Geometry... how do I know what will fit?

[lee1980sim]

Which company is it and which bukes are you looking at. You might find interst free credit on an older model works out cheaper especially if a lower rate taxpayer. I expect otherwise you are paying rrp now on a bike which will be replaced in the summer

The company is cycle solutions

 

[lee1980sim]

Oh and the main bike I'm looking at is a merida ride 400

Although the missus would like me to go for the 300... More pennies for her see

 

[screenman]

One of the questions I ask when people talk about these schemes is, do you need any more debt in your life?

This is not too just the OP, but anyone else considering it.

 

[shadow master]

Oh and the main bike I'm looking at is a merida ride 400

Although the missus would like me to go for the 300... More pennies for her see

Excellent Merida are my specialist subject,Do NOT drop to the 300 model you lose so much and only save a few quid,the fulcrum wheels and 22speed 105 are worth it alone,and the 6066 alloy frame is a higher grade most bike makes don't even use way above 7005,and 6061.I hope your thinking of the black pink lampre model its sexy...lol,I can help you with the sizing as I've dealt with loads,they come up bigger than most,,what height,inside leg are you?.....out of interest this models in my local at £849!

 

[slowmotion]

I'm not sure you can get a good bike fit by using on-line geometry sites. They might get you close, but not close enough for you to sort out later with tweeks. Your height and inside leg measurements are pretty crude indicators of how the bike will feel. The bike I'm riding now has pretty much the same set up as my last one....saddle-pedal, saddle-hoods etc but is feels completely different. The bars are a couple of an inches narrower, and the hoods slope inwards slightly and fall naturally into my hands. It's a huge improvement. My only advice would be to have a test ride on the bike itself. You must really.

 

[lee1980sim]

On a different subject you should be fast on a proper road bike if your averages on a 17 kg tank of a bike are anything to go by.

In was hoping to get above 16 last year but off road rides with the missus along with child trailer on tow (weehoo thing) dragged my average down, then the weather... But hey ho there's always this year and the little one does like his rides, unlike the missus who insists I load up the car drive an hour to some park for her to spend 10 minutes in the saddle... So happy lol

 

[lee1980sim]

Excellent Merida are my specialist subject,Do NOT drop to the 300 model you lose so much and only save a few quid,the fulcrum wheels and 22speed 105 are worth it alone,and the 6066 alloy frame is a higher grade most bike makes don't even use way above 7005,and 6061.I hope your thinking of the black pink lampre model its sexy...lol,I can help you with the sizing as I've dealt with loads,they come up bigger than most,,what height,inside leg are you?.....out of interest this models in my local at £849!

I'm a 33 inside leg and yes it'll be the 400 in the funky colours if I once again use the argument of "I cycle to work all year so think of all the money I'm saving" lol

 

[wam68]

In was hoping to get above 16 last year but off road rides with the missus along with child trailer on tow (weehoo thing) dragged my average down, then the weather... But hey ho there's always this year and the little one does like his rides, unlike the missus who insists I load up the car drive an hour to some park for her to spend 10 minutes in the saddle... So happy lol

Don't rule out 2nd hand because you can get some cracking deals on gumtree for less money than the C2W. People buy bikes thinking they are the next TdF winner on the C2W scheme and then realise they don't like it after two weeks and sell them. The deals are out there big time and you can try before you buy.

 

[shadow master]

I'm a 33 inside leg and yes it'll be the 400 in the funky colours if I once again use the argument of "I cycle to work all year so think of all the money I'm saving" lol

Good choice lamprey colours are all the rage!well if your 33" inside leg your probably 6ft 1 or 6ft 2 if your are I would say 56cm in a merida,if your long legged but still 6ft or just under then 54cm would be better,Merida come up a bit bigger than some,The RIDE models are excellent for commuting and sportives etc...especially with the 22speed,gives a really good range of gears,and with the compact on the front even gravity will become your friend...hope this helps

 

[Cyclist33]

I'm not sure you can get a good bike fit by using on-line geometry sites. They might get you close, but not close enough for you to sort out later with tweeks. Your height and inside leg measurements are pretty crude indicators of how the bike will feel. The bike I'm riding now has pretty much the same set up as my last one....saddle-pedal, saddle-hoods etc but is feels completely different. The bars are a couple of an inches narrower, and the hoods slope inwards slightly and fall naturally into my hands. It's a huge improvement. My only advice would be to have a test ride on the bike itself. You must really.

Angling hoods in or out is a five minute job with a hex key.

 

[slowmotion]

Angling hoods in or out is a five minute job with a hex key.

My new bike has Campag Veloce hoods. My old one had Shimano 105s. After using the Campag ones, I angled the Shimano ones inwards but there wasn't the improvement that I expected. The Campag ones are actually bent. The Shimano ones are straight. It makes a huge difference to the feel of the bike.

 

[lee1980sim]

well if your 33" inside leg your probably 6ft 1 or 6ft 2 if your are I would say 56cm in a merida,if your long legged but still 6ft or just under then 54cm would be better,

I'm actually 5'10" but a long legged freak (should've been a woman with my long legs) and hopefully I will enjoy chose the ride over scultura due to occasional back problems so will give me best of both but I assume I'll be looking at 54 or next one dow, think I've found a way to "cheat" the system but not sure yet so keeping hush for now

 

[shadow master]

I'm actually 5'10" but a long legged freak (should've been a woman with my long legs) and hopefully I will enjoy chose the ride over scultura due to occasional back problems so will give me best of both but I assume I'll be looking at 54 or next one dow, think I've found a way to "cheat" the system but not sure yet so keeping hush for now

My mate the same as you,,,54cm would be best,you'll probably find the cockpit a bit short on the 52cm for commuting etc....