Stack and Reach question (1)

I currently own a 2006 QR Tequilo (54) and am looking to upgrade. I’m interested in the Specialized Transition, but most importantly a correct fit. I’ve looked at the stack and reach numbers for the '07 QR Tequilo (which i assume it would be pretty close to the geometry of the '06)and the Medium Transition, but it’s not doing much for me as I’m not to sure what I’m looking at. Is it possible to tell if a frame size will fit by the stack and reach numbers? Just trying to research what my options may be before spending to much money on a fit or a wrong sized bike.

Thanks for any help or advice you can provide…

   Size  Stack  Reach  Wheel  HS  HT  Stem  Hbars  SA  Ft/Ctr               **QR**  46  45.0  38.0  650C  int  90  90x5  Low  78.5  568     49  50.0  40.0  700C  int  90  90x5  Low  78.5  590   07 KILO  52  50.0  42.0  700C  int  90  100x5  Low  78.5  603   07 TEQUILO  55  52.0  44.0  700C  int  110  100x5  Low  78.5  637     58  54.5  45.5  700C  int  140  110x5  Low  78.5  662     61  57.0  47.0  700C  int  165  110x5  Low  78.5  683                          SEDUZA                       CALIENTE                       LUCERO      

    Size  Stack  Reach  Wheel  HS  HT  Stem  Hbars  SA  Ft/Ctr               **SPECIALIZED**  Small  50.5  38.0  700C  int  100  75x8  *  *  57.5     Medium  51.6  39.5  700C  int  110  75x8  *  *  58.9   All 2008 Transition  Large  52.6  40.5  700C  int  120  90x8  *  *  60.2     XLarge  52.7  42.5  700C  int  120  100x8  *  *  62.1

Bump…

Maybe I can get a little love from the “not quite ready to go back to work on Monday morning crowd.”

Thanks in advance.

I would say you must mean the 55cm Tequilo? A medium Specialized Transition is going to have close to the same stack but about 4cm less reach. The large Transition adds another 1cm of reach. That would mean to get the same position on the Specialized you will have to move your saddle back or lengthen the stem or both. If you can do that depends on your current fit.
Like always get a proper Tri bike fit, that will tell you how it will work for you.

Kevin

You will have some room to play with if you are willing to swap stem and bars when you change the frame. (are you buying a whole bike, or just the frame?)

In addition to using the stack/reach numbers you’ll want to know where your arm rests are in relation to the top of the head tube. (think of that as another stack/reach value).
If your new frame has 1cm higher stack you’ll need a 1cm lower armrest on the new bars to match.

But how sure are we that your current fit is optimal?

Ah, Thanks for the reply!

I would most likely be looking at just a frameset, so I can put on my own selection of parts. I’ve been riding the same bike in the same relative position for about two years. I’ve done a bunch of sprints, an Oly and two halfs and have felt very comfortable. I was fit when I originally bought the bike and then again about a year later. Both were completed by reputable bike shops in the area.

I guess my question is if you can tell just from the stack and reach numbers if a bike would be in the right ball park for a person. I obviously want to avoid getting a bike, going for a fit and finding out it’s to small/big. I also would like to avoid wasting the time of an LBS to tell me that certain bike would or would not be optimal for me, if I know going in I have no intention of buying their bike or getting my fit done by them.

Well, if you would like to swap over all parts, including your stem/bars then you would want a frame with the same stack/reach as your current one. Different bikes use different style headsets so if you are really picky you’ll want to know if there is any headset stack to deal with (ie. how high above the headtube the headset extends). My guess is that you could handle a few cm’s difference in reach and 1cm in stack. But this may depend somewhat on your bars. Some have adjustable elbow rests and others don’t.

Thanks so much for your help!

Keith