This message goes out to all of the bike fit & sizing experts. I’ve been racing tri’s for years and have recently taken some time off to help eliminate the “burned out” stage in my life. I have hung the tri bike up to rest for a while and need to get a new road bike to keep me in shape and riding.
I’m torn between sizes and need help!
I’m 5’11" with a 32" inseam. I’ve been to one shop that I need a 56cm, another a 58cm, and yet another that tells me a 60cm is the size best for me! I’m looking at the Trek Madone 5.9 and with this being a larger purchase have no idea what to go with.
If I were your height, with your inseam, I’d be all over that 56. Can you sit on them both in the store? The seat height will not be an issue on either the 56 or 58, but the 58 may be just a tad bit long depending on your torso length, arm length, and the position you ride in. My opinion.
I am 5’10… and ride a 58cm 2011 6.9 H2. Fits me perfectly. I have a 135mm seat cap and it is at the minimum insertion height. Stem is 110mm, -17 degree with only one 5mm spacer under the stem. Most people would say I should ride a 56… but it feels too small for me.
Definitely not a 58cm. I was told up and down by someone that I need a 58cm Madone (2011) as well, but went with a 56cm since my last four Madones were all 56cm, and the 2011 model in 56 fit like a glove. I’m 6’0", 32" inseam. 56cm and it’s the most comfortable bike I’ve ever been on.
5’ 9.75" on a tall day with 32" inseam…58cm Madone, 100-110stem (don’t remember) -7deg, 5mm spacer. I like it long and low. Spend most of my time at the hoods with forearms level.
I am the same height as you, but with an inseam of 33.5". What size would you recommend? I used to ride a 1996 OCLV in size 56 with a ton of spacers and still had a good amount of drop. It seems like the 58 would be way too big. I have been riding 54cm bikes from other manufacturers and always have my stem all the way up with about 6" of drop. Usually the next size up feels too stretched out. I have a short torso, long limbs and am pretty flexible.
absolutely not the guy with the inside scoop on road bike sizing…our own or anyone else’s, I’m afraid. staying on top of the tri knowledge keeps me plenty busy! I’ll throw a couple things out there though:
in the days of level toptubes our 56 would’ve been comparable to many others’ 54, as our convention had been (for some time) to measure the seat tube C-T vs C-C. that general geometric philosophy has carried forward into these days of virtual toptubes…but we also show our road bikes in terms of stack and reach now because it’s a more portable and easily comparable set of figures. the good news is with our H1-H2-H3 front end fit paradigm you can now swap spacers for frame (headtube) length to get your desired stack (and do away with hi-rise stems) without having to upsize the whole bike.
