Need road bike fit help - I'm getting desperate!

[wildeny]

I'm 158 cm (5'2") with inseam of 72 cm (28.35 in), which seems to be quite normal according to a formula . Riding Fuji Finest RC XS (44cm) with the effective top tube of 51cm and a 9cm stem.

I also prefer a WSD. This frame is only slightly compact and the bike comes with the compact handlebar for shorter reach and Shimano R-700 shifters for small hands. Shimano R-700 is important for me since my hands are quite small.

MS1, IMO, a 48cm is too big. Beside the reach, don't you need to consider the stand over height? Hmm.. I just checked Trek Madone WSD. Mine is about their S(50cm) based on the effective tt length and stand over height. (How do they come up with the frame size of 44, 47, 50 cm etc? Based on what? )

[Zen]

Beside the reach, don't you need to consider the stand over height?

It depends on the slant of the top tube. I had trouble mounting/dismounting my '07 Trek Pilot. It had a slightly sloping TT but the Aurora has even more of a slope. Much nicer.

[Cataboo]

me & my ape arms

[kenyonchris]

I am 5'4 and have a 31.5 inch inseam and quite a short torso, longish arms. I have a WSD Ruby Expert and felt cramped on it, although the standover height was OK. I am switching to the non-WSD colnago in the exact same size...we will see what happens.

[Cataboo]

I think we're probably confusing things more than helping at this point!

[Eden]

(How do they come up with the frame size of 44, 47, 50 cm etc? Based on what? )

The "frame size" is generally the measurement of the seat tube - and it can be very misleading. Different frame styles can be the same "size" and really be very different. Take for instance cyclocross bikes - the bottom bracket is higher on cross bikes so a 44/43cm cross bike is more like a 48 or 50 in a road bike....

In the end you really need to look at the whole bike - just focusing on one measurement (especially whether or not you can stand over it - too many bike shops fit that way ) can lead to an ill fitting, uncomfortable bike that you won't want to ride.

Many little women end up with bikes that are too big because they can stand over a larger bike than they really need and the shop wants to sell what's on the floor rather than special order an extra small one...... If you cannot keep a comfortable bend in your arms when you are riding, the bike is most likely too large. And its not only comfort you are sacrificing if you have to ride with your elbows stiff - you also have less control and less power!

[Zen]

I think we're probably confusing things more than helping at this point!

I think this variety of fit among different bodies illustrates why you have to test a lot of bikes before you buy. You just can't come in and say "which bike should i buy?".
Eden is so right, the shop wants to sell you whats on the floor.

[MartianDestiny]

Eden is so right, the shop wants to sell you whats on the floor.

Not every shop. Mine's never batted an eye while ordering me bikes. EVEN when they have one that's the right size but "wrong" color or "wrong" components sitting on the floor.

Of course I've never batted an eye with them about paying their asking price either.

Unfortunately, however, there are many many shops that have forgotten (or never knew) the love of bikes and just want to make a sale