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Hello!
I have been injured and had to give up running for a while and was told to cylce instead. My husband just picked me up a used bike. It is a 49cm Kona Jake. I am 5"4. The top tube seems a little long but because I have no experience with this style of bike (I have been riding a 'mommy' hybrid) I am not sure how it should feel.
Any input is welcome!
Also, can I take this bike to a bike shop and have them look at me on it?
Thanks!
If you are use to a bike where you sit up more and are switching to a road bike, then it will probably feel like you are reaching. I know I felt like I was falling over all the time when I first started riding a road bike, but you have to just keep riding to get use to it. I would definitely call local bike shops and ask if they would check the fit for you. They may be able to suggest switching out parts (like the stem) to fit the bike better to you.
good luck!
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I am 5'4'' too and I ride a 47cm Felt, but that doesn't mean that the 49 doesn't fit you. I think you should take it to the shop and get fit, if its too big thats not good news since you just bought it, but they can work on your fit at a shop. If it is too big and you want to keep it anyway they can adjust saddle positon and stem lengths and stuff to make it fit the best it can so its a good idea to get a fitting done at a shop.
My road bike felt really wierd at first because I had been riding a mountain bike before but I got used to it. It just takes some time to get used to riding in that position, but I actually like it a lot better than my mountain bike now. :)
Lately, I've been switching between my commuter (Trek Mountain Track) and my road bike (LeMond Tourmalet) and because I ride my commuter to work everyday and my positioning is a bit less aggressive, it takes five to ten minutes to readjust to the road bike fit :)
That being said, the fit on my road bike still needs to be improved, as I am battling with neck pain and intense post-ride headaches but the main point was the difference between a more relaxed, upright fit and a more aggressive road fit.
The best thing to do would be to have yourself measured by a bike fitter to determine if the bike has the appropriate dimensions for your measurements. I, for example, have a slightly long torso for my height (5'3"-which means I have very short legs...) so I can have a longer top tube length than some of my women counterparts who have a shorter torso with longer legs.
If all else fails, have them install a stem with a high angle. Brings the handlebars closer. Since you bought it used, not much of a hole burnt in your pocket if it was wrong - you can always sell it again.
When I was shopping for my latest bike, I tried the Kona Jake. I'm 5'6" and they put me on their 52 cm. The Jake has a longer top tube, as you have noticed. I tried a few different bikes that day and I actually didn't like the Jake because I felt too outstretched on it. I preferred a more upright geometry. I felt more comfortable on the Bianchi Volpe but I ended up buying a Kona Sutra they had in stock because it was on sale, in my price range, in my size, and what I was looking for in a bike albeit heavy. I suspect that the bike probably is the right size for you but it's just the longer top tube of the Jake that is getting you. You can either get use to it or like someone said just sell it if it doesn't work out. HTH!
Thanks so much for you answers! I rode yesterday and it seemed okay actually. I also plugged my measurements into a bike fit calculator and it's a perfect match as far as numbers go. I've decided to ride it for a few months to get the feel for riding a road bike and then if I become addicted to triathlons (which is looking very possible) I will splurge on a decent road bike in the summer.
When I bought my bike it was professionally fit, and the guy thought it was near perfect for me. The first few weeks I felt like the reach as too far, but I kept riding and now it feels great. I just had to get used to the type of bike and to riding alot again. Since then I've had the fit checked by another bike fit specialist and two cycling-specialized physical therapists and we haven't changed a thing from the original fit. So ride it for a while and if it bothers you, go in for a professional fit to get everything dialed in for you.
I'm 5'4" and ride a 49cm. I have a shortish (80mm) stem and short-reach handlebars.
You can definitely ask a shop to look over your fit. I'd probably spend a couple weeks riding the bike and have your husband help you re-evaluate your fit before you head to a shop.