I was told by the lbs the other day that it is best to try and purchase the smallest frame you can get a proper fit on - but they couldn’t explain why. Just about everyone can get a good fit on 2 different sizes of the same bike like Dan’s Tiphoon article (61CM, 59CM) with a little tweaking. Based on what I took out of Dan’s article, I would think it would be better to go with the frame with more front/center and longer wheelbase (larger frame) assuming stability and handling was the primary objective. True? False?
Depends. Eveyone can be made to fit on 2-3 range frame sizes, but this is done by compromising things like stem length,too long or short, etc. There is an optimal frame size that you should begin with. This is usually measured from a .67 x inseam formula, but in reality top tube length is more important than seat tube length.
The possible problem with the smallest frame in your range is the head tube length. It’s quite possible that you may find you are too low in the front on a smallest size frame and have to compensate with an excessive amount of spacers.
Also realize that different manufacturers measure different. A size xx frame from one company may have entirely different measurements than the same size from another company.
It’s sound like a case of you really needing a good fitter.
Depends. That is the best answer. In general, we see a marked trend for people to get on frames too large for themselves.
I would ammend that statement to say, “A person should be on the most precisely fitted frame to match their body dimensions.” In most cases, that is smaller than what they may originally have thought is appropriate.
This often means not carrying any more frame than is necessary, and that could be interpreted as “The smallest possible frame”. I prefer to think of it as “The precisely correct frame”.
A frame can be too small- no question. And that absolutely does not work optimally. However, it is more common to see someone on too large of a frame.
To their credit, certain manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to “manipulate” or facilitate this perception. For instance, one popular manufactuer has a new model in size “56cm”: It is not a compact geometry frame but the total length of the seat tube is 52.5 cm. actual dimension. The top tube is appropriate for the torso length one may typically associate with a 56cm frame size user.
Rules of thumb generally don’t hold much water in specific terms, and there are always exceptions.