Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

2007-05-03 8:37 PM

Member

Subject: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

All -

I unfortunately live in an area where no shop seems to stock many tri bikes (especially in my size range) so I need to have some sort of idea of what I need as it will likely have to be ordered.

I bought a 52cm Felt S22 a few months back that is too big for me (mainly in the legs - the proprietary seatpost design widens towards the top which doesn't allow it to go low enough for me). I'm thinking of getting a new frame, selling the old frame online, and just swapping the parts over. The S22 has 700c wheels.

I was looking at the Small 700c Lucero and I think it might fit me. I'm pretty short (5'7") and have a 28.5" inseam so I have a long torso. Would that bike be good for me, or are there other recommendations?

Any info would greatly help.

Thanks,
Matt

Edited by EnduranceMatt 2007-05-03 8:37 PM

2007-05-03 9:51 PM

in reply to: #787993

Elite

2608

Denver, Colorado

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

This may be a stupid question but, unless your seat is all the way down, how is your bike too long in the legs?

FWIW, I'm roughly your proportions - 5'8" with around a 29" inseam - and I have a Giant with a medium frame. You can adjust the handlebars and such to get the right reach.

2007-05-03 9:54 PM

in reply to: #787993

Member

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Nah, not a stupid question at all. My seatpost is designed where unfortunately I pretty much HAVE to have about 3 to 4" of the seatpost sticking up because it changes shape near the top of the post.

2007-05-03 9:57 PM

in reply to: #787993

Elite

2608

Denver, Colorado

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Could you get a different seat post or is this specific for this type of bike?

2007-05-03 9:59 PM

in reply to: #787993

Member

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

I've been looking into it and unfortunately it doesn't seem like it... specific to this bike... shame isn't it? :\

Edited by EnduranceMatt 2007-05-03 9:59 PM

2007-05-03 10:24 PM

in reply to: #787993

Elite

2608

Denver, Colorado

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Sounds like a conspiracy by the bike manufacturer to only by their components.

Hamner

2007-05-03 11:31 PM

in reply to: #787993

Veteran

270

Tuscaloosa, AL

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Matt, I'm about the same dimensions (5' 7.5", 29" inseam) and ride a 51 P2C. I do have a short stem, but it fits great. I think the geometry is pretty close to the Lucero/Caliente/Seduza but I have a hard time looking at geometry charts and interpreting them.

It's nice just to be able to walk into any store and buy pants right off the rack isn't it.

2007-05-03 11:54 PM

in reply to: #788119

Member

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Hamner - 2007-05-03 11:31 PM

It's nice just to be able to walk into any store and buy pants right off the rack isn't it.

Cool, thanks for the tip. I've also been looking into the P2C and P2SL for the reasons you described above. I'm hoping the local shops at least have one of this or last year's models in a 51 so I could be sure it fit well. If worse comes to worse, I could see if I can find an online store with an excellent return program (if they think I fit a 51 then it turns out otherwise). The seatposts in these bikes can also go lower than my current one.

Yeah, it's awesome being able to get any pants I want... provided one of the couple people I know who can take them up are in a good mood.

2007-05-04 1:06 AM

in reply to: #788119

Elite

2608

Denver, Colorado

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Hamner - 2007-05-03 11:31 PM

It's nice just to be able to walk into any store and buy pants right off the rack isn't it.

Sometimes a pair of long shorts work just fine - as long pants.

My problem is I'm short and stocky. Try finding a 48 Short suit - they don't exist.

matt3liv

2007-05-04 7:12 AM

in reply to: #787993

Master

2356

Fenton, MI

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Are you sure you can't get another seat post? It might be another brand, but you should still be able to find the right diameter.

I have a Felt S25. At first, I thought it was a little big for me, but after new pedals and shoes, I think I'm just about right. I had the same felt seat post as low as it would go. So low that I could no longer use an x-wing on it. Pull the post, check the dimension, and check out JensonUSA to see if you can find a compatible size.

I'd certainly go through that effort before finding another frame and swapping everything over.

Bajapat

2007-05-04 8:44 AM

in reply to: #787993

Expert

695

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

If you LOVE this bike and it's the one you wanted I would try to find a LBS that does fittings and get on.. you might have to buy some more parts(stem and the like) but if your in love with it it would be worth it.

KenyonTri

2007-05-04 9:38 AM

in reply to: #787993

Master

2299

New York

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

I could be wrong about this, but it looks like the "Felt ally aero" seatpost that's included on the S25 narrows a bit below the "aero" section. Now, from what I can see, it appears to narrow to a standard looking round post. As I said, I could be wrong...but it looks like you can replace your seatpost with any standard, round 28.0mm one. It won't have that aero flare like the stock one does, but you'll be able to drop it as low as you need to.

matt3liv

2007-05-04 9:50 AM

in reply to: #788507

Master

2356

Fenton, MI

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

KenyonTri - 2007-05-04 10:38 AM

I could be wrong about this, but it looks like the "Felt ally aero" seatpost that's included on the S25 narrows a bit below the "aero" section. Now, from what I can see, it appears to narrow to a standard looking round post. As I said, I could be wrong...but it looks like you can replace your seatpost with any standard, round 28.0mm one. It won't have that aero flare like the stock one does, but you'll be able to drop it as low as you need to.

I'm about 95% positive that I have the same post, and it does go to round. Its at home though, so I can't check the diameter. Are road/tri bikes standardized? I know that mtb are not.

KenyonTri

2007-05-04 10:17 AM

in reply to: #787993

Master

2299

New York

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

Most road/tri bikes will take a standard 28.0mm seatpost, if the seat tube hole is round. Again, I may be wrong, but I've never seen a straight up round, non-aero post of a different diameter.

Unfortunately I couldn't find the diameter of the Felt post anywhere on the net, so I can't say this with 100% certainty - just going on looks.

matt3liv

2007-05-04 10:30 AM

in reply to: #787993

Master

2356

Fenton, MI

Subject: RE: Short Legs, Long Torso - And my bike is too big for me :X

The other option, although not ideal, is to shim it.