CHOOSING
YOUR SIZE
It has been said over and over : size is of great
importance in chosing your frame. Unless you are really experienced
in the matter (and even then…), you should read this carefully.
Please pardon my insistence, but this is an aspect of your
decision that could easily make the difference between years of
satisfaction and bad ergonomics eventually combined with a sore
back and/or what-not. So read, and heed.
It is likely that if you are reading this you already
own a bicycle frame. Are you comfortable and efficient on it,
in the normal conditions that you will be using the next one?
Traditionally, a lot of emphasis was put on the height of the
seat tube. This focus is somewhat obsolete because the approach
to frame-building has been transformed radically by the advent
of the short seat tube/long seat post configuration. Older cyclists
that are not familiar with this reality sometimes have a future
shock because frames appear smaller than what they are used to.
But bear in mind that nowadays most seat posts currently available
now measure at least 300 mm (12 inches) whereas they used to measure
about 180 mm (7 inches). That is why, nowadays, numerous specialists
consider that the top tube length is more important than the seat
tube height in chosing your frame size, especially given the fact
that there are so many types of frame proportions nowadays.
If you use your current bicycle to find out what size
the next frame should be, here are a few clues that should help
you. First, in order to be comfortable, did you have to bring
the saddle as forward as possible, or as far back as possible?
That might mean the frame and/or the stem may not be the right
size for you. Second, is your back flat? I’m not talking about
whether you are more or less upright on your bike. I mean, the
lower back should draw as straight a line as possible to the upper
back, regardless of how much you lean over the handlebar. You
shouldn’t feel like you borrowed this bike from your little sister
(bunched cockpit) or your big brother (stretched like Superman
on duty). It is also desirable to have bent elbows : it’s
less strenuous and absorbs vibrations better. You can clearly
see the line your back makes when you look at yourself while riding
in front of a store window.
Some fitting machines can be used to find the frame
size you need : you might have seen one in a bike shop. Although
this approach may have some appeal, ask yourself these questions :
will the numbers be accurate if it is used by an inexperienced
salespeople? Can you establish a fruitful dialogue with the machine
operator? Why have so many inconclusive results been obtained
through the use of these machines? Anyway those devices sure give
a professional look to the sales floor. Finally, don’t forget
that a very well sized frame won’t feel that good if the final
tuning has not been done correctly with the saddle and the handlebar.
One important aspect of sizing is the relationship
between leg length and torso length. For any given body height,
a person can be in the short legs/long torso category, or the
opposite, or of a more balanced (is that politically correct?)
type. This might be especially important to consider if you are
somewhat in between two sizes in the suggestions that I make hereafter,
in that it will help orient your choice. For example, you could
decide that, since you measure 1.71m, your longer-than-average
torso will tempt you in getting a medium hybrid/touring frame.
The stem. The all-important stem. Too little has been
said about this part. Please do invest in a correct size stem.
It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, mine don’t. But the horizontal
length and its elevation angle are decisive in making sure you
will feel at home on that frame, from the start. You should adapt
the frame to you, and not the opposite. And although a different
stem is not an ideal solution to get a good bike fit, the wrong
size stem will ruin an otherwise correctly sized frame. Keep in
mind that a 10 mm difference in length size is perceptible even
by an inexperienced cyclist. Plus, a good-looking stem will enhance
the look of your bike in a non-negligible way, even though I’d
much rather ride with an ugly-looking stem with the right numbers
than a good-looking one that doesn’t feel right.
Also please keep in mind that many experienced cyclists
went through a trial-and-error process before they finally found
the size they need. Also some people are more difficult to fit
than others. This is especially true with extremely small or tall
riders. I once was offered a custom-built frame by a local frame-builder.
I liked it. But, as expected, it was only minutely different from
what I was used to. I don’t think that most people (especially
men) need custom-built frames. But if you really feel the need
for it, go for it. Just make sure that, if there is an intermediary
between you and the framebuilder, he or she is experienced, or
they could ruin whatever expertise the framebuilder has. And don’t
be surprised if their price is higher than ours…
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HYBRID/TOURING
FRAMES
EXTRA-SMALL
Petite women will chose this one. You measure between
1.52m and 1.58m (5’ and 5’2), then this will be fine. The frames
are compact, so they will not be too high for you. The length
of the frame is just as important and this has been built proportionately.
SMALL
A very popular size. Most women chose this one, as
well as men that are not tall. Between 1.60m and 1.70m (5’3 and
5’7).
MEDIUM
Few women will be comfortable on this one. This is
typically offered to men or women between 1.72m and 1.80m (5’8
and 5’11).
LARGE
If you buy clothing in the LARGE size and you’re not
fat, this is for you. More specifically, between 1.81m and 1.90m
(5’11 and 6’2½).
EXTRA-LARGE
When you were young, adults would tell you how tall
you were. Now they usually don’t say it, but they notice nonetheless.
You are between 1.90m and 1.93m (6’2½ and 6’4).
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COMPACT
RACING FRAMES
SMALL
Many women will enjoy this one. Its compactness will
make sure it’s not too high and the short top tube combined with
a short stem will make you happy from 1.60m (5’3). Depending on
your torso length, you will be fine up to 1.68m (5’6). You should
expect some toe clip overlap on this one.
MEDIUM
Still short lengthwise but somewhat higher. If you
are 1.78m (5’10) you will probably prefer a 130mm stem. Between
1.69m and 1.78m (5’6 and 5’10).
ALU
8 RACING FRAMES
SMALL-MEDIUM
Between 1.73m and 1.77m (5’8 and 5’9¾).
MEDIUM
Between 1.77m and 1.81m (5’10 and 5’11).
LARGE
Between 1.82m and 1.86m (6’ and 6’1).
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MOUNTAIN
BIKE FRAMES
Recommendations
for hybrid/touring frames do apply also to our mountain bike frames,
although it should be noted that cyclists going for a more typically
mountain bike use might prefer a one-notch smaller frame than
they normally would because they will appreciate the maneuvrability
of a rather small frame. But that won’t give you a roomy cockpit.
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