I am trying to decide between these two nice bikes. Geometry is pretty similar. What I really want is top tube of 54.5 to 55 but have to choose between Siena at 54 or Tuscany at 55.5. If anyone out there has any comments or recommendations on either of these I would greatly appreciate hearing it. Have no interest in racing the road bike…just for recovery rides, group rides and lots of solo stuff in the hills.
If I am kinda between two sizes should I go with the smaller one and just use a bigger stem and a bit more saddle set back?
Does .5 to 1 cm really make that much difference? I figured I could use an 11cm stem vs 10 and that would make up for difference. Maybe I don’t know enough about road bike fit to understand the subtleties but it seems like many manufactures are making pretty broad ranges these days (ie, S, M, L) with gaps of 1.5 - 2 cm difference.
I have a Tuscany, which fits me. I’ve got the 10-speed Ultegra component set. I wish I spent the extra money for the Chorus components. However, the Ultegra stuff has worked pretty well so far. The ITM handlebar didn’t fit my hands, but I haven’t found a satisfactory replacement yet. The dealer has been very supportive in this search. The bike has a GREAT ride, and the handling is awesome. It also climbs very well. I’m very pleased with the purchase.
A bike does need to fit you correctly that is absolutely true, and the best way to know is to be fitted by someone you trust, unless you know what you need. I personally have never been fitted on a bike and do not feel that I need it, and many others have also found their fit by trial and experience. .5 to 1cm are indeed lengths which many riders adjust their seat on the seatpost or as you mentioned in terms of stem length. One thing to consider is also how different manufacturers measure their toptube as it is not always done the same way. My suggestion would be though to get fitted by your shop.
Hope this helps.
Herbert
Litespeed
Don’t you think that we already have too many choices?
Seriously though, thanks for the tip, I will forward it to the appropriate folks here. After all, I am just a marketing mouth.
Cheers,
Herbert
Litespeed
Isn’t that why they made compact frames? I thought the whole idea was so that a person could fit several different frames and choose the tt length. Like a 48cc ST with a 55 TT, or a 50cc ST and 57 TT, or a 52 cc ST and 59cm TT. Now anybody that needed a 55-59 cm TT could easily swing a leg over a 48-52 ST. Maybe I am wrong.
I have had a litespeed Orion 54cm and now have a ghisallo M/L (55.5cm?) - both fit quite similar, although one is a fair bit lighter and more comfortable! I am 5’10" and a longer body type…
I made almost the exact same decision about a year ago. I knew I wanted a Litespeed, and I had narrowed it down to a Siena, Tuscany, or Ultimate.
Upon the advice of many on this board, I was professionally fitted first. The fitter immediately disaqualified the Ultimate. He thought that the tubing configuration would not provide a comfortable and responsive ride for me (I’m around 140 lbs). So we zero’d in on the Tuscany and Siena.
It turned out that the Tuscany was the slightly better fit. However, vain superficial person that I am, I went with the Siena - which I simply just liked the look of more!! It’s only about a 1 cm difference with the Tuscany as far as fit goes. I have my saddle somewhat far forward which makes up for it, and puts me in an aggressive yet comfy position, especially when I add shorty aerobars for racing.
To make a long story endless, I love it!! I’m far from a bike expert (I’ve only had 3 bikes over the past 22 years) but the bike fits like a glove, is plush and comfy, but still feels stiff enough when I’m pounding and seems very quick and responsive underneath me. I love the feel and look of the compact geometry especially when I’m climbing. It’s hard to explain, but the bikes’ cockpit just seems closer (even with a pretty long top tube) and I feel more powerful, especially when climbing out of the saddle.
I went with Campy Chorus components and Campy Eurus wheels, both of which I would also highly recommend.
Thanks Herbert. Please correct me if I am wrong but Litespeed measures the top tube length (for compacts) as virtual horizontal line from center of HT to center of ST. I don’t undertand why this would not be equivilant effective top tube to standard “flat” top tube bike measured c-c. In other words is the size medium Siena (size 54 virtual top tube) the same effective top tube as Tuscan size 53 with published top tube of 54?
I would love to go to a LBS but nobody really very near where I live.
