I’m new to even the thought of attempting a tri, but have some friends doing the sprints & some 1/2’s & thought it might be fun to try one.
Being a long time road cyclist I want to focus on the bike (may not get further than that).
Anyhow, I went into my local shop (w/ a large tri section - Many P3C, P2C, Kuota, even less common TT bikes). They put me on a 54 & said it was the best fit. I road a P3C for about 10 miles. Didn’t feel too big, but I’m not used to the geometry so I don’t know how to really rate it.
However, I’m 5’8" (31.5 inseam). I just read through a whole string about people my height on 51-52 & don’t want to spend X on a bike & then not know if it’s really fitting me as good as it could.
48cm - 5’ to 5’6"
51cm - 5"5 to 5’9
54cm - 5’8 to 5’11
56cm - 5’10 to 6’1
58cm - 6’0 to 6’4
61cm - 6’3 and up
You’re sort of in between sizes. I had the same thing on my 54 cm P2K. At 5’9" it felt a bit large but the next size down (51) was a bit small. I always thought a 52/53 would have been ideal.
Having just plunked down a large wad of cash for my shiny custom Guru to replace my ill fitting LBS QR Caliente, let me suggest erring on the side of too small. That is, if you are going to err at all. I found out the hard way ($$ and a lost season) that a poor bike fit can really muck things up. Good luck.
Seems like you can more easily make a small bike “bigger” with seat posts, stems, etc, than you can shrink a big bike. That said, since you’re borderline, you probably need to ride both and just see which fits more comfortably, then tinker a bit.
I am not a fit expert, but based on the information I have seen you are boarderline between the 51 and the 54. The general rule in this situation, and it is a very general rule, is that when you are in the middle of two sizes of frame, go with the smaller one.
You do have great flexibility of fitting when on a smaller frame with movement of the seatpost, saddle, handle bars and stem
The smaller frame will be slightly lighter
The smaller frame will be slightly stiffer
My only caution would be that the P3C is meant to be ridden VERY low in the front - that’s the way it was designed. I see many triathletes riding these bikes that may have been better off on bikes that are meant to be set up with a higher front end - say the P2C or Dual
Did they measure you and then find the bike or the other way around? Having gone through a few bad experiences, I “think” the better way to find the right bike is to have the shop measure you and then determine which manufacturer’s frame will fit YOUR body best. Obviously, you can take a lot of different frames and “make” them fit so if you’ve got a bike you’ve already fallen in love with then so be it. But if you don’t, get measured first, possibly get a FIST fitting and then see what bikes match your measurements. Also, I wouldn’t dump a ton of money into your first tri bike because you’ll probably learn a few things and change bikes sooner than later. If you get FIST fit, the measurements have already been taken so your next bike can be setup based on that initial fitting.
And while I’m not expert, based on what you’ve said, I’d be looking at the 51 instead of the 54.
I am going to go against the grain on this one. I am 6’1" so I am in the same position you are. I am right in between a 56 and a 58. My Cervelo Dual is a 58 and I couldn’t imagine riding a 56. As it is if I slide too far forward on my seat my knees hit my elbows and I have a longer stem on my bike (say a 120). Yes, getting the smaller frame will allow you to force more drop and get into a more aggressive position, but you will sacrifice a lot of comfort. Just thought I would share my situation since I am also between bike sizes. Take it for what it is worth.
I’m 5’8" with a 32" inseam. I concur with the advice to go small for a TT bike, so you can get sufficiently low. You can put a longer stem on a smaller bike to make it feel longer, but you can’t make a bigger bike any lower. I ride a 48. One issue is wheelbase; if you get a smaller bike with a longer stem you could have too much weight on the front wheel, especially if you’re not used to TT bike handling. Check wheelbase lengths (and especially the front-center dimension) on the bikes you’re considering.
I was fit first & then put on a bike. Just eyeing me they said 54 when I walked in & then that’s what eventually they put me on (though they had a 52 P3C & P2 SL, which is more likely what I would buy).
Thanks for everyone’s responses. I really appreciate it.
I will definitely try the 52. I don’t want to go nuts on a bike (I’m the type who “justifies” buying the best possible thinking I won’t upgrade as soon, then I do anyhow).
R&A Cycles in New York had a banner ad on this website some time ago that debunked the value of test rides. Your experience seems to support their consensus that test rides create more issues than they solve.
I’m 5’7" and ride a 52 Cannondale road bike, but I just got fitted for a 50 Felt Tri bike. Before we decided on that size, they sized me on a 52 frame and 48 frame. The 48 was too aggressive as my leg was just touching my stomach when I pedal. The 52 put my aerobars at the same height as my seat, which isn’t aggressive at all. Have them size you on a couple different bikes or better yet if they have an adjustable bike, they can set it up for a couple different frame sets, move the seat and aerobars around to find out what best suites you. It takes a couple of hours but is well worth it. Like the others said- its easier to make a smaller frame a little larger.
Thanks for your feedback, nutty. Sounds like the lean is towards smaller @ if, for some reason I had to pick w/o riding another. I don’t mind going smaller except that on a small road bike (52 Cannondale, for instance) I have toe overlap. That isn’t an issue in the long run, but I like to avoid it if possible.
They have a jig (or whatever the adjustable bike is called) & so I may go back up. Not knowing anything I don’t want to come off as second guessing them, but 2-3k is too much to spend to feel like I could have missed something.