Printable View
I just came back from test riding an Alloy Synapse Fem. The guy that took my measurements told me I'd fit best on a 54 cm men's model. A new guy (same shop) looked at my measurements today and told me the best fit was a 50 cm women's model. :confused:
So which is it? I am 5'8" and not very long-legged... The 50 cm felt fine except when I was riding upright - then it felt a little cramped. It was really nice riding on the hoods, though. But 50 cm?? That just sounds so small to me.
My road race bike and my TT bike are mens and womens, and not the same sizes exactly (I'd have to go measure cause I can't remember, and its 6:30am and cold and dark outside...)
But I would suggest you sit on them, get measured and fitted for the 50cm as well and then go for a ride on it so you can compare with the 54cm...
My TT bike is smaller because of the position I ride in... but you are right - a 4cm difference in frame size is significant...
I got measured a few times by the shop I bought my bike from. The first few times they put me on unisex and wsd 50cm frames and i felt very stretched out, even though they insisted it was the right size and that they would fit it to me by adapting parts, etc. By chance the manager said, 'oh well you might do okay on a 47cm we have in wsd'. It sounded tiny, but I tried it and felt okay.
I will say this, like you, I feel kinda crunched in an upright/flats position, but the hoods are very nice and the drops are a dreeeeeam. Who needs to use the flats if you can ride all day in the drops? I have never had a body pain issue with my bike, it is as comfortable as taking a nap!
Anyway, have you ridden the larger size frame? Sometimes a size is just a suggestion, and maybe your body will do better on the smaller frame. Or maybe you'll prove that second guy wrong. Either way I think you need to ride both, on the same day, to compare them.
K.
Years back (2002) when I bought my Lemond, I had to choose between a 51 cm and a 53 cm... I choose the 51 but wish I choose the 53. I'm 5'8" and am evenly proportioned. My legs are not short but neither are they long like some women and I have shortest arms so I was afraid of my reach and being able to access the brakes and shifters. Of course then I rode more upright. Probably, if the store had one, I would have purchased a 53 cm WSD bike, but alas I did not.
I've now been able to get into a more aerodynamic positioned and have lengthened my reach considerably. The 53 cm would be just right but every bike is totally different. Some (like the Lemond) have longer top tubes, some shorter. Bikes are measured differently.
WSD designs generally have shorter top tubes. A 50 cm WSD bike should have you sitting nearly upright. Is that what you want?
I would really ask him to explain why such a discrepancy between the two measurements. The 50 cm WSD sounds awfully small... like the shop has a bike it can't sell and they found a pansy.
Best thing to do is spend $100 and have a proper fitting and then find the bike that fits the recommendations best. Good luck!!!