I ordered a new P2c. I am 5 foot 6 and a half inches, will the 51 inch frame be the right size for me?
Based on my experience… too big.
probably. i’m 5’6.5" and have a size 51 p2c. i have a long torso and short legs and it fits great.
A 51 inch frame will stand as tall as you are, so yes, a 51 inch frame would be FAR too large 
.
I would guess that 51 is too big for you. I am 5’ 10.5" and I ride a 51 P2C
A 51 cm is probably the right size for you, particularly if you intend to ride steep.
When in doubt do some research on the Cervelo site:
Answer - Frame size for TT/Tri bikes
Rider height is only one variable used when determining frame size and bike fit.
It is virtually impossible to size by phone or e-mail, you are much better served by a fit session at your local bike dealer where the fitter can measure you, examine your position on the bike and make changes based on your specific needs and capabilities. That is one of the real values of buying at your local store.
But to give you some guidance, we will give you a range of heights per frame size. However, please note the following caveats:
- Many people could ride two frame sizes and because riders of a certain height could ride one size or another based on other body dimensions and things like flexibility.
- This assumes a forward position (as most triathlete and good time trialers use), a shallow position tends to lead to a smaller frame.
- For people with a relatively long torso, they will usually ride a relatively big frame. They will need to pay extra attention to getting a stem with not too much rise and an aerobar with not to much stack height. The reverse is true for people with a relatively short torso.
Keeping that in mind, the ranges are:
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
These ranges are the same for every Cervélo TT/Tri model, as they all follow the same philosophy. The only difference between the various models is the height of the headtube, the higher up in the model range we go the shorter the headtube, for a more advanced position. But this change is rather small, and variances like the angle of the stem, the type of aerobar and the number of spacers used have a larger effect on the front end height than the differences in headtube length between models.
I’m 5’7" and have a 29" inseam. I ride a 51CM P2C and it fits like a glove.
Dave
as cervelo guy said, most people can ride 2 sizes. i tried the 48 as well and i could get a good position (and fly uphill), but ultimately i chose the 51 because it handled a little better AND i didn’t want to buy a set of 650 race wheels. the 51 gave me the flexibility to use 700 race wheels which are interchangeable between my road bike and the p2c.
I am 5’9 and I like my bikes to have a shorter top tube than most. My 51 p2k fits perfectly. I ride with my bars as low as they will go and my sadle 1-2 cm behind the bb.
51 should be good for you if you have the seat in the forward position and/or if you ride with some spacers.
Right size? - yes it is.
I agree with the analysis of Lily and Cerveloguy.
5’10" + on a 51. That would be interesting to see.
For some reason on this website there is a fascination with people trying to fit themselves on the smallest size of bike possible…
Bike fit is very dependant on other things other than height, saying that, unless you have an abnormally short torso, the 51cm will definiately not be too big for you. You have to keep in mind cervelos also have the dual seat positions. While people larger than yiou may ride a 51 I doubt most of them would be able to get into a position, with the seatpost in the forward position, that they would be able to hold over a long race.
A good example of people riding bikes most people on this forum would say is too small for them, is Heather Fuhr who is shorter than you and rides a 51cm cannondale, also Chrissie Wellington is 5’7-5’8 and rode a 54cm cervelo at Hawaii.
In the end, fitting will be different for everyone, but not being able to get into a nice forward position when you race because you were scared of buying a larger bike, is dumb
Abnormally short torso here, I ride a 48 cervelo and I am 5’8". I provide this only as an example that height may have little bearing on correct fit
I’m 5’7" and my 51cm Cervelo fit perfect.
I’m 5-6", ride a 51 for P3c, size 48 for Soloist.
I think the 48 P2C is the right size for you.
If you have a short torso, you might be better off with the 48. Otherwise (normal torso/legs proportions or have somewhat of a longish torso) the 51 should be the right size.
Francois in Montreal
Keeping that in mind, the ranges are:
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
Interesting I’ve got five current situations to add regarding P3Cs
I’m 5’9 1/2 and I’ve ridden a 54cm frame. However since JonnyO said on his blog that he was 5’9 and riding a 51cm I have questioned my own sizing. I’ve ridden my wife’s 51cm on the home trainer a few time and with a 1-2cm longer stem than the one that comes with the bike and maybe longer bars the bike feels fine. In fact getting back on my 54 yesterday felt odd… On your chart I could fit on both, which seems to be true, but it makes sense to go with the smaller one because you can get a bigger drop and the bike is a little lighter.
Luckily there is a guy in our club who wants my 54cm frame, he tried it out on Sunday and wants it now. My issue is, do I change bikes before IMAZ!!! My clubmate is 5’11 1/2 and rides a 56 for a road bike and felt great my 54. Again this validates your chart.
My wife is 5’4" and just starting tri. I got her a 51 knowing that if anything it may be a tad large. However if she went to 48cm then she wouldn’t be able to use my '404s since the 48cm is sized for with 650 wheels. So her and I could both end up riding the same size bike and I am 5" taller than her.
Example #4 from our club is a guy who is 6’0". He got a 58cm P3SL and after 18 months finally felt it was on the large side and changed it out for a 56cm P3C and feels great on it.
The last example is another guy in our club who is 6’4. Initially he wanted a 61cm frame but after trying the 56cm frame of case #4 and finding it obviously too small, but not that much, above has eventually agreed with us that he would be fine with a 58 frame.
IF you look at the ranges of the bikes 2 sizes apart, in all cases they nearly meet. i.e the top of size 51cm is only 1 inch smaller than the bottom of size 56cm frame. So most riders will in fact have a choice of 2 frame sizes. In 3 of the 5 cases above the riders are opting for the smaller fit. I will make that 4 out of 5 when I move to a 51 frame and the only thing preventing my wife going to a 48 frame is wheel size. I’m certainly not against 650 wheels, quite the opposite, its just that I have a set of 404s and 808s in 700 sizing and she can use that.
So our 5 case studies appear to validate this sizing chart with the recommendation that if you are deciding between 2 sizes then it appears that going small is the best option, even if your are 1/2 and inch or so above the top range.
I ordered a new P2c. I am 5 foot 6 and a half inches, will the 51 inch frame be the right size for me?
To the Original poster.
You will be fine on a 51 frame, but from my experiences (see previous post) you will still be able to get on a 48 frame which will give you a slightly lighter bike, more potential for an agressive (whoops sorry, I mean a more forward and lower) position. If you can go with 650 wheels then it will be fine. Recommend that you at least try out a 48 before making your final decision.
Only thing is that being on the upper end of the range for a 48, if you are buying just the frame then no prob. However if you want to buy a complete bike, stock build, then you will may have to sweet talk the bike shop into changing out the stem and maybe even the bars. Also take a look at the crank size.
For some reason on this website there is a fascination with people trying to fit themselves on the smallest size of bike possible…
Bike fit is very dependant on other things other than height, saying that, unless you have an abnormally short torso, the 51cm will definiately not be too big for you. You have to keep in mind cervelos also have the dual seat positions. While people larger than yiou may ride a 51 I doubt most of them would be able to get into a position, with the seatpost in the forward position, that they would be able to hold over a long race.
A good example of people riding bikes most people on this forum would say is too small for them, is Heather Fuhr who is shorter than you and rides a 51cm cannondale, also Chrissie Wellington is 5’7-5’8 and rode a 54cm cervelo at Hawaii.
In the end, fitting will be different for everyone, but not being able to get into a nice forward position when you race because you were scared of buying a larger bike, is dumb
Chrissie Wellington is listed as 5’9 on her profile on the teamTBB website.
5’ 7" and ride a 51 P3c whitch has the same stack and reach as the 51 p2
.
I’m 5-6", ride a 51 for P3c, size 48 for Soloist.
I think the 48 P2C is the right size for you.
Very strange. Most folks go with the larger size on the road bike compared to the TT bike.