bike fit help

bump... please help...

Let me first say that this is just my experience - and the real answer would come from a proper fitting. At least for me, the fitting had a lot to do with flexibility as well, not just measurements. The measurements may tell you to get a longer top tube, but if you’re not flexible enough to reach it, then you won’t be comfortable and performance WILL suffer.

That being said, I had the EXACT same problem/issue a couple days ago when I got my current bike professionally fit again.

After the fitting, I asked my LBS about getting a new Cervelo bike for next season. He first said that I should use the measurement from the rear seat position (75 degrees). I don't know why. I don’t know if it is a rule of thumb or specific to me.

My competitive cyclist numbers had me on a 61cm top tube. That is also what my LBS would have liked to see me on and would suggest that for my new Cervelo.

HOWEVER, my current bike is a 59cm top tube and we were able to get a great fit by adjusting the seat, stem, and aero bars. He says that we were pushing the limits, but it still worked well.

I have also noticed in all my looking/research, it seems people tend to get a tri bike that appears to be one size smaller than what these numbers suggest or what you would get for a road bike. As if the tri bikes are to be a little more compact.

After all that, I think the 58 and the 61 can both be made to fit well – But I think that 61 could give you more flexibility for future modifications to your position. The 58 “may” limit you a bit.

That was pretty long winded just to agree with "the bear"! I guess an "x2" could have worked!

Hope this helps and good luck!

Generally its easier to fit someone to a smaller frame then it is to a larger frame. Id bounce over to slowtwitch.com and bikesportmichigan.com and read everything that I could on fit and then ask questions and then more questions. If you can get a good deal on a used bike go for it. Consider this though, if you are only saving 300.00 or so, how much is it going to cost you to get fit plus swap out your stem, saddle, aerobars, etc?

Try some of the bike doctor stores. I know the one in Arnold had a few (maybe 3 different ones?) of the Cervelos there about a month ago. The carry more tri bikes than any other store in the area I've seen. They alos had a few Cannondale tri bikes in stock.