes: different manufacturers measure differently, and different styles fit differently. So a bike size is never an absolute.

FWIW, Fuji measures center to top (from the center of the BB shell to the top of the seat post), rather than center to center (center of BB shell to center of seat post-top tube joint) like many brands do. Makes it hard to compare sizes, especially when you factor in different frame angles, effective top tube, etc. IMO, reach is the more critical measurement. A bike that's too long or too short is never going to be comfy, and you can only do so much with changing stem length.

DH has a Fuji in the stable, and it's a 56, just like his Cannondale was and the Specialized is. In each case, the reach to the bars "drove" the size, not the amount of standover height (and no, he's not long-legged ;) )

If it were me, I'd either try to ride the CL bike before buying or I'd go to my local Fuji dealer and try to ride a few models to get a sense of how they fit. Heck, I'd ride a few different brands, just for the experience and comparison.

Good luck! I know how the "want-bike" bug just knaws away at you! *is recovering from said syndrome after waiting 2 months for the new MTB*

[grey]

Thanks gals!

OK, I think I will pass on this one. I'm just itchin' for a bike (omg, the dreams I have at night!) but better off taking my time and getting the right bike and not goofing up.

In other words, don't look at Craigslist when it's after midnight and you've been up since 5, and spent most of the day working in the sun.

[parity]

You can try doing a fitting on yourself by using an online fit calculator:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Ultimately, riding the bike will tell you what it feels like. Manufacturers use different ways of measuring what a 54 or a 56 is. Some will use bottom bracket to top tube while others will use top tube length. So a 56 by one manufacturer could be a 54 by another depending on which measurement they are using. I would look at these two components, top tube length and bottom bracket to top tube length. This will tell you how much you need to raise your staddle (bottom bracket to top tube) and how long of a stem you may need (top tube length).

It also gets more complicated on how these things are measure like center to center or center to top. And with sloping top tubes the mesaurement is the "virtual" length. They usually have these measurements on the frame manufacturer's web site.

[mimitabby]

I recommend you go to a bike shop and find out what size road bike fits you
and go from there. and yes, all manufacturers are a little different.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I'm guessing you are riding the mtb on the road and not on the dirt. There is zen in dirt too ya know :)

Anyway, I was in the same position as you, but I had bought a 'hybrid' to ride to work and realized it was just like riding a mtb. I then got slicks. What a difference. So my point is, it sounds like you might need something in between for now, how about putting slicks on your bike until you find the right bike? Just a thought....Unless you are riding a mtb with slicks already!

[grey]

Yeah, no slicks on the mtb.

Actually, today a fellow rider brought along his wife's road bike for me today (it came with a disclaimer: he bears no responsibility to my husband should I run out this weekend and buy a bike).

WHOW what a difference! I think I could ride an extra 15 miles no problem. Hers was a 53 inch so I know now, that's too small. I'm trying out a 54 inch on Sunday & we'll see how that feels. Wish me luck. :)

[Serious1]

I would like to start riding again for weight loss and know that their are a lot of different styles of bicycles out there. I am about 6' tall and at 230 lbs.(female) can anyone lead me in the right direction as far as styles/names. I would appreciate it! Thanks so much...