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

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lee1980sim

Senior Member
Location
South Yorkshire
Ok so let's bore you with some background info... I've been cycling to work now for 3 years on a 17kg Claud Butler Explorer 500 I averaged 15.5mph over the whole of last year (up from 13mph when I first started) but now I'm wanting a more road specific bike as I wish to take part in a few sportive's along with trying to increase my speed etc, I have a couple in mind which I'm hoping to purchase via the c2w scheme I just struggle with working out the geometry and as the c2w is online I can't 'test' the bike beforehand
 

Turbo Rider

Just can't reMember
Not sure, but I like your avatar :thumbsup: If in doubt, take measurements & phone / email relevant places, I reckon :cuppa:
 

Red17

Veteran
Location
South London
If you can't test the bike there are several on line bike fit calculators that you can play about with which give a decent starting point for comparing against the manufacturers geometry which can often be found on line.

I've used a couple including this one and found them to be pretty consistant in their recommendations - its hopefully then just a bit of final tweaking

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp
 
OP
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lee1980sim

lee1980sim

Senior Member
Location
South Yorkshire
If you can't test the bike there are several on line bike fit calculators that you can play about with which give a decent starting point for comparing against the manufacturers geometry which can often be found on line.

I've used a couple including this one and found them to be pretty consistant in their recommendations - its hopefully then just a bit of final tweaking

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

Thanks, that looks really helpful I'll give it a whirl and hopefully end up with the right size bike so I don't end up looking more of a div than I already do

Thanks again
 

Cyclist33

Guest
Location
Warrington
In my humble and arguable opinion you just need to get something that roughly fits your height profile, the rest you can muck about with and things like basic stems and seatpost can be had for a tenner or so. Most brands have some kind of sizing guide on their sites of webbinness.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Just go to evans, sit on a few, have a test ride. It's weird you can't try bikes with the scheme?!
 

shadow master

Well-Known Member
Why can't you just go to a local bike shop that is a member of the c2w scheme and test ride several models and makes???or have your employer joined the awful system where you are limited to a handful of bikes from one outlet they have already chosen?shame if they have,This system goes against the very idea and benefit of the c2w scheme,because if your free to choose the bike and outlet,you can shop local....helps with after care,take advantage of a bike that way be on promotion...offering even better savings..and most importantly you can choose a brand that will actually have credabitlty and more perceived value after hiring it for a year! I know some chain shops now have a special range,down specced to be sold for cycleschemes!that is plain wrong and typical of the chain stores milking the system.
 
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lee1980sim

lee1980sim

Senior Member
Location
South Yorkshire
Just go to evans, sit on a few, have a test ride. It's weird you can't try bikes with the scheme?!
The scheme they have means I can only buy from the company in question and it's all online, it's rather crap and I've suggested my employer uses a lbs giving several good reasons why... Including good PR by promoting local businesses, but hey ho I am but the bottom rung of the ladder so my opinion doesn't count
 
OP
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lee1980sim

lee1980sim

Senior Member
Location
South Yorkshire
Why can't you just go to a local bike shop that is a member of the c2w scheme and test ride several models and makes???or have your employer joined the awful system where you are limited to a handful of bikes from one outlet they have already chosen?shame if they have,This system goes against the very idea and benefit of the c2w scheme,because if your free to choose the bike and outlet,you can shop local....helps with after care,take advantage of a bike that way be on promotion...offering even better savings..and most importantly you can choose a brand that will actually have credabitlty and more perceived value after hiring it for a year! I know some chain shops now have a special range,down specced to be sold for cycleschemes!that is plain wrong and typical of the chain stores milking the system.
Basically all of the negative points above
 

vickster

Legendary Member
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
 
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User6179

Guest
Ok so let's bore you with some background info... I've been cycling to work now for 3 years on a 17kg Claud Butler Explorer 500 I averaged 15.5mph over the whole of last year (up from 13mph when I first started) but now I'm wanting a more road specific bike as I wish to take part in a few sportive's along with trying to increase my speed etc, I have a couple in mind which I'm hoping to purchase via the c2w scheme I just struggle with working out the geometry and as the c2w is online I can't 'test' the bike beforehand

If you want a more relaxed geometry type road bike then I would look at the size of the head tube between the same sized bikes , a bigger head tube will give you less of a drop between saddle and handlebars and a more upright position like a mountain bike , A Specialized Secteur is one such bike but most brands now have similar type bikes catering for the Mamil sportive market, just watch as some brands like Canondale come up big and others like Cube come up small so you could be a 58 on a cube but a 54cm on a Canondale if you were say 5ft 10 and of average proportions .
 

shadow master

Well-Known Member
Basically all of the negative points above
That's just typical, a specialist product that Joe public know nothing about,and your expected to do it online!!!
Just crazy!...your work place has been sucked in to a complete fiddle!...insurance companies went down the same route..limiting peoples choice,new for old policy premiums,as long as when you claim you pick a bike of there choice,from a supplier from there choice!you'd be better to get a one off deal on your credit card.than use CYCLE SCAM as its being called now!
 
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