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Winter Road bike

by Gardengnome
Thu, Oct 02, 2014 17:39
5

Hi everybody.

I have been looking for a winter bike, and really like the look of the Kenesis Racelight 4s, but i cant decide on which frame size to get. I am 5ft9 and a 54 top tube is the right size for me, but with this bike the size guide says i require the next size up which has an even longer top tube of 55.6. anyone else have these sort of problems or is it just me.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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5 comments

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RW | 10 years ago
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54 is probably the answer, BUT your overall height isn't the only measure of how well it will fit.

For example, I'm between 5'10" and 5'11" but with very long legs and short torso. I therefore fit better on bikes with a short reach and tall stack. A friend of mine is taller than me but with legs more than 4" shorter so he fits better on long reach/short stack bikes.

It would be useful if Kinesis published reach and stack figures! If it's any help, I'm looking at a 54cm Kinesis Tripster ATR Ti frameset although I'd consider a 55.5 if they decide to release it.

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philshems | 10 years ago
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I bought a Racelight T2. I'm 5'10" and went for the 54 and I find it fits me just right. I rode a lot of long winter miles on it last year and always found it very comfortable. And if it matters to you, the amount of exposed seatpost looks just right - not too much, and not too little!

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joemmo | 10 years ago
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I'm 5'10+a bit and I've had 2 size 54 kinesis frames but recently changed up to a 57. It is a slightly better fit but the 54 wasn't far off either so my advice would be to go for the 54.

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twowheeltoys | 10 years ago
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At 5'9" (175cm) you appear to be in both height ranges for both the 54 and the 57, the top tube lengths you mention are actual lengths, the chart also gives virtual top tube lengths (approx. 1cm longer) but not figures for reach. I had a similar problem last week, in Lapierre sizing at 5'10" I am a medium for road bikes but just into the large for the cyclocross range, I went by the reach and stack measurement which matched a Merida and Cannondale bikes I have previously owned. I chose the large which I feel very happy with although there is not as much seatpost exposed as many would say should be.

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OnTheRopes | 10 years ago
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Yes its a common problem with production bikes.
I have recently had the same issue.
The top tube length is probably most important otherwise you will be uncomfortable. So I would go for as close a TT length as possible and if a bit out then it is probably within the scope of a different stem length to get it right.

Personally I would go for the smaller and make sure the longer seat post extension you will require is not too extreme.

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