Orbea Dama/Diva Sizing Help

[seredni]

I found a number of posts for Orbea sizing on TE, but I'm still confused. Orbea says that someone 5' 6" (my height on a good day) should select a 53 cm Dama (can't find sizing for Diva). However, members here around that height say they ride a 48 or 49, the latter of which is what I'm currently riding on a men's Klein. My inseam is 30 in. I don't want to go to my LBS because I'm not planning on purchasing new. My husband's a bike mechanic so he can adjust to make a frame fit as long as it's in the ball park. I'd prefer a smaller than a larger frame. Any suggestions?

[Owlie]

Welcome to TE!

You're roughly my height and inseam. (I'm a little taller than you with a 31.mumblety" inseam). What's the top tube length? I need a 52-54cm in most women's road bikes in terms of leg length, but since I have a super-short torso, I need the top tube length on something a size smaller, so next time I buy a bike, that's what I'm going with. It's a balancing act, for sure. The numbers on the manufacturer's website is for the "average" person...so that guideline may or may not pertain to you.

I would suggest that you go to your LBS and at least try it, since you'll have to bring in the bike to them for servicing anyway. (And from what I read around here, shops make most of their money on services rather than selling bikes. The profit margin on those is pretty slim.)

[WindingRoad]

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

This might help :)

[indysteel]

Do you know what the geometry is for your Klein? Compare that to the the Orbea if you can. Are you otherwise comfortable on your Klein? If your inseam really is 30, you have relatively short legs for your height, which makes me wonder if that number is correct. Keep in mind that your inseam for bike fitting purposes doesn't necessarily follow what inseam your pants are. As a point of reference, I'm 5'4 with a 29 inch inseam and my legs are pretty short for my height.

That said, saying that you have short legs or a long torso doesn't tell you everything you need to know for picking the right size. As it relates to leg length, somebody might have short legs, but relatively long femurs. That will impact fit. I, for instance, have long femurs, so my saddle has to go way back to get my knees in the right position relative to my pedals. For that reason, I do best on bikes with relatively slack seat tube angles. As it relates to torso length, a long torso doesn't necessarily mean that you need a long top tube. How much reach a rider needs is partly a function of hamstring and low back flexibility, as well as arm length. For people who are disproportionate, like myself, certain bike geometries (and, hence, certain brands, just will not work for me). If I were you, I'd do my best to test ride some Orbeas before buying used. If that means POing your LBS off, well, then do it. Better that than buy a used bike that doesn't fit. With all deference to your husband, sometimes there's only so much you can do to make a bike fit.

[Seajay]

(And from what I read around here, shops make most of their money on services rather than selling bikes. The profit margin on those is pretty slim.)
Couldn't resist the slight hijack. I can't speak for all shops. But for ours this is certainly NOT the case. Even though bikes are low profit margin...Volume of dollars in bikes far outweighs those in service and supports the shop.

[seredni]

Thank you for the suggestions. I went to the web site, plugged in my measurements and will use this info to figure things out. I also realized my inseam is longer--30.5.

Now I just need to wait out an Orbea Dama that's my size on ebay and with the components I want. I've been drooling over the Orbeas for years . . . Now that my son is twelve he gets the Klein and I get a "new to me" Orbea.