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Post by joek1973 on Oct 29, 2016 17:03:55 GMT
Hi guys,
Like many here, I've rode MTBs for a few years and am getting interested in road bikes.
Looking at the 500SE as it seems to tick all the right boxes for a great price.
Done some test rides on bikes at my local shops and I have a dilemna.... basically I'm 177cm with a armspan of 186cm (Ape Index 1.05, think of a gibbon and you're not far off). Inside leg of 81cm. Anyway my local shop owner sized me up on a 54cm frame and I was way too big on it, sat very upright with my hands on the hoods. I went to another bike shop and tested a 58cm frame and this time the reach was too long - I had to lean over a little too far to reach the hoods.
So I'm just wondering if a 56cm or 57cm frame (like the 500SE) will be right for me? Maybe a 57cm 500SE with a slightly shorter stem?
Anyway, hope to get a back very soon, and thanks in advance for any advice you can offer,
Joe
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 18:06:11 GMT
Hi Joe and welcome, don't think the 500se comes in 56cm my friend. As you said, "Maybe a 57cm with a shorter stem" would be worth a word with the Decathlon crew. Best of luck hope you find a suitable solution.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 18:27:41 GMT
Hi and welcome. You'll get some more experienced replies than mine but if you get the lager bike you can change the length of the stem for £10. I'm guessing it is 110mm (same as the 540?) and you can go shorter picking sizes right down to 60mm. And before I managed to complete the post....along came robert  |
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Post by joek1973 on Oct 29, 2016 19:55:07 GMT
Thanks robert and bornagain,
I'll check the length of the stem when I'm at the store tomorrow and will ask the store if they can fit a shorter one if needed, don't know till you ask eh. Looking at the stems available there doesn't seem to be any long stems available which would kinda rule out the smaller frame anyway. Even if there were one available I wonder if the length of the stem would make steering a bit twitchy?
Thanks again for your advice!
Joe
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Post by william39 on Oct 29, 2016 23:00:17 GMT
I would recommend a smaller bike with longer stem if you want to get in a sportier position. I'm 191cm and ride a size 60 Triban with 120mm stem and size 58 Trek with 130mm stem no problems with steering and you can get a bigger saddle to bar drop which helps if you want to get aero. Bike looks more 'pro' as well. From experience on here lots more people wish they bought a smaller frame than a bigger one.
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Post by joek1973 on Oct 30, 2016 6:05:49 GMT
I would recommend a smaller bike with longer stem if you want to get in a sportier position. I'm 191cm and ride a size 60 Triban with 120mm stem and size 58 Trek with 130mm stem no problems with steering and you can get a bigger saddle to bar drop which helps if you want to get aero. Bike looks more 'pro' as well. From experience on here lots more people wish they bought a smaller frame than a bigger one. Thanks for the reply William, sportiness is the last thing on my mind though, just looking get fitter and keep losing weight. Having sat on a 54cm frame at my local bike shop, I think I'd need a very long stem to get the right position for me. I'll keep an eye out for longer stems at the store today. Cheers! |
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Post by joek1973 on Oct 30, 2016 16:08:13 GMT
I checked the bike out at Decathlon Southampton today, 57cm frame, straightaway it was a far better fit for me than either of the other two bikes I've sat on. I've bought a 90mm stem as a tuning aid in case I need it to get my reach exactly how is want it. Oh and got some pedals and shoes too! Ordering online in a couple of days as I can get the delivery date I want easier that way.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 16:54:43 GMT
HI Joe,
Glad you had the chance to try one for size.
How come you have decided to do mail order? Could have ridden one home today if it doesn't fit in the car...LOL
Southampton is my closet store too, I had some decent advise in there from James.
That said I'm still tweaking the best fit. My perception changes with the more miles I have done. I feel the hamstring tendons behind the knees after a while so continuing to read all the contradictions on the net regarding bike fit and going through them one by until I find the best spot.
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Post by joek1973 on Oct 30, 2016 17:21:09 GMT
HI Joe, Glad you had the chance to try one for size. How come you have decided to do mail order? Could have ridden one home today if it doesn't fit in the car...LOL Southampton is my closet store too, I had some decent advise in there from James. That said I'm still tweaking the best fit. My perception changes with the more miles I have done. I feel the hamstring tendons behind the knees after a while so continuing to read all the contradictions on the net regarding bike fit and going through them one by until I find the best spot. Hi bornagain, To be honest, I wasn't sure that I could get the bike delivered on a day suitable for me if I ordered today (also I had time constraints - parking and family in tow - which made the service feel slow, to be fair the staff were quite busy); hence I'm probably going to order on Tuesday so it arrives Friday. If that doesn't work out, I'll just order it to arrive at the shop and pick it up next weekend. Hope I can get it before the end of the week though as I'd love to get it out on the road on Saturday morning. |
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Post by chas on Oct 30, 2016 19:09:27 GMT
HI Joe, Glad you had the chance to try one for size. How come you have decided to do mail order? Could have ridden one home today if it doesn't fit in the car...LOL Southampton is my closet store too, I had some decent advise in there from James. That said I'm still tweaking the best fit. My perception changes with the more miles I have done. I feel the hamstring tendons behind the knees after a while so continuing to read all the contradictions on the net regarding bike fit and going through them one by until I find the best spot. I got on my winter bike last weekend and the saddle felt a bit high, possibly due to new shoes, possibly I'd had it set a tad high in the past and hadn't realised, I've not used it for ages. I couldn't be bothered to change it as there's a bag clamped to the post that would need to be moved and I was setting off to meet the clubrun. I forgot about the saddle height as I got used to it until on the way back I was struggling to hang on and the tendons behind my knees were starting to cramp... I've since lowered the saddle - about 5mm or less and no more problems (at least not with my tendons, hanging on is another matter  ) |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 19:47:41 GMT
I got on my winter bike last weekend and the saddle felt a bit high, possibly due to new shoes, possibly I'd had it set a tad high in the past and hadn't realised, I've not used it for ages. I couldn't be bothered to change it as there's a bag clamped to the post that would need to be moved and I was setting off to meet the clubrun. I forgot about the saddle height as I got used to it until on the way back I was struggling to hang on and the tendons behind my knees were starting to cramp... I've since lowered the saddle - about 5mm or less and no more problems (at least not with my tendons, hanging on is another matter ) Sorry to high jack your thread Joe, But thanks for that info Chas...there is a lot of agreement for lowering the saddle when those tendons hurt. But...when I do the in-seam calcs and also look at the bend in my leg with the pedal at 6 o'clock it would seem I need to go the other way. I might put up some stuff I have found in another thread and leave Joe's alone now |
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Post by joek1973 on Oct 30, 2016 20:31:48 GMT
I got on my winter bike last weekend and the saddle felt a bit high, possibly due to new shoes, possibly I'd had it set a tad high in the past and hadn't realised, I've not used it for ages. I couldn't be bothered to change it as there's a bag clamped to the post that would need to be moved and I was setting off to meet the clubrun. I forgot about the saddle height as I got used to it until on the way back I was struggling to hang on and the tendons behind my knees were starting to cramp... I've since lowered the saddle - about 5mm or less and no more problems (at least not with my tendons, hanging on is another matter ) Sorry to high jack your thread Joe, But thanks for that info Chas...there is a lot of agreement for lowering the saddle when those tendons hurt. But...when I do the in-seam calcs and also look at the bend in my leg with the pedal at 6 o'clock it would seem I need to go the other way. I might put up some stuff I have found in another thread and leave Joe's alone now Lol. Hijack all you like mate, it's all stuff I need to learn too. I've always rode my MTB with a high saddle as it feels more comfortable for me on and off road but not sure it's actually the best position for my tendons. I think road cycling will probably show up any deficiencies in my position on the bike as you're seated a lot more than on MTB. So crack on! I'll post some pics of the bike when I get it 😁 |
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Post by joek1973 on Nov 1, 2016 8:33:54 GMT
Just a quick questions as I'm ordering the bike today; innertubes..... is the 48mm valve OK? The wheels don't look like a deep section or anything so this should leave plenty sticking out?
Thanks all for your advice, really looking forward to getting the bike and part of the reason I am buying is because of this great forum and the people who make it what it is!
Joe
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Post by william39 on Nov 1, 2016 10:46:38 GMT
Yes they will be fine. Worth getting 18-25 if you think you might change to 25mm tyres.
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Post by joek1973 on Nov 5, 2016 6:42:38 GMT
Got the bike! Delivery wasn't great, ie I collected it from DHL but I have it anyway. Just about to go for first ride.  |
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