Bike size! - Triathlon Week

09-11-2004, 12:30 PM

I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and the
right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the smallest.
Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?

Thanks Matt

09-11-2004, 12:48 PM

"Matt Johnson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:

> I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
> years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and the
> right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
> board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the smallest.
> Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?
>
> Thanks Matt
>
>

The old guideline used to be:

Throw yer leg over the bike.

Stand up, feet on the floor/ground

If you can get less than two fingers between the top tube and your crotch, the
bike is too big.

If you can get more than three fingers between the top tube and your crotch, the
bike is too small.

But having said that, people seem to be riding smaller frames than we used to

--
le Vent a Dos, Davey Crockett
Six Day Site: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-11-2004, 01:17 PM

Matt Johnson wrote:

> I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
> years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and the
> right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
> board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the smallest.
> Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?
>
> Thanks Matt
>
>

People will do anything to avoid going to their LBS... Get some
recommendations from your local riders, who they consider a reputable
shop/salesman and go in for a fit.

09-11-2004, 02:44 PM

<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net.cable.rogers.com...
> "Matt Johnson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:
>
> > I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
> > years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and
the
> > right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
> > board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the
smallest.
> > Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?
> >
> > Thanks Matt
> >
> >
>
> The old guideline used to be:
>
> Throw yer leg over the bike.
>
> Stand up, feet on the floor/ground
>
> If you can get less than two fingers between the top tube and your crotch,
the
> bike is too big.
>
> If you can get more than three fingers between the top tube and your
crotch, the
> bike is too small.
>

And if you can get all five fingers between your crotch and the top tube, go
here:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-11-2004, 02:44 PM

<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net.cable.rogers.com...
> "Matt Johnson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:
>
> > I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
> > years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and
the
> > right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
> > board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the
smallest.
> > Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?
> >
> > Thanks Matt
> >
> >
>
> The old guideline used to be:
>
> Throw yer leg over the bike.
>
> Stand up, feet on the floor/ground
>
> If you can get less than two fingers between the top tube and your crotch,
the
> bike is too big.
>
> If you can get more than three fingers between the top tube and your
crotch, the
> bike is too small.
>

And if you can get all five fingers between your crotch and the top tube, go
here:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-11-2004, 02:48 PM

On 9/11/04 3:30 PM, in article, "Matt Johnson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

> I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
> years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and the
> right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
> board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the smallest.
> Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?
>
> Thanks Matt

Matt,

You really should go to your local bike shop - a good one that specializes
in good road bikes and (preferably) triathlon bikes. (Even if you're not
buying a tri bike, it helps if they understand the sport). Make sure they
have a bicycle fit machine (looks a little like a bike, but everything
including the tubes is adjustable) and have them tell you what size bike you
should buy. They will take a gazillion measurements of your body and may
charge you a small fee for the trouble, but they should credit the cost back
to you if you buy a bike. Either way, it will be money well spent.

Oh, and one other thing: go to your local bike shop. If your bike doesn't
fit right you could end up with knee problems, back problems, sore
shoulders, saddle sores, poor performance, and more. You wouldn't buy a
pair of shoes without knowing for sure what size you wear would you? Why
would a bike costing hundreds - or thousands - of dollars be any different?
Guessing just ain't worth it.

Did I mention you should go to your local bike shop?

My $.02

09-11-2004, 06:17 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com>,
John Hardt <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote:

> On 9/11/04 3:30 PM, in article, "Matt Johnson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
> wrote:
>
> > I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
> > years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and the
> > right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
> > board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the smallest.
> > Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?
> >
> > Thanks Matt
>
> Matt,
>
> You really should go to your local bike shop - a good one that specializes
> in good road bikes and (preferably) triathlon bikes. (Even if you're not
> buying a tri bike, it helps if they understand the sport). Make sure they
> have a bicycle fit machine (looks a little like a bike, but everything
> including the tubes is adjustable) and have them tell you what size bike you
> should buy. They will take a gazillion measurements of your body and may
> charge you a small fee for the trouble, but they should credit the cost back
> to you if you buy a bike. Either way, it will be money well spent.
>
> Oh, and one other thing: go to your local bike shop. If your bike doesn't
> fit right you could end up with knee problems, back problems, sore
> shoulders, saddle sores, poor performance, and more. You wouldn't buy a
> pair of shoes without knowing for sure what size you wear would you? Why
> would a bike costing hundreds - or thousands - of dollars be any different?
> Guessing just ain't worth it.
>
> Did I mention you should go to your local bike shop?
>
> My $.02

Personally, I think he should go to his local bike shop. :-)

Seriously, find a place that can really fit you. Make sure you go to a
place that can do a "fit kit" (where they measure you with funky
measuring tools). The first place I went just kind of "eyed me up" and
ended up selling me a bike that was too small.

Anyway, Matt gave you some good advice. I hope you're smart enough to
take it.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

09-12-2004, 05:14 PM

John,

I was thinking about going to a local bike shop. What do you think? Just
kidding of course. I will do it.

Thanks.

Matt

"John Hardt" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com...
> On 9/11/04 3:30 PM, in article, "Matt Johnson" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
> wrote:
>
> > I turn 40 in five days (the 16th) and I have not done a triathlon in ten
> > years. Need a bike. Does not have to be anything great just solid and
the
> > right size. I have a 32" inseam. Just measured, socks with snug level
> > board. So what is the biggest I should go with and what is the
smallest.
> > Can I go to a 50 cm? And then up to what?
> >
> > Thanks Matt
>
> Matt,
>
> You really should go to your local bike shop - a good one that specializes
> in good road bikes and (preferably) triathlon bikes. (Even if you're not
> buying a tri bike, it helps if they understand the sport). Make sure they
> have a bicycle fit machine (looks a little like a bike, but everything
> including the tubes is adjustable) and have them tell you what size bike
you
> should buy. They will take a gazillion measurements of your body and may
> charge you a small fee for the trouble, but they should credit the cost
back
> to you if you buy a bike. Either way, it will be money well spent.
>
> Oh, and one other thing: go to your local bike shop. If your bike doesn't
> fit right you could end up with knee problems, back problems, sore
> shoulders, saddle sores, poor performance, and more. You wouldn't buy a
> pair of shoes without knowing for sure what size you wear would you? Why
> would a bike costing hundreds - or thousands - of dollars be any
different?
> Guessing just ain't worth it.
>
> Did I mention you should go to your local bike shop?
>
> My $.02
>
>