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

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

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

Now I'm even more confused

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Another great video. It's a mine field. I recently bought a Ridley helium, and I'm sure it's to small for me, although the shop that sold it to me, said it was the right size. My 1st ride on it I felt hunched up. I then reset the saddle height with a formula that a friend recommended to me. This made it better, we then swapped the stem for 1 10mm longer this has made it more comfortable. Having a fit 1st is definitely the way to go. Wish I'd have done this. You live and learn. Keep it up lads.

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!!

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

Scarily, this all made perfect sense to me...help, I've gone bike nerd! I'm pleased/relieved to hear James give Trek a qualified 👍 as I have x2. I'm definitely not shaped like a pro cyclist (who is?) so whilst technically I'd fit a 56 I have a 54. I've had the Ben-efit of knowing Ben Wright who has fitted my bikes post purchase and originally bought locally from a guy that knew his stuff 100% and INCLUDED a free detailed fit in the purchase price plus was happy to swap components (e.g. the stem, spacers) from the standard to the ones I needed. I was disappointed initially that my saddle wasn't higher (and former elite riders have nagged me to put it up) but now know better. I'm planning a gravel bike build now...where to start? Happy days. Thanks for another great vid and for the channel. ♥️

Great video guys. That kind of knowledge is why I went for a fit at Bicycle

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!

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

one of the best videos I’ve seen on the subject, very objective and not a marketing gimmick. love your vids

So happy to find this video! Makes me feel justified in choosing smaller frames. When I first started getting into riding, bike shops would look at me and put me on 61cm frames. They said I was supposed to feel stretched out, and it was just my core wasn't strong enough, even though I was pretty darn fit. Ended up with a 58 back then, but over the years have drifted down to 56's. But since I work on other people's bikes fairly often now, I've ridden some 54's that with a few small tweaks feel quite comfortable. I never considered going that small, but hearing this guy rides a 52 and is only 3 inches shorter than me makes me wish I'd gone smaller on my recent gravel bike purchase, especially after having to get a shorter stem.

Loving the bike fit "Tuesdays"

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!.👍

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.