5'9", need comfort geometry

[Yen]

My husband and I started riding hybrids early last year and now we are looking for road bikes so we can join clubs and ride further, easier. We're both over 50 and are looking for bikes with a comfortable geometry. I also have a wrist issue that needs special attention. I'm just under 5'9" tall with a 33.25 inseam (floor to pelvic bone in bare feet).

I have narrowed my choices to Specialized Ruby/Roubaix or Cannondale Synapse.

In the Specialized line I have ridden a 56 and 58 Roubaix. I felt pretty comfortable on both but the stem needed to be changed to bring the bars closer to me for comfort. The 56 felt best, but still needed a shorter stem.

A fitter at an LBS believes a 54 Roubaix would fit me best, and even better yet a Ruby 56 (which supposedly is a WSD version of Roubaix 54) based on the measurement he took of my shoulder width. He said he will put me on the bike on a trainer and do a comprehensive fitting and take measurements to make whatever adjustments are necessary to achieve the best fit and comfort. Two other bike shops also do fittings on a trainer, so I have 3 choices in that regard.

I'm wondering if there are other tall women my height who have a bike that they feel very comfortable on and that is smaller than some might expect, even WSD. I am trying to be open minded and trust the LBS since they are more experienced than I am. Did anyone else set out bike shopping figuring they'd end up with a bigger bike than the one that actually fits you best?

I am very confused about this and afraid of making the wrong choice. The hybrid I bought last year is too big, so I am trying to stay with a shop that will do a comprehensive fitting at the time of purchase.

[KnottedYet]

I'm 5'8" and ride a 52cm Surly Cross Check. But in hybrids I rode a 56 cm Kona Dew.

I've come to the conclusion that sizes mean nothing when one looks across models (only within models). I'd be inclined to try whatever bike the LBS suggests. If it doesn't feel right, don't buy it, and don't be shy telling the LBS guy what feels right and what feels wrong. That's how they help narrow things down and choose a better bike for you. (like, really, don't be shy)

[emily_in_nc]

My DH is 5'10" and rides a 54 cm Trek. Don't get stuck on a certain size that is supposed to fit because of your height. Buy the bike that fits, regardless of its size. And have fun looking and test riding!

Emily

[Yen]

Thanks for your replies. The more I think about this and shop, the more I think it's not a good idea to get stuck with any particular number, just as you are suggesting.

One thing that makes this even more difficult is that even if I scour all the bike shops (or seemingly all of them) within a 25 mile radius of my home, I may not find the bike in the frame size I'm looking for. So, is it safe to say that if the 52 Roubaix is too small, and the 56 is too big, then the 54 would be right for me with some small adjustments? I don't understand how people can find a bike with a perfect fit unless (1) they search all over creation for a bike with that frame size and ride it, (2) get lucky, or (3) buy a custom-built bike.

Maybe I am over-analyzing this too much....

[7rider]

I think you are!
Work with a shop you trust.
Ride, ride, ride.
Different brands have different measurements so a 54 in brand X will fell different from a 54 in brand Y.

[KnottedYet]

If a 52 is too small and a 56 is too big, there is no reason why the shop can't have a 54 shipped. You can try it. If you don't buy it, chances are someone else will. It's a common enough size and a popular enough model that it shouldn't be an issue. (and biking season is coming up, plenty of folks will probably want that same bike!)

[Yen]

If a 52 is too small and a 56 is too big, there is no reason why the shop can't have a 54 shipped. You can try it. If you don't buy it, chances are someone else will. It's a common enough size and a popular enough model that it shouldn't be an issue. (and biking season is coming up, plenty of folks will probably want that same bike!)

The problem is, the shops we've been to say they won't order the bike without a commitment from me to buy it. Is there a shop that will do that?

My brain hurts from all the number crunching so I took a break tonight. After a short while, I started thinking about the Roubaix 56cm and I think that is the smallest size I should go. Unfortunately, its equivalent in the Ruby (58cm) doesn't exist. But I liked the way I felt on the Roubaix 56cm at a shop.

My husband's old '72 Schwinn has a very comfortable reach for me, but the bike is too tall. I want a bike that feels like that, but shorter.

The search continues.....

Thanks so much for your replies!

Jen

[KnottedYet]

The problem is, the shops we've been to say they won't order the bike without a commitment from me to buy it. Is there a shop that will do that?

None of the shops I go to *don't* do that! How on earth can they expect you to buy a bike you've never even ridden!?!? Ooooh, that gets right up my nose!

If they won't bring in a size unless you promise to buy it, I'd consider driving out a couple hours or so to find a shop that will bring in the size.

I can understand wanting pre-payment if you were looking at a bike they don't normally carry (say a Rivendell Saluki or a Soma), but you are asking about a very popular bike THEY ALREADY CARRY, just a size they are missing right now!

[Trek420]

The problem is, the shops we've been to say they won't order the bike without a commitment from me to buy it. Is there a shop that will do that?

We gotta find you a better shop.

One of the shops I go to, not my fave LBS but larger and more misc. stuff anyway .... I've but to oggle a bike and they run over and offer to bring one in.

At 5' nuthin" it's hard to find a bike that fits and you must try the bike.

I always wave off their offer but someday may take them up just to try carbon or a Trek Portland or ...

They know if they get the bike there and I don't buy they will sell it so why not have the size?

[Eden]

With such a common size I can't see why they would have any problem bringing one in for you without the commitment to buy...
Even at my size (like Trek I'm 5' nothing) I have not had to commit to purchasing my bikes sight unseen. Even my 44cm Ruby Pro, which had to be tracked down at a shop in Australia (it originally lived at the Avanti Bicycle Company in Victoria - any Aussie gals know the place? ) my shop ordered it in even though they'd lost my phone number and were just hoping and praying I was truely serious and I'd call back. (though I think that small bikes are more in demand than most shops realize - when I special ordered my first 44cm bike the shop actually ordered two more and sold them pretty quickly)

[kermit]

I have an 05 roubaix comp that I love. I am 5'7"1/4 with a 32 inch inseam. The fit said I measured for a 53, well I took the 54 with a shorter stem and it worked out fine. For me the ride with the zertz is excellent and I also use it for sprint tris with bars on. It sounds like a 54 is what you need, but try it before you buy it.

[Lifesgreat]

I am 5' 9.5" and ride a 54 cm Felt. It is very comfortable for me, but I am toying with getting a little shorter stem.

[sundial]

If a 52 is too small and a 56 is too big, there is no reason why the shop can't have a 54 shipped. You can try it. If you don't buy it, chances are someone else will. It's a common enough size and a popular enough model that it shouldn't be an issue. (and biking season is coming up, plenty of folks will probably want that same bike!)

Yes, what Knot says! I found that my 54 Roubaix offers a plush ride but is still zippy enough to keep up with the racing bikes. I also have a Sequoia and on both bikes I ended up with a 80 mm stem vs the standard 110 that comes on the bike. Maybe a shorter stem is just what you need to dial in the fit.

Also, if your dealer has it, use the Butt-O-Meter to check what your sitbone width is and buy a saddle accordingly.

If you haven't already, pick up this month's Bicycling magazine. They have the picks of the season and offer suggestion on how to shop for a bike. You can also view more info about choosing a bike online at their website.

www.bicycling.com

[Yen]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I got tired of crunching numbers and my head was so full of facts and numbers last night that it was almost spinning. Today I even considered a custom bike. But, I think I need to get accustomed to the road position and let my neck and shoulders relax and find my best position before I consider that option.

None of the shops I go to *don't* do that! How on earth can they expect you to buy a bike you've never even ridden!?!? Ooooh, that gets right up my nose!

If they won't bring in a size unless you promise to buy it, I'd consider driving out a couple hours or so to find a shop that will bring in the size.

I can understand wanting pre-payment if you were looking at a bike they don't normally carry (say a Rivendell Saluki or a Soma), but you are asking about a very popular bike THEY ALREADY CARRY, just a size they are missing right now!

Exactly!!! I just don't under stand that. The other night I asked two young guys at a shop if people order their bike sight unseen if they don't fit on the next size up and down. They said yes. That idea makes me nervous, if I can't return the bike without a 100% refund.

Well, today Hubby drove for 45 minutes to a shop outside of town, one we found on the internet. I think we finally found our dream LBS. He called me while he was there and asked how I'd feel about being able to bring a 56 cm Roubaix home and ride it for the weekend and see how I feel on it. ARE YOU KIDDING???!!!!!??? (There isn't enough room to add enough big smiles to demonstrate my joy over this.) We'll take his old road bike there to get measured, as he loves the fit of it and wants a bike that fits like that one.

They also have a trainer and a fitter with impressive background credentials. They do computerized fittings and told my husband that I will not leave their store without a bike that fits.

NONE of the other stores we visited offered to go to this length. When we asked, they answered as if we were asking to borrow a lot of money. I can't understand why they think they can't sell the bike if I don't buy it -- I'm not 8 feet tall so whatever bike I'd order shouldn't be hard to sell.

[Yen]

I'm just under 5'9" tall ......

Correction: Hubby measured my height last night and said I'm exactly 5'8". Where'd that 3/4 inch go?