Sizing for TT/Tri bike
Curly68
Posts: 21
in General Chat
Hi everyone.
I am looking to upgrade my age old Specialized Allez Elite to something a bit more modern/sleeker and better looking! My Allez is a 56cm and I am 6'1" with a 33" inside leg. I found a frame I like but its a 51cm and the previous owner is about the same size as me but said that it would be the right size. This is because TT/Tri frames need to be aero and having a taller seat height in relation to the stem/bars would make it the correct position.
What is the right way to size a frame? Do I go for that or keep looking at 56/7cm frames?
Also, whilst I am here. What are compression tops/shorts etc for? What do they do, do you need them etc?
Thanks in advance for your help.
I am looking to upgrade my age old Specialized Allez Elite to something a bit more modern/sleeker and better looking! My Allez is a 56cm and I am 6'1" with a 33" inside leg. I found a frame I like but its a 51cm and the previous owner is about the same size as me but said that it would be the right size. This is because TT/Tri frames need to be aero and having a taller seat height in relation to the stem/bars would make it the correct position.
What is the right way to size a frame? Do I go for that or keep looking at 56/7cm frames?
Also, whilst I am here. What are compression tops/shorts etc for? What do they do, do you need them etc?
Thanks in advance for your help.
0
Comments
http://bethelcycle.com/page.cfm?pageID=287
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/ ... kefit.html
And of course my hero (alas no longer with us):
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html
I don't personally use them but I'm sure others will be able to tell you if they are beneficial.
BIt more info here http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/the-benefits-of-compression-clothing-35846
In terms of your height to inside leg length you seem fairly in proportion. Compare that to me, I am 6'1 just, and have a 36 inch inseam! So I find it more difficult with getting bikes that fit, but you shouldn't have a problem. But I would again stress the point that you should go to someone with experience, remember this could be a purchase of thousands potentially, you don't want to end up with the wrong one.
If you don't plan on going to an LBS and want to do it all alone then a good place to start it competativecyclist.com or something like that! They have a fit calculator on it which for a calculator is excellent, obviously it wont give you the eye of a professional, but it will give you an idea. Select the TT version, and it will give you a top tube length, this should give you an idea of what size frames you could fit on.
On the compression side, I use 2XU tights, and I wouldn't live without them. I'd say the tops are less required, but I don't own one so I don't know!
This is more complicated than I thought! I was just going to do up the Specialized with tri bars etc, maybe I should save a bit more and get a decent frame/bike?
B
Many thanks