Can your ideal frame size change with your riding experience?

I have only really been cycling on a road bike for the last two years (I've done about 5000km). When I bought my road bike in 2006 I was sized by my LBS and bought the bike they recommended (Sarah Ulmer Brand 54" frame - similar to this but the previous year).

I've always found the fit fine but lately I'm feeling its maybe a bit short (in that I'd like to reach out a bit more). My saddle in right back on the rails so unless I change the stem I can't really get any extra length.

Is it possible that the position I cycle in now would be better suited to a larger frame? BTW I am 173 cm tall (5'8").

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Originally Posted by beetle

I have only really been cycling on a road bike for the last two years (I've done about 5000km). When I bought my road bike in 2006 I was sized by my LBS and bought the bike they recommended (Sarah Ulmer Brand 54" frame - similar to this but the previous year).

I've always found the fit fine but lately I'm feeling its maybe a bit short (in that I'd like to reach out a bit more). My saddle in right back on the rails so unless I change the stem I can't really get any extra length.

Is it possible that the position I cycle in now would be better suited to a larger frame? BTW I am 173 cm tall (5'8").

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It's very possible that you've become more flexible as you've ridden more. To address that, however, I would start with your current bike. I'd note that you should not use saddle setback to lengthen your reach. Your saddle position is largely a function of proper knee position over your pedals. Instead, you will probably want to start with a longer stem but be sure to increase your stem in small increments. You might also be able to handle a bit more saddle to bars drop. I'd start with the stem first though.

All that said, my best advice is to find a bike fitter in your area so that you can comprehensively address your fit.

I'd say the term "ideal" means suited to your riding needs and comfortable to your body.
Thus, a beginner rider who is not athletic does short flat neighborhood rides might indeed find a frame that puts her in a more upright position, and with straight bars for instance, and few gears, to be "ideal". Later on when that same rider is in better shape and wants to race or do long distance touring she would find a very different frame to be "ideal" then. People change, their bodies change, and their biking needs change.

+1 on you got more flexible. Can you get the bike refit? You may need to adjust seat position or put a new stem on it. I would pay for a bike fitting to get it dialed back in myself.

If you have an "ideal bike frame" for your bone-structure, and the fit is measured and 'perfect', then unless you have your body altered... then no, your ideal frame size should not alter.

If you go to a different configuration of bike (eg commuting bike to road race bike... or road bike to track bike) then yes, your frame size may change.

But you may need to change your seat forwards/backwards, or raise /lower your stem (handle bars) and this will alter your position. The simplest way of "lengthening" the bike is a longer stem.

You could get a seat post (not stem) with greater set-back on it.

Depending on the type of bike you have, you could try bending your elbows.

All the best... R

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Originally Posted by indysteel

I'd note that you should not use saddle setback to lengthen your reach. Your saddle position is largely a function of proper knee position over your pedals.

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+1 on this. Moving the seat affects your position over the pedals, and shouldn't be used to help out "reach" issues. Most fitters will start their fit with the saddle/pedal/leg area and then fit the front part after that.

I found when I started riding more, my bike that had felt perfectly fine before all of a sudden started feeling cramped... A longer stem, lowering the handlebars and a bit of fiddling around gave me about an extra inch of reach - it's perfect again now!!! Suspect the same will happen with my new roadbike, it will feel quite stretched at the beginning compared to the mtb, but once I get used to the different position, it will be fine.

I think your position changes more than your size. Although I think it is theoretically possible you changed sizes, most sizes can be made to overlap a fair bit with spacers, stems, etc.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I should look at a new stem then.

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It's very possible that you've become more flexible as you've ridden more. To address that, however, I would start with your current bike. I'd note that you should not use saddle setback to lengthen your reach. Your saddle position is largely a function of proper knee position over your pedals. Instead, you will probably want to start with a longer stem but be sure to increase your stem in small increments. You might also be able to handle a bit more saddle to bars drop. I'd start with the stem first though.

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Indysteel: What sort of a increase do you think would be reasonable to start with?

I think I may have the LBS look at my saddle/pedal set up as well and see that I make sure that is right before changing anything else.

I know you asked Indy, but I'll just chime in here....

Small increments in our house mean only 5mm/10mm at a time - thats 1/2 to 1 centimetre... about 1/2 and inch max.

If you are adjusting your stem (where the handlebars are) you should have/should be able to get spacers to slip on or to take off.

Personal example; I want to get lower and more aero on my TT bike, so we take one spacer out, then I ride for a couple of moths, then we remove another, and then I get my body used to that. I am ready to get lower again and will remove the last spacer after this Thursday's ITT. If I wat to get lower than that, I will need to flip the stem around...

There is an ideal height for your saddle based on how bent/straight your leg is. You'll need help for that.
If you choose to turn your seat post around so the angle changes (not all seat posts can do this) then you will need to mess around with height again. However, unless you lengthen or shorten your legs, you shouldn't need to play around with the seat height too much.