Bike sizing

[Lloydri]

I have bought an eastway Zener but I'm struggling on which size to buy I have tested a 56 and I had lower back pain and felt a little cramped up I feel more comfortable on the 58 but worried it might be a bit big I have attached photos of each bike with me on it any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, just to add I use my bike for commuting not racing and I am after a comfortable commuter bike.

 

[Spiderweb]

If you feel more comfortable on the 58cm then that’s the one to buy, it looks fine in the pic.
How tall are you?

 

[AndyRM]

If you feel more comfortable on the 58 then that's the one to go for.

 

[Drago]

Nothing about the way a bike fits is more critical than comfort.

 

[User6179]

The smaller size will have more of a drop between saddle and handlebars, the bigger size with a shorter stem fitted might be a better option if you want a more relaxed position.

 

[Vantage]

I use my bike for commuting not racing and I am after a comfortable commuter bike.

Would you not be better off getting something more geared towards comfort and commuting then? Instead of a racing bike?
For the money you're spending there, you could have a lightish tourer with mudguards...and vastly more comfortable.

 

[Sharky]

What's your current bike and are you comfortable on that?
Get your tape measure, wooden ruler, spirit levels and length of string and measure your old bike carefully, then compare with the new bikes.

 

[Lloydri]

What's your current bike and are you comfortable on that?
Get your tape measure, wooden ruler, spirit levels and length of string and measure your old bike carefully, then compare with the new bikes.

My old bike was stolen it was a Planet X rt 58 so unable to measure but thanks for the reply

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Can you compare old with new?

https://geometrygeeks.bike/

 

[Sharky]

My old bike was stolen it was a Planet X rt 58 so unable to measure but thanks for the reply

Sorry to hear that. Better luck with the next one.

 

[vickster]

You can find the RT58 geometry here (I doubt they changed it much from the v1 model). A
Though it looks like they now label the 'size' by seattube length (before was TT a bit like the Eastway I expect)

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/EBPX58SO/planet-x-rt-58-v2-alloy-shimano-sora-road-bike

 

[Lloydri]

Just by looking at the pictures could anybody tell me if I look to cramped on the smaller bike or to stretched on the bigger bike? Or whether one seems to fit better, I completely understand it is how the bike feels to me but I'm just a bit of a novice.
Thanks for the help so far!

 

[vickster]

Have you ridden them? That’ll give you a better idea

 

[Lloydri]

Have you ridden them? That’ll give you a better idea

I have ridden the smaller 56 bike and had doubts about size so the bike shop sent me a 58 but said not to put any miles on it unless I was going to buy it? I flipped the stem on the 56 and this felt better but i felt it spoilt the look of the bike?

 

[vickster]

Buy from your local bike shop where you can get a testride if unsure? This is the big issue with buying online from wiggle etc

Does it matter what it looks like with a flipped stem for commuting? Surely full mudguards etc are more important?

How tall are you?

Based on what you said, 58 with shorter stem or inline seatpost might work better. But it’s your £££