I’m considering a new road bike. I’m not sure if I should go with a 54 or 56.
My old road bike was a 56cm and I used a 110mm stem.
Would using a 120-125mm stem and a 54cm frame change much? Would the bike handle better/worse, descend better/worse, would ride quality change etc. Any other thoughts?
Thanks!
more bike, less accessories
.
top tube is not the only thing that changes when you switch sizes…
with the smaller bike you’ll probably have to use more spacers, scooch your seat back and post up, and the longer stem means it’ll handle a little ‘slower’.
100-110mm stem is the unwritten ‘sweet spot’ in my book. Assuming you fit on the frame pretty well and it handles ok just stick with the 56.
my old rowing coach used to say… ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
top tube is not the only thing that changes when you switch sizes…
with the smaller bike you’ll probably have to use more spacers, scooch your seat back and post up, and the longer stem means it’ll handle a little ‘slower’.
100-110mm stem is the unwritten ‘sweet spot’ in my book. Assuming you fit on the frame pretty well and it handles ok just stick with the 56.
my old rowing coach used to say… ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
My old 56 had a wicked speed wobble at 30mph downhill. My tri bike has never had the problem. I thought maybe (not sure why) a smaller frame would be a little more stable or easy to handle.
I say that because I was in between sizes on mountain bikes and I opted for the smaller frame so I could move it around better.
Thanks for the advice.
I use a really small frame; 51cm and I’m 5’8". Personally, I like a 110 stem, my old bike was a 54cm and I didn’t like the feel of the longer top tube shorter stem. To each his own.