Long story short is I’m building up a TT frame (my 1st), but it will be purchased from one of the Taiwain manufactures so I will not be able to try out the bike for fit. I’m planning on going to my road racing sponsored shop to get on the only TT bike they have in the store to compare for fit (but I think it as a smaller frame that won’t do me any good anyway). So what I am trying to do is purchase the appropiate size frame, build it up and then have it fitted and set up professionally.
Can any measurements from my road bike be coorilated over to purchasing a new TT frame?
I’m 6’1" with a 33" inseam
My road bike is an Orbea Orca, 57cm w/ a 100mm stem (probably should be riding a 58 though). Stack is 590, Reach is 391
The TT frame I am looking at only comes in a size 53cm or 56cm. I asked the manufacture for the Stack and Reach measuremments, but what they came back with was not S&R so I’m thinking they do not have these measurements.
Any suggestions as to which would be the better sized frame…again I’ll get a professional fit on the complete build, I just have no idea on a TT frame which is the size I “should” start out with.
I would suggest to go pay for a fitting on a size cycle and take dimmensions to the geo chart to determine fit. Cost you a couple hundred bucks and keeps you from buying a frame that will always be wrong.
+1. I’m with Kevin. If you’re going to get a professional fit on the complete build anyway you should be able to go that person for advice on what size frame to get and then let them know you’ll be back for the rest of the fit once everything has been built. You shouldn’t have to pay for two fittings because you’re not really going through the whole fitting process twice; you’re just breaking the whole fitting process up into two different sessions (section 1: bike size selection, section 2: dialing in).
Maybe the bike fitters out there will disagree with me though and say you should be charged twice. I don’t know.
I’m about the same size, 6’1.5" and inseam of about 33.5. And I’m not very flexible.
I’m very happy with a 56 Cervelo tri bike and am in the process of acquiring a 58 Scott road bike. On the tri bike the seat is jacked way up and I’ve got a bunch of spacers in the headset and still have a 16cm seat to armrest drop. I can’t imagine what I’d have to do to fit a 53, don’t think it would be practical at all.
I really think the 53 will be too small for you and that the 56 will be just right.
if you don’t want to go to a fitter i would suggest you look for a local gym that has adjustable spin bikes. get a pass for a day or pay for a day in there. bring your saddle, shoes and pedals to set it up (optional) and spend a few hours playing around. if you can get it set up near a mirror or have someone help then even better. you can learn a lot doing that.
