I’m about to order a Cervelo Soloist by mail order. I’ve been researching frame sizes/geometry compared to my Trek 5500.
My Trek is a 52cm with a 53.1 cm eff. top tube and a 12.5 cm stem.
The 51 cm Soloist has a 53.0 cm eff. top tube and, if I get a 12.5 cm stem, I should be very close to the “cockpit” I’m accustomed to. However, the salesman tells me I’d be better off on a 54 cm Soloist. That has a 54.5 cm eff top tube and comes with a 11 cm stem. So far it seems like a toss-up.
The Cervelo website encourages you to compare a couple of measures they call “reach” and “stack” between your existing bike and the Soloist frame. Reach is a dead-on match with the 51 cm Soloist, and stack is closer than it would be with the 54 cm frame.
I’m long-torso’d and short-legged. The standover on a 54 cm compact frame wouldn’t give me much clearance. That’s not a big concern 'cuz I don’t have much now. But I’m not riding a compact frame now, either. All my instincts are telling me the 54 cm is too large. But that’s what the salesman/“fit expert” is pushing. (He has both frame sizes in stock, so it’s not like he’s trying to steer me to what’s on the floor.) I’d say the choice to go with the 51 cm would be a no-brainer except for one thing. Cervelo ships the 51 cm with a 10 cm stem. I’ll have to swap that for a 12.5. Not a big deal unless there’s some handling compromise or something I need to take into consideration. On the other hand, the 54 cm ships with an 11 cm stem which puts the combined top tube and stem length precisely where my current bike is (despite those “reach” and “stack” measures which are significantly different).
Please resist the “go ride it” advice. There’s not a Cervelo Soloist to be ridden within several hours drive time of where I live. I’m in a remote, rural area.
Do I go with the smaller bike and the longer stem? Or, do I go with the larger bike and the “stock” stem?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom.
Bob C.
What is your inseam? Measure it as described on this site http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit
Although it’s a compact frame, Cervelo sizes then traditionally as based upon the formula on the site.
What is your height? The guy to ask is Tom Demerly. If Tom doesn’t see this post send him a PM. Tom rode a Soloist and if my memory is right he’s about 5’8" or 5’9" and describes himself as short legged and rides a 51 cm. I’m 5’10" with 50/50 leg/torso and would ride a 54 cm Soloist.
Also realize that you have about 3 cm of cm stem length to comfortably play with. So also consider your flexibility/age as being factors as to going to the smaller or larger frame.
Hey Tom,
It was suggested that I make sure you see this post. Would appreciate your insight.
I’m about to order a Cervelo Soloist by mail order. I’ve been researching frame sizes/geometry compared to my Trek 5500.
My Trek is a 52cm with a 53.1 cm eff. top tube and a 12.5 cm stem.
The 51 cm Soloist has a 53.0 cm eff. top tube and, if I get a 12.5 cm stem, I should be very close to the “cockpit” I’m accustomed to. However, the salesman tells me I’d be better off on a 54 cm Soloist. That has a 54.5 cm eff top tube and comes with a 11 cm stem. So far it seems like a toss-up.
The Cervelo website encourages you to compare a couple of measures they call “reach” and “stack” between your existing bike and the Soloist frame. Reach is a dead-on match with the 51 cm Soloist, and stack is closer than it would be with the 54 cm frame.
I’m long-torso’d and short-legged. The standover on a 54 cm compact frame wouldn’t give me much clearance. That’s not a big concern 'cuz I don’t have much now. But I’m not riding a compact frame now, either. All my instincts are telling me the 54 cm is too large. But that’s what the salesman/“fit expert” is pushing. (He has both frame sizes in stock, so it’s not like he’s trying to steer me to what’s on the floor.) I’d say the choice to go with the 51 cm would be a no-brainer except for one thing. Cervelo ships the 51 cm with a 10 cm stem. I’ll have to swap that for a 12.5. Not a big deal unless there’s some handling compromise or something I need to take into consideration. On the other hand, the 54 cm ships with an 11 cm stem which puts the combined top tube and stem length precisely where my current bike is (despite those “reach” and “stack” measures which are significantly different).
Please resist the “go ride it” advice. There’s not a Cervelo Soloist to be ridden within several hours drive time of where I live. I’m in a remote, rural area.
Do I go with the smaller bike and the longer stem? Or, do I go with the larger bike and the “stock” stem?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom.
Bob C.