Sizing help

[ODB]

Thinking about trying to pick up a cheap used cyclocrosser, but i have no clue about sizing road and CX bikes. I'm 6 feet tall with a 32-inch inseam and ride 19-inch mountain frames. Does a 56 or 57 cm sound about right? Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Winger]

Go to Jax and ask them what size to buy. They have computer programs where they enter all your measurements and give you a recommended size. Then test ride a few bikes in that size range to see if that is right for you. Now you're 100% sure what size is right and can search craigslist with confidence.

[jcampbell]

Originally Posted by Winger

Go to Jax and ask them what size to buy. They have computer programs where they enter all your measurements and give you a recommended size. Then test ride a few bikes in that size range to see if that is right for you. Now you're 100% sure what size is right and can search craigslist with confidence.

Oh my... that Blackstar Skyline race last night must have loosened a screw in Winger. He's actually referring Jax.

[ODB]

Originally Posted by Winger

Go to Jax and ask them what size to buy. They have computer programs where they enter all your measurements and give you a recommended size. Then test ride a few bikes in that size range to see if that is right for you. Now you're 100% sure what size is right and can search craigslist with confidence.

Good suggestion. The question is, can i overcome my seething hatred of Jax long enough to actually do this?

[Winger]

LOL.

Hey, as long as he doesn't buy anything, then the plan works. Waste their time instead of the time of a mom & pop store.

If you see a bike you want to buy, don't buy it. Write down the model and go to Switchback. Think of it as correcting a wrong in the space-time continuum. Karma punished me for buying from Jax, so I'm just trying to make things right again.

[ODB]

But seriously, am i in the ballpark for correct size here, or is it more dependent on things like arm reach when it comes to road and CX rigs?

[S54MCoupe]

Where do you live? Come out to a cross race (socalcross.org) and try some Demo Bikes. Jax has some, and so does Montrose. You can ride anything that fits you, race it, ride around on it. It's free, too. It will give you a great idea of what you're gonna want.

Between races you can ride the course, too.

[Pain Freak]

Toby, a 56 to 58 should be about the right size, but as you know all mfg, have differernces in how they put their bikes together. There really is no way out of it, but demo'ing a few bikes to see what you like and how it fits. I've already made a half dozen adjustments in my new cx rig. I'm still trying to figure somethings out on it. I might head out to a cx race this Sunday just to get a feel for it. I plan on riding the course, but not racing yet.

[Schecky]

I'm 6'3" with a 32" pant inseam.
Full inseam using the book method was about 33".
I ended up on 58 frame, but it is a 1970 era frame - Modern sizing is a little different.
I probably should be on a slightly smaller frame.

Here are a couple of links:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit

[Gabriel Zink]

Call Neil at Adrenaline Bikes, he rides a cross bike and knows sizing.

[1x1clyde]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Zink

Call Neil at Adrenaline Bikes, he rides a cross bike and knows sizing.

That's me. Depending on MFG but a 56/57 and maybe 58 should work.

I ride a 57 from Bianchi and a 56 from Yeti. If you are going to race then a little bit smaller doesn't hurt since you are on and off the bike multiple times each lap.
If you are making this a super commuter, fireroad ripper then stay closer to what actually fits like a road bike.

As always, top tube length is the key and the longer the stem the scarier a steeper descent becomes.

Top mount levers are a nice addition if you are going off road and consider a moto set up on the brakes if you are going to race, it makes non-drive side dismounts much easier since your rear brake will be in your left hand!
Hope that helps and feel free to give us a buzz at work!

[Pickettt@aol.com]

Traditionally, you'd ride a 'cross bike slightly smaller than your road bike. However, when you do this, you have to be conscious of your top tube length. It becomes important during slow tight turns ('cross races are full of them). With a smaller bike, you may have a little front wheel overlap. I'm 5'10" and ride a 52", my road bike is a 55". My guess is that a six footer would ride a 57".

Pain Freak, skip the "might ride the course" and just race. It's a load of fun, totally different than any other form of bike racing. I'm racing XC Saturday at Southridge, and 'cross Sunday in Torrance. Hope to see you at both.

P.S. They've always got raffles at 'cross races. I know you can't resist.

[Pain Freak]

Yeah, I'll be at the Torrance race. I've flipped my cx bike now twice just riding along, I don't want to think about what would happen in a race.....

Raffle, raffle, did somebody say raffle?

Where do I buy my 50 dollars worth of tickets?

[Pickettt@aol.com]

I've raced my 'cross bike at Southridge and have never crashed. At least no that I remember. Like I said, register and race, it's cheap, and you won't regret it. At least not before or after.

[Amon Amarth]

I learned from Mark of the old TCB shop in Fullerton (he's a big crosser with alot of knowledge)....Ride the smallest frame you can fit without going to long on the stem or to for back on the seat rails,. I'm 5'11 and ride a 56/Med road, 19 mtb, and my cross frame is a 54. I just switched stems on my 4 bikes from 120's to 100's and the change worked great.
PS. I love Jax and have raced for them from the early 90's for about 5 years. Although I wont go to the HB store, I try to stay away from the HB trash, I still go to long beach and tho the selections not great for highend stuff I still get treated nice.

[genusmtbkr5]

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, the measurement is taken from the center of the top tube to the center of BB. Not top of seat tube to center of BB like a mt bike. My bike is a little big because I didn't know. I'm 5'7", but my bike would be good for someone couple inches taller. I'm right on the top tube. I had to put a shorter stem on to bring the cockpit in closer.

[slayer]

i'm the same size as you. my road bike is a 58.

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Yeah, I'll be at the Torrance race. I've flipped my cx bike now twice just riding along, I don't want to think about what would happen in a race.....

Raffle, raffle, did somebody say raffle?

Where do I buy my 50 dollars worth of tickets?

Did you go?