Looking at several bikes for my first road bike. Aiming for under $1200 here. Primarily for commuting(tired of fighting a 10+mph average headwind on an upright ‘sport comfort’ bike), but fun/long fitness rides are a priority. Aiming for my first tri on 9/27(Kerrville Tx). I can easily see myself getting hooked, if that makes any difference-the variety in training keeps stagnation and boredom at bay for me.
I’m looking at several bikes, most new, one used. I’m wondering how wide a range of stack/reach measurements have to be until they become significant enough for a bike to not fit.
At a LBS, I spent about 30 minutes total across two bikes. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the two. Both were surprisingly comfortable, for completely unfamiliar positions. I suspect I would adjust pretty quickly and easily to a more aggressive riding position. I doubt I could tell a difference between the two, barring pain schemes.
Bike #1 is a 58cm: Reach of 39.1cm, Stack of 59.8cm. 58cm frame.
Bike #2 is a 60cm: Reach of 39.5cm, Stack of 61.5cm. 60cm frame.
I recently saw a Bike #3 I would potentially buy used. It’s also a 58, with a Reach of 40.3cm and a Stack of 58cm. Top tube length right in the middle between #1&2, lower stand over than both-which appeals to me. It’s a higher quality bike with much higher quality components, but lightly used and 4 years old. 8-12mm doesn’t seem like much. Easily fixed with a different stem, if necessary, right? And the shorter stack would just mean a more aggressive fit? Or are the differences of #3 vs 1 or 2 severe enough to not be comfortable?
Several other bikes I found enjoyable to ride felt different than 1&2, but didn’t have any stack/reach listed, so I expect that I’m not too picky/discerning. Just don’t want/can’t afford a case of buyer’s remorse.
Thanks for y’alls expertise.
Think about it this way, suppose bike A fit you perfectly - which would mean no spacers under the stem, and something like a 100mm 6 degree stem to have your hands where you want them.
A bike with 2cm less stack would need 2cm of spacers under the stem. This will cause no substantive downside at all.
A bike with 2cm less reach will need a 120mm stem. That may or may not be a problem depending on how you like your bikes handling to feel.
If you start needing 4+ cm of spacers, or needing a 150 or 60mm stem to get your hands in the right place, then you are going to have issues.
Or if you can’t get the bars low enough, even with a negative stem, then obviously the bike won’t work.
It’s significant at the point where you cannot hit your fit coordinates without compromising aesthetics, safety or weight distribution.
Examples:
You need an overly long or short stem (80-120mm is the sweet spot for stems), and handling becomes twitchy or sluggish, and weight distribution is off.
You need a ton of spacers or a negative stem.
You cannot position the seat far enough back
In your case, bike #2 means you can use fewer spacers (assuming it isn’t already too tall for your position). In my case I typically ride a 51cm frame, but my current road bike is a 49 with a longer (120mm) stem since I couldn’t get low enough on this brand’s 51.
I don’t know why I’m being coy. #1&2 are new trek 1.1’s of different sizes. #3 is a 2011 Cervélo S1 with around 1200 miles of it-seller is an old coworker who never got more into road cycling than commuting a couple miles each way. Bike is in another city right now, a few hours away.
According to the fitter, I was set up on the trek’s kind of conservatively since this will be my first nike with drop bars.
So worst case, both reach and stack are within acceptable margins for fine tuning adjustments, and I can make it fit like the trek’s, but with a better frame&components underneath me?
Medium case, I only need minor adjustments for a slightly more aggressive fit?
Best case, it’s entirely possible that I can ride the Cervélo as is, if I have the core strength and flexibility for an aggressive fit? I hope, at least.
The best case is that the Cervelo has enough spacers/steerer tube length that you can get the position the fitter created. You can then remove spacers (actually just move them from below the stem to above) until it’s too aggressive. Worst case is the steerer has already been cut shorter than you’d like, and you need an upward sloping stem.
Medium case, I only need minor adjustments for a slightly more aggressive fit?
Since you’ve already mentioned that you believe you will be comfortable going lower with the bars, less stack is a definite plus. Once you remove all the spacers and put on a -17deg stem you can’t really go lower. IMO it is important to not only be able to hit your current fit coordinates but also hit your expected/potential future coordinates without the bike looking goofy.
Plus the Cervelo is aero, nicer spec… just better all around if you can get a good deal.
Best case, it’s entirely possible that I can ride the Cervélo as is, if I have the core strength and flexibility for an aggressive fit? I hope, at least.
It isn’t about core strength or flexibility if you want to get low and aero. Your core and upper body should be relaxed, and your position and pedaling stroke should support that. Pay attention and practice.
Think about it this way, suppose bike A fit you perfectly - which would mean no spacers under the stem, and something like a 100mm 6 degree stem to have your hands where you want them.
A bike with 2cm less stack would need 2cm of spacers under the stem. This will cause no substantive downside at all.
A bike with 2cm less reach will need a 120mm stem. That may or may not be a problem depending on how you like your bikes handling to feel.
If you start needing 4+ cm of spacers, or needing a 150 or 60mm stem to get your hands in the right place, then you are going to have issues.
Or if you can’t get the bars low enough, even with a negative stem, then obviously the bike won’t work.
I was going to say, “any stack and reach” where you only need 1-2 cm of spacers under the bar and anywhere from 80mm to 120mm stem to hit your fit coordinates. My feeling is that 60 or 150mm stem would compromise handling. 80-120 and you’ll still get decent handling.