Why do I prefer larger frames?

[Ugo51]

Hi everyone,

It's a bit of a silly question but I am new to road bikes and I found myself buying a 57cm Peugeout.
I sat on it, I liked it, I bought it.

Then I got to know that, in theory, I would need to be at least half a foot taller to fit such frame, as I stand at 5'7' short with inside leg at about 29"/30"
I tried a 52cm Peugeot, thinking it would suit me better...but it really doesn't.
Not only the torso position - far too much over the handlebar - but the comfort in pedaling is not even comparable. I prefer the 57cm, I am faster on it, and I get less tired.

Ultimately I don't care what I should be riding and obviously I will keep on riding what feels comfortable but maybe there is something obvious I am ignoring? Is it possible I am making some sort of mistake in positioning myself onto the saddle so that I am cheated in thinking the 52cm is no good to me while in reality I am just not using it to its potential?

Thanks,

Ugo

 

[The History Man]

I’m with you. I ride 65cm road frames. I’m 6’3 with 31/32 leg so possibly a size too big but much more comfortable. I have the bars high too for my back. Ride what you feel the best on.

 

[CTK]

Tall headtube is more comfy for me. Difference in top tube length can be changed with the stem. Larger frames were in the past considered more stable for touring etc, pick the biggest frame you can get on was the thinking.

 

[Retro Spud]

I’m with you. I ride 65cm road frames. I’m 6’3 with 31/32 leg

Jase
One of us must be odd or a bit weird then

I’m three inches shorter but have a marginal longer in side leg

Do you have a elongated torso and short legs or am I the one out of proportion ?


Answers on a post card

 

[mattr]

TBH within a fair range, you can make any bike "fit". It might not be ideal handling or comfort, but it'll be rideable all day.

I mean, i rode a 23" bike for 3 years when i was a lad, shorter than i am now. I'm now riding a (nominal) 50.5 cm frame. And I'm 175 tall (20,5" frame, 5'9" tall ish.)

Might be worth finding what you don't like about the "right" sized frames, then find out what you do like about the too large frames and try to combine them both......

Another thing to bare in mind is that frames generally have got longer and lower, so focus is now on top tube length and stack and reach. Rather than the fairly meaningless seat tube length.

 

[Crambie]

----------------------

 

[Peachy!]

Just for reference, I’m 6’1” with a 34” inside leg (yeah I know, I’m a freak) so a 25” with the seat forward and a short (horizontally) stem for long distance

or a 23” with a high saddle for speed

 

[Ugo51]

Re:

Thanks for the response guys, really really helpful.

It appears that when talking about MTB riding position everyone has a very strict opinion about what is wrong and what is right. Here, I see a much more practical approach!

Yes, of course I will keep on riding what is comfortable.
I cannot put my finger on what it is that I like of the large frame yet, as I said I'm very new to road bikes and I still need to figure out most things. The pedaling position feels much more natural. And there is less load on the wrists.

 

[Retro Spud]

Re:

From another thread about bikes being too small

https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/size-matters ... all-321374

 

[Ugo51]

Re:

Just to give an idea, this is me on the 57cm:




And this is me on the 52cm:
My wife had just used it so the seat would normally be marginally higher, but it gives an idea