58cm to 61cm road bike, huge difference?

I bought an oversized ( for me ), MT bike once to save a few bucks.  It was not worth it.  I wouldn"t do it.

I wouldn't do it either. I am 6'1" and was professionally fitted at my LBS to a 58cm. Of course, the great deal showed up on Craigslist for a 61cm and I bought it anyway. I made it work for 18 months before I ended up buying a 58cm. The 61cm worked, I swapped to a shorter stem, but it just wasn't quite right. I continually felt stretched out. I think you would regret it in the end. Wait until another 58cm comes along.

NO WAY.

I am 6-1, on a 58 Specialized with a 582 ETT and I use a 90mm / 20 degree stem to make the 582mm top tube work, since I am a little stiff in the neck. For me a size 61 would be way too big. For you, ?? But don't get a 61 just to save some bucks. 

There are a lot of guys 6'-0" who can use a 61, but a whole lot more can not.... "Normal " size for a six footer is a 58, right?

Besides, bike deals come and go and come and go and come and go.

** I am not a bike fitter, so please take this with a grain of salt... my $0.02 worth only!!**

Edited by jsselle 2009-08-23 1:03 PM

Snobarger, by the way, I just sent you a PM about this blue Tarmac....





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At 6' tall you are between a 56 and 58CM, you will never get comfortable on anything larger.

not a huge difference. About 3cm, give or take.


Height is not enough to size a bike. Anyone that tells you that you need xx size based only on your height doesn't know what they are talking about. Height isn't even really a good starting point; inseam and sternal notch height are much better.

Were you fitted to the 58? By someone that knew what they were doing? What are the top tube measurements of both (TT is a much better indicator of fit, much more meaningful to talk about than seat tube length - which is unfortunately how bikes are sized). Is this a road or tri bike? If the 61 were way too big, I suspect you'd know pretty quickly from riding it, presumably it's available, have you tried?

No go on that one. the most important thing that you can do when getting a new bike is get one that fits you well. I would definitely not do it if I were you.

Appreciate everyone's input, patience paid off, I was able to get the 58cm Fugi Team RC plus an additional 20% off today.  Some real nice deals today on www.performancebike.com