Jaaaaaamie
Senior Member
Hopefully I have chose the right sub-section for this, excuse a newbie if not!
Looking into getting my first road bike, after giving into the inevitable that Cambridgeshire offers more to me if I take up road riding than MTB'ing, and fairly sure it is going to be an Allez Sports Double.
Thing is I am not sure about sizing, as reading on the Internet I get conflicting info on whether a 52cm or 54cm Allez is right for me due to having longish legs for my height (5'7"/32"). According to Wiggle's guide to determining your reach, it turns out I have a positive ape index, which suggests I should go for the larger of the 2 frames, in this case the 54.
So with this in mind I managed to try out a 54cm Allez today, and to be honest I am still not sure. Standover etc was ok, as had an inch or so clearance. On the reach front, my arms were pretty straight when on the hoods. Felt a bit stretched out, but not sure whether this is because it is my first taste of the roadie way or because it is actually too big. The shop did have a 52cm Secteur in stock, slightly more upright geo, and while the reach felt ok, it did feel a bit cramped.
The guy in the shop said that the 54cm looked about right and that was the size he would recommend. He wasn't pushing the frame on me either as I told him I would not be buying for a week or 2.
Hopefully I am going to try a 52cm out this week if I can find one locally, but in the meantime if anyone can help me know what to look for in relation to looking for the right fit or advise what they are riding in an Allez flavour it would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Jamie
Looking into getting my first road bike, after giving into the inevitable that Cambridgeshire offers more to me if I take up road riding than MTB'ing, and fairly sure it is going to be an Allez Sports Double.
Thing is I am not sure about sizing, as reading on the Internet I get conflicting info on whether a 52cm or 54cm Allez is right for me due to having longish legs for my height (5'7"/32"). According to Wiggle's guide to determining your reach, it turns out I have a positive ape index, which suggests I should go for the larger of the 2 frames, in this case the 54.
So with this in mind I managed to try out a 54cm Allez today, and to be honest I am still not sure. Standover etc was ok, as had an inch or so clearance. On the reach front, my arms were pretty straight when on the hoods. Felt a bit stretched out, but not sure whether this is because it is my first taste of the roadie way or because it is actually too big. The shop did have a 52cm Secteur in stock, slightly more upright geo, and while the reach felt ok, it did feel a bit cramped.
The guy in the shop said that the 54cm looked about right and that was the size he would recommend. He wasn't pushing the frame on me either as I told him I would not be buying for a week or 2.
Hopefully I am going to try a 52cm out this week if I can find one locally, but in the meantime if anyone can help me know what to look for in relation to looking for the right fit or advise what they are riding in an Allez flavour it would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Jamie