New bike fit concern

[Megustalaplaya]

Hi Everyone!

I'm returning to cycling after a 13 year absence. I bought an entry level, 50cm, Trek Lexa Friday evening and went for my first ride yesterday. Loved being back on a bike!

I noticed when I stopped at a traffic light that I had to lean to the left and my right leg rested on the top bar. So I stood over the bar and realized I have no clearance. Meaning my girly parts are resting on the bar. I don't know why I didn't notice this when I test rode the bike at the shop. The bike shop does have a 47cm and when I test rode it I noticed that I could see over the handlebars and see the hub. Based on that, I thought the 47cm was too small. Now I'm wondering if I made the right decision.

What are you thoughts on this? Oh, I'm 4'11 3/4 (59.75) with an inseam of about 29 inches and have a short upper body.

Any insight or opinions are very much appreciated!

[goldfinch]

Hi Everyone!

I'm returning to cycling after a 13 year absence. I bought an entry level, 50cm, Trek Lexa Friday evening and went for my first ride yesterday. Loved being back on a bike!

I noticed when I stopped at a traffic light that I had to lean to the left and my right leg rested on the top bar. So I stood over the bar and realized I have no clearance. Meaning my girly parts are resting on the bar. I don't know why I didn't notice this when I test rode the bike at the shop. The bike shop does have a 47cm and when I test rode it I noticed that I could see over the handlebars and see the hub. Based on that, I thought the 47cm was too small. Now I'm wondering if I made the right decision.

What are you thoughts on this? Oh, I'm 4'11 3/4 (59.75) with an inseam of about 29 inches and have a short upper body.

Any insight or opinions are very much appreciated!

I am an inch shorter than you and ride a Trek Madone with similar geometry in a 43 cm size. 50 seems large, especially if you have a short torso like me. But there certainly is variability in what fits people of similar height.

[zoom-zoom]

That sounds awfully large. My bike is roughly a 50cm (it's a 48, but Cannondales run large--in any other brand I'd be on a 50-51) and I am just shy of 5'4". With a slightly shorter stem I'd be able to see my front hub, too...and my bike is definitely not too small for me.

[badgercat]

Every body and every bike is shaped differently of course, but I'm 5'5" and my Jamis road bike is 51cm... I'd go back to the shop and ride the 47cm again and see how it feels.

[Owlie]

50cm does seem awfully large...

[Maye]

Welcome to the TE forum!!
I have a Trek Lexa (SLX) also. I'm 5"7 and a half and my bike is 52cm long. I could have fit in a 54cm but I think it was too big for me. I don't have too much experience, but I think that bike is too large.

[silversurfer]

Hello. I have a Trek Lexa (SL). I'm 5' 2" with a 29in inseam. Mine's 47cm and it fits perfectly. I'm pretty sure the 50cm would be a bit big for me.

[Owlie]

Hi Everyone!

I'm returning to cycling after a 13 year absence. I bought an entry level, 50cm, Trek Lexa Friday evening and went for my first ride yesterday. Loved being back on a bike!

I noticed when I stopped at a traffic light that I had to lean to the left and my right leg rested on the top bar. So I stood over the bar and realized I have no clearance. Meaning my girly parts are resting on the bar. I don't know why I didn't notice this when I test rode the bike at the shop. The bike shop does have a 47cm and when I test rode it I noticed that I could see over the handlebars and see the hub. Based on that, I thought the 47cm was too small. Now I'm wondering if I made the right decision.

What are you thoughts on this? Oh, I'm 4'11 3/4 (59.75) with an inseam of about 29 inches and have a short upper body.

Any insight or opinions are very much appreciated!

A lot of the fit tricks, like the hub test, are loose guidelines. If you don't quite fit the mold, they become less accurate. For what it's worth, I'm nearly 5'7", and ride something that Giant labels as a 50cm, but I think it's closer to a 52-54. In most road bikes, I need somewhere between a 51 and a 54cm.