Reach

[billy.c]

recently I have visited a few bike shops and tried some 53cm road bikes.
The shop assistants said they were the right height but the handlebars were to far away,
Is there any way to adjust the reach?

 

[Sharky]

The simple answer is to swap the stem for a shorter one. But the assistants comments are a bit strange. Always used to be that the stem size was proportional to the frame size. That is, the bigger frame would have a longer stem and the smaller frame a smaller stem. If you are being advised that the reach is too long, then maybe you should try the next size down?

Presume you have a bike already that is comfortable? Take measurements from your current bike and take a tape measure into the shop, then you can be really precise about the bike being too big or small.

Good luck

 

[biggs682]

@billy.c as per @Sharky 's post but then a good shop should be suggesting or telling you that as well

 

[screenman]

Can you touch your toes? If no then practise, this will help to more flexibility on the bike.

 

[steveindenmark]

Another thing that may help is to turn the stem upside down when you get the bike.

 

[MichaelW2]

Bikes are fitted to an averagely proportioned rider. Compact style frames can be fitted to a fairly wide range of proportions with a few tweaks. If you are long of torso and short of leg, you can go down a size and see how that feels. Changing brands is another way of making adjustments to the geometry, as is looking at Sportiv style vs race style road bikes.
Bar shape plays a role in reach. Short drop bars such as 3TTT Ergonova help towards a smaller reach.
Stem changes have very minor influence on steering characteristics, you can generally ignore them. I usually fit a med bike with an 8cm stem ratherv than the usual 10cm.

 

[cyberknight]

How tall are you?,inside keg might be ok but it might be worth looking at a smaller bike to see if it fits better .

 

[billy.c]

How tall are you?,inside keg might be ok but it might be worth looking at a smaller bike to see if it fits better .

I am five foot three

 

[cyberknight]

Sounds to me like a 53 is too big,im 5 foot 7 and a 53 is about right for me,my Boardman is 54 virtual top tube and I need a 90 mm stem. I reckon a 51 is closer to the mark

 

[vickster]

What bike is it?

They aren't all measured the same

But I'd say 53cm if it's the TT measurement, too big. I'm a smidge under 5'10 and ride 54cm bikes

Not the only size on the shop floor perchance?

 

[cyberknight]

[QUOTE="vickster, post: 4012793, member: 10



Not the only size on the shop floor perchance?[/QUOTE]my thoughts too

 

[vickster]

@billy.c it might be worth looking at a women's bike as they'll often come with a shorter stem, cranks and narrower bars which may work for you. Just need to change the saddle

However are you a youngster and still growing?

 

[youngoldbloke]

53 is likely far too big. I'm 5'5" and 50 (centre to centre) is about the largest frame I ride, with around a 52 top tube, and a100/110 stem. 48/49 is better for me. Was once persuaded by a LBS that a bigger frame bike was 'perfect', realised some years later when I knew better, that it was probably the last one left in the shop.

 

[Citius]

As above - 48-50cm would be a far better size for you..

 

[billy.c]

What bike is it?

They aren't all measured the same

But I'd say 53cm if it's the TT measurement, too big. I'm a smidge under 5'10 and ride 54cm bikes

Not the only size on the shop floor perchance?

I think it was a Viking San remo