Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs

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2009-11-10 8:28 PM

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Kauai girl now in MIll Creek/Silver Firs
Subject: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs

I'v been searching for a new frame for a tri-bike build.  I've been reading past posts and used the fit calculator at competitive cyclist. It's reinforced what I already know: basically, I'm a penguin (long torso, short legs).  Without going into a super long discussion of geometry, can anyone whith similar proportions let me know if they've found a frame that tends to fit them well. I know some brands tend to suit certain body types better. Any recs for me would be really appreciated. Thanks!

(FWIW, I started with a Fuji Aloha 52cm that fit great across the top but was way too long on the seat tube; seat can't go any lower and I can barely reach pedal at bottom of stroke. Ugh).



Edited by KauaiShan 2009-11-10 8:32 PM

2009-11-11 5:16 AM
in reply to: #2507980


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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
My nonexpert, short answer would be to get a frame that fits your legs and compensate as much as possible for your torso length with a longer stem and your seat position. FWIW...I have the opposite problem. Long legs and short torso. I have just resolved myself to the fact that I may never have the perfect fit.
2009-11-11 6:38 AM
in reply to: #2507980

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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
I have the same frame composition as you. Long torso/ short legs. I ride a Cervelo P2 and absolutely love it.
2009-11-11 7:24 AM
in reply to: #2507980

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Master
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
Have you looked at Felts?  I don't know about their TT/tri bikes, but I know on road bikes, Felts tend to run a little longer in the top tube.

Also, you probably know this already, but you'll probably want to avoid "women's specific" frames, since many are designed to fit people with opposite proportions (short torso and long legs).
2009-11-11 8:07 AM
in reply to: #2508280

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
dredwards - 2009-11-11 8:24 AM Have you looked at Felts?  I don't know about their TT/tri bikes, but I know on road bikes, Felts tend to run a little longer in the top tube.

Also, you probably know this already, but you'll probably want to avoid "women's specific" frames, since many are designed to fit people with opposite proportions (short torso and long legs).


Felt B2, 2007...I'm 6'3", 33" inseam. Fits like a glove.
2009-11-11 8:08 AM
in reply to: #2507980

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Elite
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Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
I'm a long torso/short legs and I'm an Quintana Roo and it fits really well.  There is always going the custom route and looking at something like a Guru.

2009-11-11 8:16 AM
in reply to: #2507980


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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
Felt, QR, cervelo, Kestrel 4000, Kuota Kueen K, and probably a few others.  Have a look at the stack and reach database on slowtwitch.com - you need a bike with a larger reach and shorter stack (long and low).
2009-11-11 1:44 PM
in reply to: #2507980

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
I've got a QRoo Caliente and it fits well with my long torso and short legs.
2009-11-11 2:02 PM
in reply to: #2509120

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs

I have a shortish inseam too.  I ride a QR Kilo and it fit well.  They also changed the stem to an angled one, to give me more length.   There are a lot of component changes you can make after making your selection.  Even though I am 5'6'' I ride a 49 cm bike, which I think means I have REALLY short legs  



Edited by BikerGrrrl 2009-11-11 2:07 PM
2009-11-11 2:02 PM
in reply to: #2508234

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Sensei
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
vApoLY04 - 2009-11-11 4:38 AM I have the same frame composition as you. Long torso/ short legs. I ride a Cervelo P2 and absolutely love it.


I was going to say, that Cervelo seems to offer the longest top tube availabe on tri bikes...  I would start there.
2009-11-11 4:31 PM
in reply to: #2508203

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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
timo612 - 2009-11-11 2:16 AM

My nonexpert, short answer would be to get a frame that fits your legs and compensate as much as possible for your torso length with a longer stem and your seat position. FWIW...I have the opposite problem. Long legs and short torso. I have just resolved myself to the fact that I may never have the perfect fit.



IMHO it's the opposite. If you have to adjust the stem length and seat fore/aft position, then you change the handling and efficiency of the tri geometry. Stack and reach are more important fit measurements than seat tube length.


.


2009-11-11 5:26 PM
in reply to: #2509433

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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs


For me it's been Cervelo - a P2K from April '01 to July '08, and a P2C since then. Perfect!
2009-11-11 6:01 PM
in reply to: #2507980

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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
Cervelo p2.  The older soloist also very penguin friendly.
2009-11-11 9:44 PM
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Kauai girl now in MIll Creek/Silver Firs
Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
Thank you all so much; this gives me an excellent starting point.  My local tri shop has some Cervelos; I'll look at the Felts too.  Seriously, this is enormously helpful to me

Fondly,
the penguin
2009-11-12 7:27 AM
in reply to: #2509433

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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
joker70 - 2009-11-11 3:31 PM
timo612 - 2009-11-11 2:16 AM My nonexpert, short answer would be to get a frame that fits your legs and compensate as much as possible for your torso length with a longer stem and your seat position. FWIW...I have the opposite problem. Long legs and short torso. I have just resolved myself to the fact that I may never have the perfect fit.
IMHO it's the opposite. If you have to adjust the stem length and seat fore/aft position, then you change the handling and efficiency of the tri geometry. Stack and reach are more important fit measurements than seat tube length. .
I agree with Joker. If you start putting on a shorter stem, you affect the handling in a big way. 
2009-11-12 8:24 AM
in reply to: #2508203

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Master
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
timo612 - 2009-11-11 4:16 AM
My nonexpert, short answer would be to get a frame that fits your legs and compensate as much as possible for your torso length with a longer stem and your seat position. FWIW...I have the opposite problem. Long legs and short torso. I have just resolved myself to the fact that I may never have the perfect fit.


You shouldn't resolve yourself to that. There are bikes that tend to fit your body type just as there are for the OP. And, the OP's question was a great one. IMO, buying a bike with a top tube that matches your torso is far more important than one that "fits your legs". Leg length is easy to fit unless the frame is just grossly the wrong size.

2009-11-12 9:05 AM
in reply to: #2509867

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Master
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Ann Arbor, Michigan
Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
I too should call myself a penguin ;-).....I can stand side by side with some of the same height and ppl will still insist i'm shorter b/c my legs are short for my height.  I mean I'm short anyway, imho, at 5'4

but after plugging in all my dimensions, Felt B2 turned out to be the best fit and I really love it!

2009-11-12 10:29 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs
I am 6'3" with a 32" inseam.

However, I am on factory defaults until our two cars are paid off with some money in the bank for emergency maintenance.
Priorities.
2009-11-12 12:26 PM
in reply to: #2507980

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Frames for looooong torso, mini-legs

I have the same issues as you. I'm 5'2, but when I sit up next to my SO (he's 6'3), we're almost the same height. He has long legs & I have short legs.

For a stock bike, I had to shop for a bike that fit my inseam and then I bought a longer stem to fit. That bike was 47cm. If I bought a bike with a top tube that was right, I wouldn't be able to stand over it.

When I got a new bike, I went with a custom frame. It's awesome.

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