road bike fit 48 vs 50 input?

Hi all! Newbie here. Well, I am new to the forums and new to the world of road bikes, but I do own a little Kona mtn bike that I love dearly. On with my issue..

I just put down money on an 05 Dolce Comp tonight. I was looking at it and the Pilot 2.1 (womens), but figured I would go for the long haul. Here's my "issue" though...

I visited three stores. The first store told me I would need a 48 frame. The second store, which put me on a womens PIlot 2.1, took my measurements, plugged them into a computer, and told me that I needed a 50 frame. Tonight, at LBS number 3, I got the 48 frame, which the guy said was my size and which felt fine. The 50 frame felt fine as well. I'm confused? The geometry of the 2.1 and Dolce are almost identical... Should I be concerned? The only thing that needed to be done on the Dolce was the guy lowered the seat and moved it back a hair. It *felt* fine and I do trust the store, but I'm still... perplexed. Are those computer things reliable? I'm a smidden over 5 feet tall and my inseam is about a 26.5/27. :confused:

Be very careful and take a good long test ride and make sure that they have a good return policy if the frame does not fit. Some discomforts take a longer ride and not just sitting on the bike in the shop to show up. The neck and shoulder pain I used to get from a too large frame would usually only show up after 2 hours so would be pretty hard to duplicate in the bike shop.

Fit is all very personal, but I think a 48 or 50 sounds like it might be a bit big on you? I am 5' even with a 29" inseam and I ride a 44cm frame. Several caveats it definitely sounds like I have a shorter torso than you- I ride a small frame because of reach issues and not all frames of the same "size" are equal - you really need to compare overall geometries and not just the listed frame size. Top tube length, which is another important aspect of fit can vary widely on frames of the same "size" as size is based on seat tube length. You should be able to stand over the top tube with at least an inch of clearance and you shouldn't feel either stretched out or cramped up to reach the handlebars. You should be able to sit comfortably with your elbows bent and loose. If your elbows are straight and locked the frame is likely too big.

As far as computerized fit calculators go -my measurements plugged into the fit calculator of a fancy smancy to be unnamed Italian bicycle company (no its not Bianchi) come up with me fitting a 49cm or 50cm, but I think that the only reason for it is because it is the smallest frame that they make! The interest not being in my comfort, but in selling bicycles. Some bike shops do use software that is not related to any specific brand of bike, but I don't know how effective it is. Just make sure that you trust the person at the bike shop to be putting you on a bicycle that really fits, and not just trying to sell you what he stocks or happens to have around.

Anyway not to scare you, but I've been there. I used to ride a larger frame from back in the bad old days when no one actually made a smaller one and to tell you the truth I did not know until I actually rode a bike that fit me what I was missing. I really used to think my old bike was great and I resisted change for a long long time. With my new bike I am more comfortable, considerably faster and can climb hills. I grew up in Pittsburgh so I know that comfortable hill climbing will be a good thing!

Mmmmmmmm 50 sounds tall for someone your size. I'm surprised the 48 fits! It seems like you would be better suited on a 46 or 44. Are your legs and arms really long compared to torso length?
I'm 5'8" and ride a 53 Lemond. The Lemond has a long top tube so most likely I would be a 54 or 55 on some other bike but keep in mind I am 8" taller than you.

It is not unusual for the bike sizes to differs as geometry changes from one style to another. What you should be looking at is 1) reach - ie the top tube length. Can you comfortably access the shifters and brakes without bending forward too agressively (think like a racer during the Tour de France, back almost flat and level, arms bent) and 2) then is the standover adequate. The top tube length is the most important. If one of the bikes is woman specific and the other not may explain the difference in measurements but bottom line is how do you feel on the bike? Are they actually sitting you on the bike or a fit bike? Have you pedalled while seated on the bike? Does it seem comfortable to you? Or is the position agressive (ie you are bent over and stretched out to reach the shifters)? If agressive is this what you want? Do you feel you have to tippy toe to pedal or can you pedal with your foot flat?

Sometimes a bike shop needs to move a bike - many people buy the wrong size. If it's a question of not fitting on either size, get the smaller not the larger bike. You can always make adjustments to a smaller bike but to a larger, you are just stuck.

In addition to frame size, you need to look at top-tube length because that determines how far you need to reach to the handlebars.

Looking at the specs for the Dolce 48, it has a seat tube length of 43cm centre to top whereas the Pilot 2.1 50 is 45cm.

Both bikes have very similar top tube lengths, 50.6cm (Dolce) vs 50cm (Pilot) this is about 1/4 inch difference so reach will feel pretty much the same on both bikes.

Given the above, it is just a question of which bike you prefer - you need to take them out and ride around a bit, the bike store should be happy to let you do that.

Hope this helps.

I have a few books on fit floating around and they say get a general idea of frame size and then take it from there. As the girls have mentioned it can be different from bike to bike. The formula to get a rough idea is listed below.

Get your crotch to floor measurement in centimeters and then multiply this measurement by 0.65 to get frame size.

Remember this is only to get a rough idea at where to start when looking at frame size but I think you will find it comes out with a lot smaller frame than you have mentioned above.

Hope this helps.

The topic of size and height and fit, etc, has been tossed around a whole bunch under the "Bikes" sub-board of this forum. Spend some time reading through those threads, too! :)

Remember that the numbers a manufactuer puts on its website are not necessarily obtained the same way from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each can measure from a different spot on the frame. If you have the frames available, it is best to take your own tape measure and measure each one. In other words, not all 48s are not equal even from the same company.

I retook my inseam measurements with my PJs on and no shoes, versus my jeans I had on earlier, and my inseam is in fact a 28. When the second LBS took my measurements he didn't have me take my shoes off, which I did think was a bit odd at the time because they added about two inches to me. I'm guessing that's why they fitted me on a 50.

The Dolce felt good while I was on it; clearance wasn't an issue and I didn't feel like I was on an ancient stretching torture device. I jumped on a Trek 1500 just to see what it felt like at the 2nd LBS and my friend summed it up perfectly; she said "You look scared sh*tless on that thing!" I felt like I was getting ready to take off... straight into the ground.

I will dig around and look at the other posts. I can't pick up the bike until next Saturday, since it came in a tad over my budget and I have to wait until payday. The only thing I don't like about the bike is the fire red color, but I figure that the color will grow on me!

Thanks for the responses ladies!! I feel more comfortable now about the size. :)

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

Remember that the numbers a manufactuer puts on its website are not necessarily obtained the same way from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each can measure from a different spot on the frame. If you have the frames available, it is best to take your own tape measure and measure each one. In other words, not all 48s are not equal even from the same company.

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This is SO true! My 54 Colnago was a little too small, so we went to a 55 for my Merckx. Well, the Merckx measures at a different place on the tube, and it is slightly too big! :mad: We futzed with it and it works, but ideally should be one notch smaller.

I think you need someone to do a SERIOUS fit on you. Not a "lets take your inseam and height and plug it into the computer" fit, a TRUE, measure EVERYTHING fit. And I mean EVERYTHING! Every BODY is different and there are so many variables on what will make a bike truely "fit" you. And let me tell you from BAD experience.... An ill fitting bike will rear it's ugly head after a few long rides, but by then it will be too late. I enjoy cycling so much more now that I'm on a bike that truely fits my unique body. And we are all unique. Yes, a bike shop can "tweak" a bike to (sort of) "fit", and they will tell you all kinds of things to sell you a bike, but don't waste your hard earned cash until you have met w/ a serious fitter. Any really good bike shop should have a certified fitter, make an appt w/him or her and expect to spend at least an hour getting measured, being observed on a fit bike, trying bikes, etc. Shops often charge up to 200 clams for a fit, but if you buy a bike from them they usually comp the fit. Or they SHOULD... Be sure to ask.
I only say this because I want someone to learn from my past mistakes. I'm 5'1" and alot of shops don't stock extra small bikes, so they try to make a bigger bike fit. Well, it just DOESN"T WORK! I don't care WHAT they say! I've been there, done that! :cool:
When I was fit for my tri bike recently I even learned something I never knew... One of my arms is longer than the other?! Go figure! But for my aerobars- that mattered...
hope this helps. Good luck in your search for the perfect ride... She *is* out there, I promise... :)

I thought I would jump in on this as I have the 05 Dolce Comp. I am 5'2 and I ride a 51cm. As mentioned, the best way to know your size is by riding it and see what feel best for you. I feel computers are ok to give the lbs an idea of which size might be ok, you pretty much have to know what feels best. If the top tube and height feel comforable, then then minor adjustments with seat, maybe stem will make the fit more perfect for you.

I had also tried the Allez Comp in a 50, which fit ok, but I felt it was just too much bike for me as the reach was a little more than the Dolce.

Try and test is best.

~ JoAnn

My LBS measured me for my Dolce and said I was a 49. They had a 48 and 50 in stock and I got the 48. I'm 5'4". My 5'1" twin sister has a 51 Trek 1500 or 2000(I'm not sure which). They both fit me and mine fits her. Hers has 650 wheels and mine has 700. That could be a difference as well.

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Originally Posted by gromit68

My LBS measured me for my Dolce and said I was a 49. They had a 48 and 50 in stock and I got the 48. I'm 5'4". My 5'1" twin sister has a 51 Trek 1500 or 2000(I'm not sure which). They both fit me and mine fits her. Hers has 650 wheels and mine has 700. That could be a difference as well.

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How do you like it? I have yet to pick mine up; it's ready, I'm just missing a few moldy dollar bills needed to get it!! I will definately have it next Friday, unless I cave in and whip out my Discover!

I have concluded that bikes are like shoes; I can wear anything from a 6.5 average to a 7 wide. :)

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Originally Posted by sprout

I retook my inseam measurements with my PJs on and no shoes, versus my jeans I had on earlier, and my inseam is in fact a 28. When the second LBS took my measurements he didn't have me take my shoes off, which I did think was a bit odd at the time because they added about two inches to me. I'm guessing that's why they fitted me on a 50.

The Dolce felt good while I was on it; clearance wasn't an issue and I didn't feel like I was on an ancient stretching torture device. I jumped on a Trek 1500 just to see what it felt like at the 2nd LBS and my friend summed it up perfectly; she said "You look scared sh*tless on that thing!" I felt like I was getting ready to take off... straight into the ground.

I will dig around and look at the other posts. I can't pick up the bike until next Saturday, since it came in a tad over my budget and I have to wait until payday. The only thing I don't like about the bike is the fire red color, but I figure that the color will grow on me!

Thanks for the responses ladies!! I feel more comfortable now about the size. :)

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awwwwww I love the color red that the 05 Dolce Comp came in from the minute I saw it. I think it is a really classy shade of red especially with the gray paint design and gray handle bar tape. As the say, Red makes a statement. I think it will grow on you.....it stands out from all the rest.

~ JoAnn

My 2 cents.
Inseam 30. height 5'4"
My Trek WSD 51cm was absolutely too big for me. I would think a 28 inseam would do best on a 48.

Inseam (which I just measured) is 28.5 in. Height is just a bit over 5'1. And I ride a 51 cm. Trek 5200 WSD. It is a great fit. Felt good on the first ride and every one since. I've done many centuries on it. Week-long tours. You'd think it wouldn't fit with my height, but it does. It has 650 wheels, or standover would be a problem. Maybe I have long arms, but I do not feel too stretched out. I don't get shoulder pain. It's a comfortable ride. Not sure what point I'm trying to make here :rolleyes: ; I guess it's that you can use measurements as good guidelines but you need to ride the bike and trust your own judgement as to how it fits. Try take a longer test ride than around the block. If you have a friend who can go with you and watch you, that can be helpful, too. Plus you've got a back-up if you're trying to convince the salesperson that - no- the bike is not right for you. Anyway, good luck! Hope you find a bike for you. :)

annie

My advice is to do some serious test riding AND get a real fitting. I'm 5'6" and have a 31" inseam. Most road bikes that I have had over the years have been in the 54 cm range. Most road bikes that I have had have not been very comfortable.

I now have a 49cm (EDIT) road bike that fits me like a dream. It's wierd because one would think that a 49cm would be way to small for me, but it's not. I had a pro fit and everything is perfect. It's the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden (and I've ridden ALOT of bikes!)

Bike fit is part science (fitting) and part art (intuition and what feels right).

So strange, how people the same height/inseam are riding different sizes and are saying they are comfortable. Maybe we should start measuring our arms :p

Sprout I love my bike. It is my first road bike. I wasn't completely happy with the lbs that sold it to me but I just go somewhere else now. I rode the bike today as far as my lungs would let me go,12.5miles. I'm eager for the cold to go away so I can put more miles on it.

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Originally Posted by sprout

So strange, how people the same height/inseam are riding different sizes and are saying they are comfortable. Maybe we should start measuring our arms :p

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It has so much to do with torso and arm length as well as the height of the head tube (front end). Some riders want their bars higher and it helps to have a taller head tube to start with. You can never size a bike based on inseam alone.