Road bike size question

[bigbadbrad]

Hey fellow mudders... anybody out there also ride road bikes?

Here's the deal: after years of not having one, I obtained one about 18 mos. ago. Sorry to say you can count the number of rides on it on one hand since then. It's a nice bike (Cannondale), but I'm afraid it's a bit too small for me.

Anyone know any general size recommendations? I'm 6'4", inseam is 36". The bike is a 58 CM. I've had one LBS guy (granted, he was trying to sell me a bike) gasp that a 58 is too small for me, that I need a Large/60 CM. Last road bike I had was a 27" frame; I bought it new in 1986, because it was the biggest one I could find. Later felt it may have been a bit too big, had top-tube wobble issues (& I think we all know how painful that can be)

Just curious,
--Brad

[bcaverly]

Yep! I'd agree 58cm is way too small for a guy that is 6'-4". I'm 6'-2" and I ride a 61cm frame. you can probably get the seat up high enough but your riding position must be very cramped as the result of a short top tube. I have ridden a 58cm Cannondale (just around the block) and it was definitely too small for me.

I don't think there is any magic formula that will guarantee the one right size for you. Road bikes are differnet from make to make based on geometry variations just like MTBs. Speedgoat.com had a really nice bike sizing questionaire you might want to try out - I think they had one for both road and MTB.

Hope that helps,

[RetroG]

Sounds small to me too. I came up with 60-61 cm measured center to top.
Check this out.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/

[TrailVictim]

Go to www.wrenchscience.com they have formula you can use which is pretty damn accurate.