I know - I should go to my LBS and get fitted. That is not seeming like an option. So I find myself needing to turn to the internet. I used the calculator at competitivecyclist.com. Any comments on reliability of something like this. I got the standard inseam measurement at the LBS (they actually used some sort of standover device for this measurement) which, according to them, suggested a 58cm frame (about 90cm floor to crotch measurement)
Here are my entries (cm):
Inseam: 90
Trunk: 66
Forearm: 36
Arm: 77.5
Thigh: 63
Lower Leg: 58
Sternal Notch: 154
and here is the output:
Seat tube range c-c: 58.3 - 58.8
Seat tube range c-t: 60.1 - 60.6
Top tube length: 57.9 - 58.3
Stem Length: 12.2 - 12.8
BB-Saddle Position: 81.1 - 83.1
Saddle-Handlebar: 58.1 - 58.7
Saddle Setback: 6.7 - 7.1
Seatpost Type: NON-SETBACK
seems to suggest that 58 or 59 is a good bet. What about going 1cm smaller at 57?? If that 57cm frame has a 55.5 or 56cm top tube, is it too small?
Given a road bike and a tri bike, assuming good fit with both, will they have the same top tube length, or will the tri bike be shorter?
God, i am confused. Somebody straighten me out, please!