Tri Bike Sizing vs. Road Bike Sizing
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1076 days
donegal1 posted 2 years ago.
Usually you go down 1 size on the tri bike. For example, my road bike is a 52cm, my tri bike is a 51cm.
2436
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1319 days
Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
Depends on the brand, Trek sizes the same, as do a few others.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
62
Member
1143 days
jmchina posted 2 years ago.
You can usually adjust for the size with seat height and stem length.
131
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1186 days
bigdogtwo posted 2 years ago.
Generally you move down one size on a tri bike.
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1682 days
jeslol posted 2 years ago.
I'm having the exact same debate at the moment. The idea is that you want to ride the smallest frame you can fit. That being said I thought my 52 road bike was a bit on the smaller side and the Transition jumps from a 52 to a 49. I know part of the answer is to test ride both sizes, but I have to order my bike.
102
Member
1147 days
merlinextraligh posted 2 years ago.
odds are you'll find your best fit one size down. My road bike and my tri bike are the same frame size. The road bike is set up with about maximum seat extension, and some spacers under the stem. To get the right fit on the tri bike with the same size frame, I've got much less seatpost out, and the stem as flat and as low is it can go. I woudl have bought one size smaller in the tri bike ,except I got it used and was able to make it fit, but only at the very margin of how low you can put the stem.
202
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1180 days
ht001 posted 2 years ago.
IIt sounds like prevailing wisdom is to go down a size. Which does make it difficult to order one online or buy used unless you've been fitted. I guess, though, going in to bike shops to test ride different sizes doesn't mean that you have to ultimately buy a bike from them. I thought I'd have an opportunity to buy a very slightly used tri bike but as it is the same size as my road bike I'm reconsidering. The measurements are really close on the top tube, chainstay, wheelbase etc. but based on what I'm reading here and elsewhere I'm not convinced that such a comparison is really apples to apples.
Merlin, do you find your ride on the tri bike to be inefficient or uncomfortable the way you've got it adjusted?
Would you all say that it is, or is not good thinking to assume that one would ride the same size in a tri bike as in a road bike? I was fitted professionally on my road bike at 53 and it has proven to be comfortable both for standard road riding, and for riding in aerobars (for this the saddle is adjusted forward ever so slightly). I'm curious whether it would seem logical then that a 53 in a tri geometry would be right, or whether people tend to go down a size.
I know I should go to a shop and try some different models to test the theory, but I'm sick as a dog, stuck on the couch, and dreaming about tri bikes...indulge me!
Thanks!