General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Too Small of a Bike? Rss Feed  
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2015-08-21 3:40 PM


12

Reston, Virginia
Subject: Too Small of a Bike?
I've been riding a 56 cm Fuji Roubaix for a couple months now. When I bought it I had to test drive it a bunch of times because I really wasn't sure about the frame size. I've kind of gotten used to it now. Did a race last weekend and saw the pictures and it just looks likes it's too small of a frame. I think from the picture I at least need to move the seat up. I'm going to try to attach the photo. I'm 6' tall. I test drove a specialized 58 cm and it felt like I was on a beach cruzer. Perhaps different geometry.

Edited by dupdup 2015-08-21 3:41 PM




(BikeImage.jpg)



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BikeImage.jpg (98KB - 1 downloads)


2015-08-22 8:15 AM
in reply to: dupdup

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Pro
5892
5000500100100100252525
, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?
It's either too large of a rider or too small of a bike. :-)

It looks like you shift almost all of your weight backwards… the ideal fit will evenly distribute your weight over the center of the wheel base; leading to best balance and handling.

You can't compare size denominations between brands (or even within the same brand commonly). A "58" truly doesn't mean anything since there's no such thing as a standard.
2015-08-24 6:50 AM
in reply to: dupdup

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Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?

Too much dude, not enough bike.

Actually, the first glaring thing I see is that the seat is quite a bit too low. And your torso is way too vertical. These are likely related, but take care of the seat height first.

Weight balance you can measure using a scale and a trainer. But your position needs attention first.

2015-08-25 12:29 PM
in reply to: 0


12

Reston, Virginia
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?
I moved my seat up about 1/2 inch and put on some tri bars. Can you guys take a look at the latest picture? Is this a workable bike or do I really need to think about getting a bigger one? Hate to think I'm not maximizing the effort I'm expending. I think I've just gotten used to it.

Edited by dupdup 2015-08-25 12:31 PM




(TriBars.jpg)



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TriBars.jpg (109KB - 1 downloads)
2015-08-25 12:41 PM
in reply to: dupdup

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Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?
longer stem... much longer stem. Won't change that the bike isn't big enough, but it might get you closer.
2015-08-25 4:02 PM
in reply to: Leegoocrap

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Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?

Originally posted by Leegoocrap longer stem... much longer stem. Won't change that the bike isn't big enough, but it might get you closer.

For a tri fit, I agree (and yes, you need a bike that shifts the whole rider interface forward). Be aware that the handling of the bike may become... interesting and possibly very exciting.

But I have to throw out the question of what you're trying to optimize here -- max TT speed (making a road bike into a tri bike), or a good road fit and adding aero bars?



2015-08-25 8:28 PM
in reply to: 0


12

Reston, Virginia
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?
My focus is almost entirely on doing sprint tri's. I did two this summer, one on a mountain bike. When I go out riding it's always for 10-12 miles pretty much as fast as possible. I don't do 40 mile rides or any longer distances. My goal is to move up to Olympic length tri's in 2-5 years. Can't do the swim right now. So I guess this is an intermediate bike until I can justify a real tri bike.

What position am I trying to get to? If I got a longer stem wouldn't that make me more upright?

Edited by dupdup 2015-08-25 8:31 PM
2015-08-26 10:11 AM
in reply to: dupdup

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Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?

Originally posted by dupdup  If I got a longer stem wouldn't that make me more upright?

No -- stem length is the extension from the steerer to the handlebars. In general, for that to extend directly forward (level to the ground), you'd want a -17 degree angle. Other angles will put you higher or lower, depending on which direction you install the stem.

2015-08-26 2:55 PM
in reply to: briderdt

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Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Too Small of a Bike?
Originally posted by briderdt

Originally posted by Leegoocrap longer stem... much longer stem. Won't change that the bike isn't big enough, but it might get you closer.

For a tri fit, I agree (and yes, you need a bike that shifts the whole rider interface forward). Be aware that the handling of the bike may become... interesting and possibly very exciting.

But I have to throw out the question of what you're trying to optimize here -- max TT speed (making a road bike into a tri bike), or a good road fit and adding aero bars?




exciting is what we're all after...right...right...guys...

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