bigdeal
new member
Reged: 03/11/05
Posts: 8
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Hi there, new to the forum. Got a pro fitting recently, I measured up for a 53x54 frame running a 110 stem, 73.5 degree STA and a regular layback seatpost. This is exactly what I have my Team SC set up with and I pretty much love it. Calfee makes a 52x53 with 74 STA and a 54x55 with 73.5 STA, which I see as one size smaller or one larger. Which would 'fit' better, the 52 with a 120 stem or the 54 with a 100 stem? I don't race, so getting onto the smallest frame possible and having a 6 inch drop (joke) isn't an issue, then again it may be better to go smaller frame and have more options in terms of stem length. Has anyone else fallen into this same scenario? Which did you go with and why?
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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I like smaller frames - I could ride a 56 or 58. I ride a 56. Less weight and you can always just run a longer stem and seatpost. If the frame is too big - you have to get a new one. If you want it more nimble, go small, more stable, go big.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I agree completely.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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I'm not quite so lucky. My torso to leg length ratio is such that my frame is nominally a 56 when a stock frame would be 54 for me. I'm giving up a bit of crotch clearance (which is overblown when it gets down to it since very few people end up straddling their top tube that much when it's easy enough to tilt the bike to the side when stopped to maintain clearance) so that the head tube does not have to be hand-wrapped due to how far it would have to be extended above the top tube if the frame was nomially 54 cm. On a typical stock 54cm frame I have to have a very short stem and I end up moving my seat pretty far forward anyway which puts my balance off with a disproportionate weight on my arms.
I will, without a doubt, let everyone know the comfort level of my bike when I get it (in roughly two more weeks). I'm going to put 18 miles on it when I pick it up from the bike shop since I'm going to ride it home. I'm starting to obsessively think about it since it's getting so close to delivery time.
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Pintsized
journeyman
Reged: 02/27/05
Posts: 90
Loc: Corvallis OR
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Make sure you aren't too far forward on the bike when you descend. As long as both the 52 and 54 put your weight in a reasonable place on the bike, you could choose either and just mess with the stem and saddle fore and aft, and you'd be fine. From what I gather, and from my husband's experience, it's common to fit more than one size of bike, form almost any manufacturere.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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The whole point of custom sizing is so I am centered on the frame with my body balanced with my core flexibility taken into account.
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bigdeal
new member
Reged: 03/11/05
Posts: 8
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I called shop where I was fitted and asked for their opinion, they recommended a 54 so that's what I went with. I should have it midweek, if I'm lucky I'll have her built up by the end of the week and I'll let everyone know how it measures up (pun intended)!
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Limace
journeyman
Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 54
Loc: Oregon
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I faced this same question. I'll be interested to see how you like your choice.
In my case the sizing indicated that I could go with either the stock 58 or could slightly customize a 56 (relative short legs to torso height.)
Went with the stock 58 to save some bucks and figured that the leg height could be adjusted by lowering the saddle. I'd also found that I was moving towards a shorter stem length to keep my weight closer to the head tube when climbin and because it just felt a bit more stable in downhills.
I noticed in the earlier posts that the trade-off is also described as "nimble" versus "stable." Do people tend to ride in particular circumstances which make this trade-off more important, or is it preference only.
I do mostly road rides where it is relatively easy to get away from heavy traffic. No commuting and very little riding "in the city." Does that make a difference to those who expressed a preference for nimble?
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between sizes, 52 or 54??
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Re: between sizes, 52 or 54??
[Re: 
I went with the 54