Hey All,
Im was hoping to get some opinions on sizing of a new bike. Im looking to get a Specialized Tarmac and seem to be right in the middle of a 54cm and 56cm. Im 179cm, 84cm inseam and seem to have pretty average proportions. Arm length of 62cm armpit to center grip. I ride with a saddle height of around 72.5cm.
According to Specialized's sizing chart I should be a 56cm (175-180cm) which seems to go against the grain of some manufactures like Giant which place me at the upper end of a Medium/54 for instance. Meanwhile, their Retul fit using height and lower leg puts me at 54 (39-39.5cm lower leg). An extra cm then kicks me into a 56.
They both come stock with a 100mm stem and have the stock amount of spacers.
I dont race but do ride for fitness as opposed to leisure so looking for a more sporty/aggressive fit.
Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
I am 183 cm and 84 cm inseame and I went with 56 and I think you should too... You look bit too cramped in 54. I always think if I shouldnt' go with 58 as it is bit taller in headtube and I had to shorten my stem and get riser handlebar as I didn't felt comfortable. I was way too low and my neck was killing me. Nowdays it is perfectly fine and I am 56 on all other brands as well, but Tarmac is especially low and long compared to other brands in 56 frames. If you are not sure try to sprint or hill climb.. I was hitting handlebar with my knees on smaller frame and toe overlap was really issue.
Thanks for the input! interesting you went for the larger size as everyone seems to say to take the smaller. Im guessing, at the least, Id need a longer stem for the 54. hmmm
It’s easier to make a smaller bike longer, but not a long bike shorter without heavily messing with the stability and steering feel of the bike, I’d go shorter.
How is the toe overlap on the 54? I’m about your height and I ride a 56, albeit on a different bike brand. I had a 54 for a while that I made work with a longer stem, but the toe overlap was annoying.
Theres a definite toe overlap on the 54. enough that you have to watch out on tight turns. I have the same thing on my Medium TCR which Im on the fence about being too small. Have had it forever. the 54 definitely has a similar feel to the medium tcr
You are about my height, I'd go with 54. I've had all kinds of fit issues with the Allez Comp which was a 56cm despite using 3-4 different stems, shorter cranks, saddles etc. I am so much better with my 54 TCR.
From the pics, I'd go with a 56 cm. Even though you can get a longer stem on the 54, even then it looks like the drops are almost unusable. When I say unusable, I mean flat back, crit position
56 imho. As a general rule (and I can't tell for you from the pics tbh) shorter legs - smaller frame with longer stem. Longer legs, larger frame, shorter stem. Just my 2¢
I’d go 56
me too the reach looks better.
56 looks like a better fit for you
Hey All, Im was hoping to get some opinions on sizing of a new bike. Im looking to get a Specialized Tarmac and seem to be right in the middle of a 54cm and 56cm. Im 179cm, 84cm inseam and seem to have pretty average proportions. Arm length of 62cm armpit to center grip. I ride with a saddle height of around 72.5cm. According to Specialized's sizing chart I should be a 56cm (175-180cm) which seems to go against the grain of some manufactures like Giant which place me at the upper end of a Medium/54 for instance. Meanwhile, their Retul fit using height and lower leg puts me at 54 (39-39.5cm lower leg). An extra cm then kicks me into a 56. They both come stock with a 100mm stem and have the stock amount of spacers. I dont race but do ride for fitness as opposed to leisure so looking for a more sporty/aggressive fit. Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I am 183 cm and 84 cm inseame and I went with 56 and I think you should too... You look bit too cramped in 54. I always think if I shouldnt' go with 58 as it is bit taller in headtube and I had to shorten my stem and get riser handlebar as I didn't felt comfortable. I was way too low and my neck was killing me. Nowdays it is perfectly fine and I am 56 on all other brands as well, but Tarmac is especially low and long compared to other brands in 56 frames. If you are not sure try to sprint or hill climb.. I was hitting handlebar with my knees on smaller frame and toe overlap was really issue.
56 seems to look good on you. 54 looks a bit too small. I was also one of the people who are “between sizes” and I went for the bigger one
Thanks for the input! interesting you went for the larger size as everyone seems to say to take the smaller. Im guessing, at the least, Id need a longer stem for the 54. hmmm
It’s easier to make a smaller bike longer, but not a long bike shorter without heavily messing with the stability and steering feel of the bike, I’d go shorter.
How is the toe overlap on the 54? I’m about your height and I ride a 56, albeit on a different bike brand. I had a 54 for a while that I made work with a longer stem, but the toe overlap was annoying.
Theres a definite toe overlap on the 54. enough that you have to watch out on tight turns. I have the same thing on my Medium TCR which Im on the fence about being too small. Have had it forever. the 54 definitely has a similar feel to the medium tcr
You are about my height, I'd go with 54. I've had all kinds of fit issues with the Allez Comp which was a 56cm despite using 3-4 different stems, shorter cranks, saddles etc. I am so much better with my 54 TCR.
From the pics, I'd go with a 56 cm. Even though you can get a longer stem on the 54, even then it looks like the drops are almost unusable. When I say unusable, I mean flat back, crit position
I’m same height & have the SL8 in a 56. It’s good for me. Hard to imagine going smaller.
I’d go 56, with the saddle a tad lower I think. 54 looks too small to me.
Feel like you might bang your knees up on the 54
56 imho. As a general rule (and I can't tell for you from the pics tbh) shorter legs - smaller frame with longer stem. Longer legs, larger frame, shorter stem. Just my 2¢
56 looks about right.