Choosing the Right Bike Frame Size & Why It's So Difficult - BikeFitTuesdays

what is stack and reach and how to choose frame size is one of the most asked questions we get. Here's why it's so difficult.

The following companies (that you'll see in my content) support me either financially or with free stuff, so huge thanks to these guys for helping the channel thrive:
Attacus Cycling,
Wilier Triestina,
MET Helmets,
Shimano,
SkinGrowsBack,
Hutchinson Tyres
Pedalsure

#cycling #bikes #bicycle #bikefit

[RhettShull]

Anyone know a good bike fitter around Atlanta Ga? IBFI has nobody in the state.

[echtogammut]

A good follow up video would be how to translate your bike fit numbers into finding frames that are best for your fit.

[AndrewBlucher]

Thanks as always James and Francis.
As a retailer but not a bike fitter, I can say a few things. Yes, it is _very_ expensive to buy a bike that is too big. But it has two other effects: you will never get your own optimal performance on it, and you can cause yourself injuries.
There is one more thing I'd add. Many customers have a "big bike" mindset. They expect a certain size bike, and that size is too big. So they resist a smaller size frame.
One can do many things to adapt a small frame to a rider, but you can't just cut a chunk off a large frame to make it smaller. So err on the small side.
And personally I find a small frame is just a lot more fun.

[wizbiz]

I remember walking into a bike shop 5 years ago with my L (58cm top tube) bike. The guy in the shop told me that bike is small(!) for me and advised me to change it. Today I'm riding a 54 cm top tube bike that I bought after a bike fit considering why I'll use it for and my limits. Can't be happier. Good advices!

[Aureas]

Recently found this channel and it made me question my recently bought crazy expensive supersix. I am now stuck between wanting to know more and not wanting to know more.

[marcwilson]

I’m 5’ 10” and on a “51” with a 53mm virtual top tube. I came off a 56 that felt wayyy to big. I happen to really like the 51 but have always felt vaguely guilty for being on a bike that was “too small”. This video makes me feel better!

[NVGTO]

It's our parents' fault: "you'll grow into it"!

[TheSamwhyte]

James has a weird energy… He clearly loves bikes and is very knowledgeable, but the way he talks makes it sound like everything bike-related also pisses him off! 😂

[oeylille]

Roadbike: XS
Mountainbike: M
Bibshorts: L
Helmet: XL

[chiefrocker]

Agree with your suggested approach. I'm 6 feet tall, inseam of almost 80cm, according to most bike fit sizes, 56 or 58 cm have been regularly suggested. I have been basing size on seat setback and my desired reach, taking into account seat to bar drop.... This has now landed me commonly on a 54cm....validated!!

[junomaxzoey]

This is the best video I've seen, so far, about bike sizing. Some people are making me feel inferior for choosing a 50cm Trek bike. I am only 5'7". The Trek computer sizing had me as 56." I tried the 56 and fell hitting my head. For two weeks I had severe neck pain from the fall. I was torn between 50 and 52, but felt very comfortable on 50. This video gave me self-reassurance. Thank you so much.

[rellimnitsujgmail]

Great video. It's SO hard to get dialed in nowadays, you really have to get a fitting and try lots of different frames before buying. And when in doubt err on the side of too small rather than too large. I'm 5'10" and in recent years I have spent loads of money buying/building/renting everything from a 50cm Colnago to a 52cm Trek, 54cm BMC and 55cm Bianchi more or less comfortably, by altering seat layback, stem lengths and angles, crank lengths, etc. Not a one gave me that "like a glove" feeling, however. Thousands of miles (and dollars) later I've FINALLY found the absolute sweet spot (for me) with my 53cm Pinarello GAN disc, 100mm stem, 170mm cranks and 40cm bars. Now that it's all dialed in I'll probably ride 53cm Pinarello's until I'm dead and gone!

[UriVel]

This guy is the first person I have seen on youtube that really knows what he is talking about.

[Monarchy]

Loving the bike fit "Tuesdays"

[alanridley]

James. You are a legend. You have explained so many more relevant conditions affecting bike frame sizes than anyone i know. Thanks for the straight talk. You really do help us all out here in bikesville. Francis, keep up the great work. We all appreciate it.

[DH-klob]

I struggle with road bike size a lot... I'm 5'10.5 and ride a 56 tarmac sl6. I seriously considered a 54, but I felt like the stack was not enough for my flexibility. I'm a Cat 3-4 rider and ride 10-15 hrs/week. On the 56, I use 30mm of stem spacers, a 110 stem, and 0 offset seatpost. I can maintain a nice aero position on the hoods with elbows at 70-90 angle and can ride in the drops indefinitely as well. I've ridden my bike up to 6 hours with no issues... I love my bike, but you are right I probably should be on a smaller frame "endurance" bike... I would love to try a 54 too and see if I can get it fit correctly, but it's not in the cards to experiment with high end bikes. Getting a fit is a good idea before buying, but your not going to really know if your on the right bike until after riding it in real world conditions over time...

[neilt]

I'm no PRO, 53 yrs old and always ridden bikes . One thing I've learned, it's a minefield . Personally at 5.8", I go Small all day long over Medium even if M is recommended size .

[Digi]

I am 1.83m (6ft) and just changed from a very nice fitting 54cm gravel frameset to a different one in 58cm. i have choosen the bigger one because i wanted more space in the frame triangle for bottles and bags and no toe overlap with big tires. the new frame has 54mm(!) higher stack and 39mm more reach. yet by not using spacers, a more negative 20mm shorter stem and a seatpost with no setback i got all contact points within millimeters of the old bike. i sit exactly the same on it and am very happy. with the shorter stem the overall burlier bike even feels nimbler than i had hoped for. so i think one should not totally overemphasize the bike frame size, you can always adjust it to your needs. it only gets problematic when its too small and you cant add more spacers, or the other way around and you cant stand over the toptube anymore.

[dannyhernandez]

So glad i came across this channel. I am
Also 5'10 and have been riding 54cm Cannondales for a few years because people have my size always ride 54cm. I once had a cannondale Caad Saeco in 52cm and it was indeed very comfy. Now that i see you talking about 52cm i will go for that size would be nice to see your bike set up knowing you are my height.
Great channel im glad i came across you guys. Keep it up!.👍

[SabrinaCWB]

"Fit first, buy later" for bikes makes so much sense to me (now you say it) as a seamstress. I honestly don't know how anyone buys clothes that fit online, or even in shops. Buying stuff is so hard!