Seeking guidance from ST as our LBS is only minimally helpful. He can fit on both a 54 and a 56 Specialized Roubaix Sl4. Which to go with?
Hubby wants to take up cycling at age post 55+.
He's is brand new to cycling and plans on only doing recreational touring. We looked around at road bikes and settled on the based Specialized Roubaix SL4. The 2017 does not have the "future shock" insert or the new geometry that comes with it, so it is the same as 2016 and earlier geometry.
We've spent some time trying out bikes on a trainer at the store. He can fit a 54 and a 56, although the Specialized fit chart, based solely on his height of 5'8", puts him squarely on a 54. However, on the 54 once the saddle height is set, there is more than an inch drop to the handle bars. In contrast, the 56 which has a big jump in head tube length, puts the handle bar even with his saddle. That seems right for an older beginner.
The stand over height on the 56 is tight, and better on the 54.
FWIW, the big difference between the 54 and the 56 is the head tube. It's 25mm longer than the 54. In terms of stack and reach, the stack on the 56 is 36mm higher, and the reach is 7mm longer. Also, hubby has long arms. He has to get extra long sleeves in dress shirts.
I'm thinking that the 56 gives room to adjust lower stack (remove spacers) or shorter reach (shorter stem), but we can't make the 54 any taller without putting absurd looking stems on it.
My hesitation on the 56 is that the LBS guy was really fixated on the height chart, and I've always thought that if there were two bikes that fit, you should go with the smaller one. Does that hold true with road bikes?
No coasting in running and no crying in baseball
Hubby wants to take up cycling at age post 55+.
He's is brand new to cycling and plans on only doing recreational touring. We looked around at road bikes and settled on the based Specialized Roubaix SL4. The 2017 does not have the "future shock" insert or the new geometry that comes with it, so it is the same as 2016 and earlier geometry.
We've spent some time trying out bikes on a trainer at the store. He can fit a 54 and a 56, although the Specialized fit chart, based solely on his height of 5'8", puts him squarely on a 54. However, on the 54 once the saddle height is set, there is more than an inch drop to the handle bars. In contrast, the 56 which has a big jump in head tube length, puts the handle bar even with his saddle. That seems right for an older beginner.
The stand over height on the 56 is tight, and better on the 54.
FWIW, the big difference between the 54 and the 56 is the head tube. It's 25mm longer than the 54. In terms of stack and reach, the stack on the 56 is 36mm higher, and the reach is 7mm longer. Also, hubby has long arms. He has to get extra long sleeves in dress shirts.
I'm thinking that the 56 gives room to adjust lower stack (remove spacers) or shorter reach (shorter stem), but we can't make the 54 any taller without putting absurd looking stems on it.
My hesitation on the 56 is that the LBS guy was really fixated on the height chart, and I've always thought that if there were two bikes that fit, you should go with the smaller one. Does that hold true with road bikes?
No coasting in running and no crying in baseball