General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon? Rss Feed  
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2010-01-27 12:23 AM

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
I recently stopped by a nice bike shop that specializes in Tris. The owner sized me up (visually) and told me I'd probably find my best fit on bikes in the 51-52cm range.

I don't have cash to burn (but I do have stuff to trade), but I constantly watch the forums here and on ST. I check the closer Craigslist sites all the time.

It seems all the bikes that pop up are all WAY bigger. I am not a particularly tall guy, but I'm about average. What gives?



2010-01-27 1:00 AM
in reply to: #2636573

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
mix of things, lot of epople start on bikes a bit too big, then get a smaller size.
54 and 56cm tri bikes are by far the most common (most normal sized guys fit on those two over all others and most taller girls are on 52-54).

so yes they are harder to find used, less of them.

if you are lookign for something in particular put up a listing on ST, LOTS of people have them over there but dont list them, you list something and products come out of the woodwork (makes you wonder how much other stuff people have sitting around)
2010-01-27 1:38 AM
in reply to: #2636573

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Master
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Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
Mr road bike is a 52cm and very few shops had them in stock because it is not a common size.
2010-01-27 6:21 AM
in reply to: #2636573

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
I ride 51/52 often called size small and find some shops don't carry that size in traditional main stream bikes, but larger shops do. Bell curve of bike sizes puts it not in the middle.

I'm 5'5" so if I buy a men's bike most men are taller than that..yah I know bike size isn't just height but leg/torso length, ect.

Nice thing though is a 51/52 is normally a standard size. Women under `5'3" often struggle to find standard tri bike but it's improving as the tri bike market has grown and so can very tall men.
2010-01-27 7:40 AM
in reply to: #2636573

Master
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Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
How tall are you?
2010-01-27 9:03 AM
in reply to: #2636573

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Master
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Guilford, CT
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
Agree on points made.  Just want to add/clarify that I'd urge caution on going out looking online for a bike of that size just because the bike shop guy gave you a quick look.  You may end up a size up or down depending on the bike you end up with..Tri/Roadie/Brand could all be factors and the geometry isn't all apples to apples (not sure how tall you are).

FWIW, I test road a couple bikes and fit a 54 and a 52 depending on the make.  (Specialized fit w/ a 54.  Felt w/ a 52)...both roadies though.  I'm about 5' 8.6875" give or take a 1/2 inch.

my 2 cents...


2010-01-27 9:12 AM
in reply to: #2637032

Master
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Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
acumenjay - 2010-01-27 10:03 AM Agree on points made.  Just want to add/clarify that I'd urge caution on going out looking online for a bike of that size just because the bike shop guy gave you a quick look.
Agreed that's why I asked how tall he is. If you're average height (5'7 to 5'9ish) I would venture to say 51/52 is too small. But my guess is really no better than the bike shop guy looking at you.
2010-01-27 9:17 AM
in reply to: #2636573

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Master
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Metro NY Area
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
I agree with Kathy that 51/52 cm is a common size for women over 5'5" whose legs aren't extremely long. That's the size my bikes are and I'm just under 5'7". I've been measured and had a pro bike fit.
2010-01-27 9:27 AM
in reply to: #2636573

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Master
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Guilford, CT
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
double

Edited by acumenjay 2010-01-27 9:28 AM
2010-01-27 10:24 AM
in reply to: #2636573

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Master
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ann arbor, michigan
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
I am 5' 7" guy with a 29.5 inch inseam and ride a 52. There are a lot of 52 cm bikes available on ebay if you look. Don't know what your budget is but there are prices all over the place.

Interestingly, there is a discussion/editorial on slowtwitch about "sizing up" on tri bikes. It is a little different perspective than what I have traditionally heard about sizing down when fitting bikes.
2010-01-27 10:55 AM
in reply to: #2637274

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?

When I was looking for a road bike, I was looking in the 52cm range and had trouble.  I had to call and visit several shops to find one to test and lucked into the one I bought.  it seemed that no shop was interested in ordering for me, either, thus taking the risk I may not buy it.  HOwever, they lamented that I wasn't the only person with this problem.  I'm totally average, by the way, 5'6.5" with a 30 in inseam. Incidentally, they tried to put me on a several 56 cm frames even though I told them they were uncomfortable...

However, when it came to tri bikes the shop I worked with was willing to order and try different things.  They found a bike somewhere, I came in, and it was not what I needed.   I actually ended up with a 49cm frame!  By the way, I am looking to sell if you find you need something smaller



2010-01-27 11:34 AM
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2010-01-27 4:53 PM
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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
I'm 5'8" and now ride a 52cm QR Tequilo.

It isn't a fixed rule, but _generally_ people need at least one size smaller in tri bikes than what they need in road bikes.

And, exactly as newbz described, I bought a 54cm tri bike new, it never fit me correctly, and I ended up selling it on craigslist.

Now that I have a bike that fits, I'm probably going to keep it.

So.... it might be an issue like how normal sized shoes are rarely on closeout.  It's not because they're uncommon; it's because they're sold out. And it's the odd sizes that are still are on sale.
2010-01-27 5:09 PM
in reply to: #2637274

Master
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Sedona, AZ
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
wannabefaster - 2010-01-27 11:24 AM I am 5' 7" guy with a 29.5 inch inseam and ride a 52. There are a lot of 52 cm bikes available on ebay if you look. Don't know what your budget is but there are prices all over the place. Interestingly, there is a discussion/editorial on slowtwitch about "sizing up" on tri bikes. It is a little different perspective than what I have traditionally heard about sizing down when fitting bikes.


I have nearly identical proportions and also ride a 52. Seems most manufacturers have one or two sizes smaller, and two or three sizes bigger so I don't know why they would be so hard to come by.
2010-01-27 7:13 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Seattle
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
I ride a 51 and had no problems- found both my road bike and tri bike on re-sells (ST and CL).  I have a Cervelo and Giant (M).  While I agree 54-56 may be the most common, 51 is hardly uncommon.  Perhaps come March or so when people tend to start buying bikes more used ones will pop up in the classifieds.  It's still Jan, a lot of people aren't thinking of riding yet!

And I agree that most people buy bikes too big, esp tri bikes.
2010-01-27 7:34 PM
in reply to: #2636573

Veteran
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Sutherlin
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
I feel your pain, I have the other end... at 6'5" I need a 62-64.  So far I find NO tri bikes over a 61cm.  Might be that tri bikes run smaller too...  just looking right now, but even a road bike was a pain.... 

Of course after I drop $1200 to get one ordered, and if fit really well, then there are like 4 62cm NICE $2K+ bikes on Craigslist for  in the $8-900 range.. Figures...LOL!

Good luck and keep searching.


2010-01-27 11:47 PM
in reply to: #2636755

Master
1929
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
merlin2375 - 2010-01-27 7:40 AMHow tall are you?
5'8"

And inseam (to the ground) is about 31". Thinking that probably doesn't measure like for pants...

2010-01-28 12:54 AM
in reply to: #2636573

Pro
5892
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
51-52cm measured what? Unfortunately, there's no standard, so you simply can't compare frame sizes between makes. You need to know what measurements you need in order for you to decide if a bike geometry is right for you or not.

When sizing a frame to your body, you need to look at reach (measured from a vertical line through center bottom bracket to center head tube), you need to understand setback (or off-set), which is measured from same BB line to a vertical line at the tip of the nose, you need to know the head tube length plus how much the headset will build (to know if you can get low enough or if you need a large stack of spacers), and you need to know the stand-over height (this is not necessarily a fit parameter, but it's kind of painful to get off the bike and land on the top tube... ).

Here's the problem, not every manufacturer measures these the same way... you can have center-center measurements, center-top, bottom-top, etc. Plus when you add seat mast frames into the equation, it can get really confusing... Take a look at DeRosa for example...

http://www.trialtir-usa.com/derosa/king3-rs/king3rs-geo.htm

Simply, you need to know what you need...
2010-01-28 9:31 AM
in reply to: #2636573

Master
3205
20001000100100
ann arbor, michigan
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
In the Michigan Forum someone is selling a 52 cm Trek bike set up for triathlon. FYI if you want to look at it.
2010-01-28 9:43 AM
in reply to: #2639099

Extreme Veteran
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Southwestern Ontario
Subject: RE: Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon?
faded_memories - 2010-01-28 12:47 AM

merlin2375 - 2010-01-27 7:40 AMHow tall are you?
5'8"

And inseam (to the ground) is about 31". Thinking that probably doesn't measure like for pants...



I have about the same height and inseam and the formula I found sasy 51/52cm bike. (Inseam in centimetres x .65)
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Are 51-52cm bikes uncommon? Rss Feed