Someone Explain...

[cjwally]

So, I have a 58cm Felt F54 (Aluminum and Carbon Stays/Fork) and a 60cm Surly Steamroller. How is it that the Felt feels too big for me and the Surly feels just right? Both have setback seatposts and similar size stems.

Any explanation? My problem is that I haven't ridden my road bike since the Surly... I really do want to ride the road bike, but the Surly is so much more fun to hop on in urban clothes and spin around...

 

[remgeo]

Felts just run big

I'm now sure why but Felts always seem to run big. Mine is a 56 and it fits perfect but I ride 58 on most other bikes.

 

[NoQueNo]

Does Surly make a 60cm steamroller? Their site only lists 59cm and 62cm.

Do you have headset spacers on either bike? Is the stem rise equal on both bikes?

 

[cjwally]

If I am not mistaken mine is a 60. Maybe they changed the sizes for '09. I'll check later at home...

 

[Pho'dUp]

Bar height the same? If the felt's bars are lower in relation to the saddle than the Surly that effective lengthens the cockpit too.

Seattube angle? Is the Felt very slack so when you the seat is raised the effective top tube is longer b/c you're further back over the rear wheel

Start by measuring the effective top tube of both bikes. Then look at the seatangle and the head angles.