Have it down to these two. I just looked at the Specialized today, the LBS just got it in last week. They seem to know little about the Transition and fitting it, so I am apprehensive about buying it from them. First off, I need to know what size I am going to need for both. I am 5’8" with and inseam of 29.5". What is my jumping off point for bike size on these two bikes? I just want a ballpark, so I can start looking. I will then start narrowing it down and then finally getting more specific with the fitting. Any input on size would be appreciated. Thanks
Based off your height I would suggest a medium. One thing to look for is making sure the shop has a Specialized BG Fitter on staff,preferably an Advanced BG Fitter if not you can look on the dealer locator for these fitters. In the Advanced course I went thru last December we speant time on especially fitting the Transition. Also if you can find a Specialized dealer that uses the new BG Fit DATA system it makes fitting a pretty cool and educational experience.
Robert Driskell
Advanced BG Fit Technician
Competition Sports
Gulfport MS
Whoa.
I’m not going to try to fit someone based on the information you provided but I will make this suggestion: Take a hard look at your torso to inseam ratio before you make a decision. Your local bike fitter will assist you with this.
I am definitely going to get fit very specifically. I was just looking for a jumping off point. Some of the LBS near me don’t have a lot of bikes to choose from, so they don’t have a lot of choices in size. I don’t want to waste time looking at these LBS’s, if they don’t even have anything remotely my size.
Tom -
What’s the proper way to measure the torso? Do you measure from the floor to sternum and then subtract the inseam?
Then do you look at bikes with a similar ratio? I’m sure this is over-simplified, but is that where you typically start flexibility and other fit concerns?
Thanks,
-Tim
Tom I of course was not fitting based off the info provided I was just giving him the ballpark area to start with,thats why I did suggest that he find a fitter.
Very cool that your lbs has received the transition. I am hearing late March here in San Diego @ B&L Bikes.
Have it down to these two. I just looked at the Specialized today, the LBS just got it in last week. They seem to know little about the Transition and fitting it, so I am apprehensive about buying it from them. First off, I need to know what size I am going to need for both. I am 5’8" with and inseam of 29.5". What is my jumping off point for bike size on these two bikes? I just want a ballpark, so I can start looking. I will then start narrowing it down and then finally getting more specific with the fitting. Any input on size would be appreciated. Thanks
Here in San Diego two friends of mine are now riding the new Transitions. From what I see (and from what I hear from the experienced crew at B+L that fit them) one of the best features of the new Transitions is how well they are able to fit a wide range of different sized riders. For example, the sloping top tube, two different position seat posts (for a total of 4 possible setbacks), and various possible stem combinations provides a lot of variables that can be adjusted when choosing the correct frame size when considering other variables such as torso to leg length etc. The fitters were excited at how well they could fit the bike to the rider and the riders are excited about riding such an incredible machine.
one of the best features of the new Transitions is how well they are able to fit a wide range of different sized riders. For example, the sloping top tube, two different position seat posts (for a total of 4 possible setbacks), and various possible stem combinations provides a lot of variables that can be adjusted
This is hardly unique. A good fitter can do a lot to make different frames fit. A muppet store can do even more to make a bike “fit” by ignoring safety rules or positioning conventions.
I have the Transition stack & reach documents if you’re interested in those?
So I notice you’re in the TC Metro area? Which bike shop did you go to, and which model did they have? I’m waiting on the delivery of a Trans. Pro…
As for the bike fitting, I completely understand your concern. I don’t know how confident I am going to be with my LBS doing the fitting either.
I may just end up going to Gear West to get it dialed in anyway.
one of the best features of the new Transitions is how well they are able to fit a wide range of different sized riders. For example, the sloping top tube, two different position seat posts (for a total of 4 possible setbacks), and various possible stem combinations provides a lot of variables that can be adjusted
This is hardly unique. A good fitter can do a lot to make different frames fit. A muppet store can do even more to make a bike “fit” by ignoring safety rules or positioning conventions.
My point was that the transition is well suited to a wide variety of fits without going to the extremes you mention. For example, a sloping top tube allows more focus on top tube length rather than stand over height thus enabling a wider range of athletes to ‘fit’ a specific size. Obviously there is more to it than that, but you get my point. The multiple seat posts, conservative handling geometry etc all contribute to being a bike that is a dream to fit (and from what I hear a pleasure to ride).
Erik’s in Woodbury has a 54cm Transition base model for 2899.00, not the S-works. The guy I talked to there had no idea how to fit that bike. He was confused by the seat stem and the fork. He was, however, willing to swap out the 105’s for some better components, since I don’t need the wheels it comes with. I was also thinking about going out to Gear West too, but it’s a hike for me being on the east side of the cities. Penn in Woodbury said today that they would be getting their Cervelos in in about 2-3 weeks. Maybe I’ll wait for the Cervelo, but the Specialized was a nice bike. Again, they didn’t seem to know much about the bike.
No worries. That was what l figured. Either bike you go with you’ll likely be satisfied. they are both nice bikes- very nice.
Have it down to these two. I just looked at the Specialized today, the LBS just got it in last week. They seem to know little about the Transition and fitting it, so I am apprehensive about buying it from them. First off, I need to know what size I am going to need for both. I am 5’8" with and inseam of 29.5". What is my jumping off point for bike size on these two bikes? I just want a ballpark, so I can start looking. I will then start narrowing it down and then finally getting more specific with the fitting. Any input on size would be appreciated. Thanks
I don’t know if this matters in your decision but it was one of the main factors that influenced one of the people I know- the P3 is likely to be somewhat soon replaced by the P4 while the Transition is ‘new’ (more likely to stay the newest model for a while at least). The guy I know was concerned with eventual re-sale value of the P3…
The Transition and P3 have much the same ‘basic’ technology (faired rear wheel, airfoil tubing, etc) but the Transition has additional features like the aero front brake, hidden rear brake, faired stem, Specialized crankset, aero cable routing (behind stem instead of downtube), and faired cassette. Don’t get me wrong, the Cervelo is a good bike, it’s just that the Transition is an incredible bike (in my opinion).
BTW, other than the S-Works frame, all the carbon Transitions are the same frame with different components and paint. In other words, you can buy the ‘base’ model or the ‘pro’ model and you will be riding the same frame, just with a different look and different parts. The S-Works uses a different carbon to be slightly lighter while retaining the stiffness and other ride qualities.
Thanks Ryan. I will have to up my research as I get closer to a decision. I am also reconsidering the P2C. Thanks for the info, you’ve been very helpful. I won’t get the S-works, but the other frames are very nice. Hopefully my LBS gets more informed on this bike.
I’d head to Gear West for some one stop shopping. I live down in Rochester and bought my bike down here. I went up there to get fitted.
I don’t think “fits” have been done using standover height as a guide in a couple decades. Since when is standover an issue on a “medium” frame?
With regards to sloping top tubes, in my experience the only thing it gives you is more frontal area.
With the variable position posts, that won’t accomadate different sized riders, only a wider range of seat angle preference.
For example, I wouldn’t ride a large size if I rode slack, I’d ride a medium (yes, at 6’2"). The large couldn’t be made to fit just because I could ride it at 73, 76, 79, or 82 degrees.
-SD
ryan, i am curious, how wide in mm is the specialized’s down tube (in about the center of the tube) and how wide in mm is the seat tube (near the center of the seat tube, in front of the rear wheel) ?
dt 72x26
st 51x26
ht 37 (despite using a 1" fork this is still 2mm wider than P2C/P3C)
.
dt 72x26
st 51x26
ht 37 (despite using a 1" fork this is still 2mm wider than P2C/P3C)
That seems oversimplified for the ht, what is the difference in SURFACE AREA, not the narrowest point?