Gravel/Commuter/Wet weather sizing

[NeedAdvice2026]

Hi guys,

I would appreciate some advice regarding sizing of gravel bikes.

I am looking at some gravel bikes to replace a very old commuter, which was a single speed road bike.

I have a road bike that I do my recreational cycling on, but I would like to replace it with a bike that will mainly be a commuter, but will also double up as a winter/wet weather road bike.

I have decided on a gravel bike as they often have the holds for things like a rack etc which is useful for the kids/admin, in case I need it, and I think the fat tyres are good in this terrible weather and on roads with a lot of enormous potholes.

However, I am also not looking to spend more than I need to.

I have seen some bikes in the sale...but they are a size too small.

I am 5ft7, and the bike suggests that the small size is 5t5-5ft8, but only the the XS is available, suitable for: 5ft2 to 5ft5.

In general I like smaller/whippier bikes. Do you think I will be fine with a smaller frame? Or should I follow the guidance.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I am 5ft2
My bikes are 700X wheels with xs frame.
You get toe overlap, mudguards are annoyingly fiddly to fit.
There's not a lot of room on the handlebars for accessories because of the length and because the cables are in the way.

 

[cyberknight]

Depends on the geometry and head tube height as your liable to get a bike fit with a lot of drop from saddle to the handlebars as well as a longer stem to get the reach . Even with flipping the stem can you ride in that position?

 

[wafter]

Tbh naming / sizing conventions and attempts to relate bike size to height are so incredibly variable whether a bike will actually fit you based on these nebulous terms alone is an absolute lottery.

Ideally you need to measure the reach and stack at the bars of your existing bike, do the same for the potential new one and try to figure it out from there.

By way of example one of my bikes is sold as a medium, one a large but the latter actually has less reach than the former.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I would look for a lesser spec that fitted me rather than a reduced, higher spec bike that didn't.