Bike Sizing

[Glasgow44]

Hi there

As you know, I'm thinking of buying another road bike. I already have a Giant Defy 2 road bike with an aluminium frame and carbon forks but I'm planning to use this for my not so nice days weather wise cycling and have a full carbon road bike for nice sunny days (of which there are not a lot in the West of Scotland!). Anyway, I was going to go for a Bianchi road bike but I've decided that, although I won't rule out Bianchi, I feel that its more about how they look rather than the components, so I'm open minded about manufacturer - in fact BMC bikes look really good with good components - this one for example:

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-teammachine-slr03-105-2017-road-bike-EV273214

Anyway, what I wanted to ask was: I've been looking at various size charts and they all differ (what I mean is - for example a small Giant bike dimensions are different from a small BMC bike dimensions and again are different from a small TREK bike dimensions) - does this mean that a person can really buy any bike as long as the correct adjustments to the various "unfitting" bits are tweaked (front post, rear post, etc) or are folks restricted due to their body type/shape?

Thanks again for your help and advice.

J

 

[arch684]

Evens sell BMC bikes just go and they will advise you on size,pay a deposit which is fully refundable and take a test ride.I have done this myself

 

[vickster]

Look is more important than components, those will need changing from time to time anyhow, the frame wont, frame first, components second

The only way to know if a bike is the right size (although tweaks may be needed) is to try them out, Evans are great for testrides (they'll get in any bike in stock for a refundable deposit).

Personally, I know that a ~54cm TT and a tallish headtube/stack is the basic need for me, then it comes down to stem length, bar width. I don't like an aggressive low front end, hence the taller headtube along with a flipped stem.

Ignore the 'sizing' be it small etc or in cms etc, look at the dimensions and geometry. A manufacturer will usually give an idea by saying racy/aggressive or relaxed/endurance (marketing BS obviously but can be useful)

 

[Cycleops]

I wouldn't say Bianchi bikes were 'form over function'. Ask some owners on here.
Try telling someone you have a BMC, they'll probably think you've got an old Morris Minor.

 

[Glasgow44]

Hi again

I'm still thinking about buying another road bike and have not ruled out Bianchi but I do like this one:

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-teammachine-slr03-105-2017-road-bike-EV273214

I'm going to think about it and go into Evans as I can test ride. What has put me off the Bianchi (from the particular bike shop I went to) is that I could not test ride it before I bought it (basically the guy told me what my size was, order it in and its a done deal) - I don't feel comfortable with that.

As I had said previously, I already have a Giant Defy 2. I know that correct size and fit is only determined when you are actually on the bike but, roughly, what would be the correct size of the BMC bike compared to my Giant Defy 2 which is in a small size (the reason I'm asking is that Evans does not allow you to order in two sizes of the same bike, you can only order in one size at a time).

The bike I'm looking at is this BMC one:

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-teammachine-slr03-105-2017-road-bike-EV273214

The bike I currently have for comparison is the Giant Defy 2 - I ride this in a small size:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/defy-2-2016

I tried to download the links for the geometry but unable to.

Thanks in advance for all your help and advice.

J

 

[vickster]

Why not get Evans to order in the Bianchi, assuming they stock it.
This one? https://www.evanscycles.com/bianchi-intrepida-105-2017-road-bike-EV288122

I'd ride several bikes if you're not sure what you really want.

Get them to advise on sizing. The bit to look at are the Top Tube measurement and the HT / stack to compare against the Defy. Put the numbers in Excel and compare

Quick glance, I'd say the 51cm BMC is closest to the S Defy going by the TT (53.5cm vs 53cm). You might need a longer or shorter stem depending on what's on the Defy(the BMC comes with a 100mm)

 

[arch684]

Evens will advise you on size but i think @vickster is right with a 51