General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Need info/advice about a bike purchase Rss Feed  
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2008-06-23 12:23 PM

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Subject: Need info/advice about a bike purchase

I'm looking at getting my first tri bike and have a couple options:

 I've been looking at these two (within price range) and don't know much about bikes so I thought I'd ask here.

 http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/nemesis06_SPECIALpre.htm (Motobecane Nemesis 2008) -- This one can get shipping directly to me, would probably have to pay a lbs $50 to put it together all the way (90% assembled)

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=5821&subcategory_ID=3040 (2008 Scattante T-560) -- This one I would have to drive 3 hrs to Phoenix to pick it up in a store, but then they'd do the fitting (I hear).

 There's also the options of a Javelin Varese, but the biggest they have is a 51.

Also, they have a Javelin Narni size 51 on ebay, but it's selling for $100 than Javelin had it for: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Javelin-Narni-Triathlon-Tri-TT-Bike-48cm-51... />

I went to one LBS where he just had me stand on the bikes to check clearance and he told me I should be a 55 or 77.

Went to another LBS and he had me sit on a road bike and checked my hip/leg angle and told me I should be a 54.

Someone else told me that with my measurements I could be a 49!?!? I'm all confused now.

Here's my measurements info and the 2 bike measurements.

Measurements
-------------------------------------------
Inseam: 33
Trunk: 24
Forearm: 12
Arm: 23
Thigh: 24
Lower Leg: 21.5
Sternal Notch: 57.5
Total Body Height: 59


The Aero Fit
-------------------------------------------
Top Tube Range: 50.3 - 52.3
Stem Length Range: 8.0 - 10.0
Saddle-Bottom Bracket Position: 75.4
Saddle-Pedal Position: 92.6
Saddle-Ground Position: 100.4
Cranklength: 170.0
Aero Bar Size: XS
Saddle-Aero Bar Pad Drop Minimal: 5.8
Saddle-Aero Bar Pad Drop Moderate: 11.1
Saddle-Aero Bar Pad Drop Intense: 13.4
Saddle-Aero Bar Pad Drop Maximal: 17.1
Pad-Ground Position Minimal: 94.6
Pad-Ground Position Moderate: 89.3
Pad-Ground Position Intense: 87.0
Pad-Ground Position Maximal: 83.3
 
 
 
I don't really understand the specs, but here there are:

Copy paste didn't work -- here's the link: http://motobecane.com/nem_geometry.html
/>

 

 
 
 

 

 Thanks in advance for any advice!!!!

I would love to be able to get the Javelin bike since it is cheaper, but I don't want to have a bike that is too small either. 



Edited by esnackpack 2008-06-23 12:25 PM


2008-06-23 2:07 PM
in reply to: #1483528

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Master
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New York
Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase
Kinda tough to say - how tall are you? fwiw i'm 6'1" and ride a 56cm tri bike. If you could, in theory, ride a 55cm road bike, I'm pretty sure a 51 isn't going to work for you. Unless it's going to be used for clown car-esque uses.

My advice - get a proper fitting, and then work from there. Buying from the hip is way risky.
2008-06-23 2:24 PM
in reply to: #1483528

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Pro
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Wallingford, PA
Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase
KenyonTri - FYI, esnackpack is a woman, which may make a difference, especially for tri bike fitting (most of us have shorter torsos than then the guys)

FWIW... I'm a 5'9" female, I ride a 54 cm (woman's specific) road bike frame, and, believe it or not, a small (44 cm QR) Seduza tri bike frame. I needed a slightly longer stem, but with that small modification, it fits me like a glove.
2008-06-23 2:53 PM
in reply to: #1483528

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase
Something's weird. OK, let's look at top tube length. That's the first one listed on the spec sheet about your size. 502 to 523mm are acceptable ranges. If we look at the Scatantte geometry chart, only the 48cm will suffice ("C" effective top tube). The 51 sort of does, but you have no stem left. You're a 48, but there you're already 511mm meaning you'd take a 22mm stem? WTF? But, if we look at seat tube, (saddle to bottom bracket) you need 754mm and the tube there says you're then having 274mm of seat post exposed? Something's wrong; your measurements seem way too small for any of these.

Where did you get these, LBS? Something might have been inputted wrong. Do an on-line fit at www.wrenchscience.com and double check these.

I can't get your link to work for the Motobecane and you didn't mention Javelin for geometry.

Sounds to me like you might need advanced help here. Are you exceptionally long legged / short torso?

2008-06-23 2:53 PM
in reply to: #1483967

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Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase
I am 5'9"
2008-06-23 3:01 PM
in reply to: #1483528

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Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase
I got the measurements from competitivecyclist.com -- the best I could do without someone to help measure me. I'll try out the other site also. I don't think I'm weirdly proportioned, but who knows.


2008-06-23 4:26 PM
in reply to: #1484082

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase

esnackpack - 2008-06-23 3:53 PM I am 5'9"

There's where your numbers might be skewed: your original post has your height at 59" (4' 11"   )  I was thinking hmmm...she's under 5' with a 33" inseam -  that's a whole lotta legs!

 

 



Edited by sty 2008-06-23 4:27 PM
2008-06-23 4:33 PM
in reply to: #1483528

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Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase

Whoops, good catch!!!

 Here's my updated measurements (with the right height )

Measurements
-------------------------------------------
Inseam: 33
Trunk: 24
Forearm: 12
Arm: 23
Thigh: 24
Lower Leg: 21.5
Sternal Notch: 57.5
Total Body Height: 69


The Competitive Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 54.3 - 54.8
Seat tube range c-t: 56.0 - 56.5
Top tube length: 50.3 - 50.7
Stem Length: 10.2 - 10.8
BB-Saddle Position: 73.3 - 75.3
Saddle-Handlebar: 48.3 - 48.9
Saddle Setback: 5.5 - 5.9


The Eddy Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 55.5 - 56.0
Seat tube range c-t: 57.2 - 57.7
Top tube length: 50.3 - 50.7
Stem Length: 9.1 - 9.7
BB-Saddle Position: 72.5 - 74.5
Saddle-Handlebar: 49.1 - 49.7
Saddle Setback: 6.7 - 7.1


The French Fit (cm)
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 57.2 - 57.7
Seat tube range c-t: 58.9 - 59.4
Top tube length: 51.5 - 51.9
Stem Length: 9.3 - 9.9
BB-Saddle Position: 70.8 - 72.8
Saddle-Handlebar: 50.8 - 51.4
Saddle Setback: 6.2 - 6.6

 

2008-06-23 5:55 PM
in reply to: #1483528

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase
Getting better, but I still can't reconcile the top tube. Look at the chart of the Scattante again. The effective top tube "C" is what should compare with your readout of top tube length. Again, you're below a 48 in this dimension. You're speced for a 503mm to 519mm top tube and that's very short. Either you have no upper body or again, something isn't right. Looks to me like it should be around 540mm? (54cm)

From your standover height, a 54 seems best, but, in my opinion, top tube is even more important. Especially for aero fit where you're leaning out over the top tube and this length is more critical to handling and comfort.

See if you can coersce someone else to measure while you hold still. Works better.

Edited by pitt83 2008-06-23 5:57 PM
2008-06-23 9:59 PM
in reply to: #1484587

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Need info/advice about a bike purchase
something with a steeper seat angle in the 52-54 range would be best.

felt, cervelo, QR would all be good fits.
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