I have read all the reviews and threads that I could find on this bike and am seriously considering it for my wife. She has been in the sport 4 years now and has always ridden on a road bike with aerobars. She places in her age group locally, but is more of a runner and swimmer than cyclist. She is weaker in windy and hilly conditions. She is about 5’ 7" (80 inseam, 66 trunk) and currently rides a 54 road bike. How does this bike fit. One bike shop told me a 53 would fit, but possibly a 51. In a prior post someone else recommended the 51 also. The 53 comes in both 700 and 650 wheels. Which do you think would be better for her? Tom, I know you have a lot of experince with this bike, what do you think? Everyone raves about the bike. Makes me wish I was getting a new one! Mark Roberts
Hello There mdroberts, Well, here is my .02 on this bike. The Saber is an exceptional bike for the people that fit it (or the other way around).
In general (and I can only speak in generalities since I didn’t measure your associate in person) the Saber is best suited for longer torso riders. That includes a higher incidence of males as opposed to females. Females tend to be configured with shorter torsos and longer legs. While this is not always the case a good argument can be made that this is the statistical commonality. Be aware of this when buying a bike. Is her torso relatively short? If so, you want to make some type of relative match between the length of her torso and the length of her top tube. If she has a short torso, it is likely she will be better off on a bike with a shorter top tube. That is not necessarily a Saber. The good thing about ABG (who distributes Litespeed) is they also have an excellent group of “short torso” bikes in the form of Quintana Roo. Disclaimers- I am posting this off the top of my head and I have not yet memorized the geometry charts for both companies for 2004. I usually have learned them by January since I have worked with them enough by then, and I do make a habit of memorizing the key (or most commonly sold) sizes. Right now, however, I am working off last year’s memory. So- the whole thing needs to be double checked.
One warning, if a bike shop can;t tell if a person is a 51cm or a 53cm allow me to repsectfully suggest that is is a rudimentary piece of fit information they should be able to determine very early in the fit process, for that matter, they should be able to tell if the frame geometry will work for you. They might not be able to tell you exactly the stem length she will need and the saddle she will be on, but they should be able to nail down optimal frame dimensions and geometry which will then point you to an appropriate manufacturer. I’d start asking some serious questions, such as, “How does this bike’s top tube length relate to my wife’s torso length as compared to some other models and brands?” That is a good place to start.
Hmmm Tom. . .I found just the opposite. I am a short torso male, 5’9" and I found the 53cm Saber to fit perfectly. All the angles were right, and I fit within the FIST saddle/armrest drop recommendation with a 10cm drop.
Measure (don;t take form their geometry charts) the top tubes on a 51cm, 53cm, 55cm and 57cm. Saber (from '03).
Now do the same to the seat tube. Measure the seat tube center to center and absolutel center to top. Make a chart.
Measure the wheelbase and front/center using Continenetal GP3000 tires as a reference.
Now do the same with a QR Kilo or Tequilo ('03), A Felt DA650/700, Cannondale IM2000 (again , '03 model year, dimensions have chnged for '04), Kestrel KM40 airfoil (in the only two sizes they make) and throw in a couple other of your favorites too. Make an Excell spreadsheet with the data. Make a formula that compares your seat tube lengths (center to top and center to center) with you top tube lengths. Make another that does the same with wheelbase and front center. See any trends developing? Hmmm. Now, which bikes work with long torsos and which bikes work with short torsos?
My guess (only a guess) is that some inexpereinced fitters would have paid too much attention to your leg length and put you on a 55cm Saber. The 53cm Saber you have may work in part because you have pretty good lower back flexibility and core strength (so you can handle a little reach) and the “smaller” (than a 55cm which your inseam may have suggested) 53cm. has a top tube that matches your torso length. Good job if it fits.