Am i going to feel any difference ?

[biggs682]

For no real reason other than it was what i thought a fair price , yesterday i picked up a Giant SCR4 in medium size that Giant say fit 5ft7" - 5ft11" i am 5ft10" so within my range.

I normally ride conventional steel road bikes in an ideal size range 22" - 23 1/2" range with a small amount of seat post showing depending upon actual size , well i have at least 8" of post showing on the SCR.

So my question is am i going to notice anything special when i throw my leg over it tomorrow am , as my initial run around the block was more just checking that things all worked ok or not.

 

[MichaelW2]

With Giant SCR/TCR style compact frame , you should size it by length or reach.

 

[biggs682]

With Giant SCR/TCR style compact frame , you should size it by length or reach.

Length/reach is about right according to the tape measure

 

[midliferider]

I think in most "modern" bikes, it is normal to have seat post showing 10-15 cm. I am usually at the cut off points between small and medium frames and I tend to use bigger, M, frame. Even in those bikes seat post is still very visible.

 

[Sallar55]

I size a bike by handlebar height, it's easy to adjust a saddle.

 

[GuyBoden]

A longer seatpost absorbs more road vibrations than a shorter seatpost, so I've been told by riders with long seatpost.

 

[T4tomo]

So my question is am i going to notice anything special when i throw my leg over it tomorrow am , as my initial run around the block was more just checking that things all worked ok or not.

Probably not, its a fairly old alu frame / carbon fork if i'm not mistaken. Less comfy than a 531 steel frame, but probably a tad lighter.

Yes a longer post does give an element of compliance (and a carbon one absorb more buzz than an alu one) but a steel frame gives a comfier ride regardless of a stubby seat post.

In my road going fleet, I have a fancy pants Carbon bike, an Alu frame carbon fork grave bike and still ride a 531 framed steel bike or two - (one of which @biggs682 will recognise).

The carbon bike is defo the lightest and quickest and is a pretty comfy ride too, but the steel bikes are at least as comfortable. The alu frame has the harshest ride. For comparison all have 28mm tyres in "road" mode, (but also use the Alu gravel bike with its fat tyres on which makes it more comfortable but slightly slower on road) and all have San Marco Rolls saddles.

 

[biggs682]

I size a bike by handlebar height, it's easy to adjust a saddle.

That's very true.

 

[biggs682]

Probably not, its a fairly old alu frame / carbon fork if i'm not mistaken. Less comfy than a 531 steel frame, but probably a tad lighter.

Yes a longer post does give an element of compliance (and a carbon one absorb more buzz than an alu one) but a steel frame gives a comfier ride regardless of a stubby seat post.

In my road going fleet, I have a fancy pants Carbon bike, an Alu frame carbon fork grave bike and still ride a 531 framed steel bike or two - (one of which @biggs682 will recognise).

The carbon bike is defo the lightest and quickest and is a pretty comfy ride too, but the steel bikes are at least as comfortable. The alu frame has the harshest ride. For comparison all have 28mm tyres in "road" mode, (but also use the Alu gravel bike with its fat tyres on which makes it more comfortable but slightly slower on road) and all have San Marco Rolls saddles.

I have tried a couple of full carbon bikes and sold them both.

I have tried a few full alloy bikes and all left me uninspired apart from one a Tec road bike.

Did a lot of miles a couple of years ago on a Pinnacle Dolomite which I liked and currently have a Pinnacle Sentinel which again I like.

Just thought I would try a compact frame as not tried one before this morning's ride didn't materialize so will wait to the weekend.

Steel is by far my favourite for all the reasons @T4tomo states .

Got to be worth a try I say

 

[T4tomo]

I size a bike by handlebar height, it's easy to adjust a saddle.

horizontal top tube length is probably the most important measurement.

 

[boydj]

A correctly-sized compact frame is bound to have more seatpost showing than a similarly-sized frame with a horizontal top-tube. Giant was one of the first of the major manufacturers to have compact frames in all their popular products.

 

[roley poley]

Whatever size of seat post you chose to use sawing off the spare unused length left in the seat tube will gain you enlightenment as you hear the clink of waste metal in the scrap bin

 

[HLaB]

You'll notice that when you slide forward off the saddle you don't wreck your crown jewels If the angles are the exact same I doubt in reality you'll notice anything other than perhaps the smaller frame is more agile.

 

[biggs682]

You'll notice that when you slide forward off the saddle you don't wreck your crown jewels If the angles are the exact same I doubt in reality you'll notice anything other than perhaps the smaller frame is more agile.

That's very true re crown jewels

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

That's very true re crown jewels

Yes but those of us who grew up riding steel bikes sized for "growing room" have always had a healthy respect for that horizontal top tube. You know it's there, and anytime you forget it gives you a "gentle" reminder!