Bought too small of frame. Can I do something to help?

[Scott'sTrek1000]

I recently bought a Trek1000 as a beginning bike and purchased a 50cm frame. After riding some and having some buddies look at it, it seems like I may need a bigger frame. Because I'm still new to cycling, I don't want to go buy ANOTHER bike or frame right now. Is there anything I can do to kinda correct having too small of a frame for now, until I'm ready to purchase a nicer bike?...maybe change bars, headset, adjust or do something with my seating on the bike?

Thanks in advance. You guys are a bunch of help.

 

[boudreaux]

I recently bought a Trek1000 as a beginning bike and purchased a 50cm frame. After riding some and having some buddies look at it, it seems like I may need a bigger frame. Because I'm still new to cycling, I don't want to go buy ANOTHER bike or frame right now. Is there anything I can do to kinda correct having too small of a frame for now, until I'm ready to purchase a nicer bike?...maybe change bars, headset, adjust or do something with my seating on the bike?

Thanks in advance. You guys are a bunch of help.

Assuming correct saddle position, if you re scrunced up and or bent over, a stem change can help.

 

[gruppo]

The are many options and there are also limitations to what can be done. Instead of throwing good money after bad, why not seek our a good bike fitter? They can very quickly tell if that bike can be fitted to you and probably provide all the parts required to do the job right.

 

[Tesla*]

You may be able to extend the cockpit some with a seatpost with more setback and a longer stem. The advice to consult someone familiar with properly fitting you is good. If you don't have access to someone who can do this, then consult some of the internet sources available. Colorado Cyclist has some rudimentary fit guidelines on their website.

 

[Scott'sTrek1000]

Thanks. I've been tweeking my seat height and setback a bit and it's getting more comfortable. I also recently purchased some look pedals and am still trying to get used to the feel versus the old. I DID realize that I had the mount too far back on my shoes so I adjusted them up (to use more toe) and it feels better. It's amazing how much a little adjusting here and there can affect it. Thanks a bunch for all of the replys. I look forward to more. By the way, HOW CAN A LONGER STEM HELP? IF IT'S LONGER, DOESN'T THIS MEAN THAT IT WILL PROTRUDE FURTHER OUT TOWARDS THE FRONT TIRE, THEREFORE MAKING IT MORE OF A REACH FOR ME?

 

[boudreaux]

By the way, HOW CAN A LONGER STEM HELP? IF IT'S LONGER, DOESN'T THIS MEAN THAT IT WILL PROTRUDE FURTHER OUT TOWARDS THE FRONT TIRE, THEREFORE MAKING IT MORE OF A REACH FOR ME?

You said someone thought the frame was too small,and that usually means a too short toptube or too low bars. A stem change can fix both, to a degree. Maybe you need to get some feedback from the 'expert' on just what he thinks the problem is..

 

[MGSuarez]

Check out the bike fitting on Wrench Science. com. It can give you a better idea of what should fit. You can go up to a 13cm stem if you have to. I dont think any longer is reccomended. Good luck.

 

[Cipo]

I too was "sold" a frame too small for me a few years back. I put up with it for three years, being uncomfortable and riding as well as I could, until I went to a specialist bike fitter who made massive adjustments to the saddle aft position, the head stem, seat post etc etc. Cost me hundreds. I did feel better but at a cost in more ways than one. (Read on)
Because the saddle needed to be pushed so far back the bikes centre of gravity was too far back and the bike was unstable at speed. There were many other adjustments made that in retrospect should never have been. The bike fitter should have been honest enough to say "Look I can make you more comfortable with this frame but it's not advisable"
A few weeks later I crashed.
Now i have a new frame that fits me from the start and I could kick myself for not ditching my old frame earlier. In my opinion anything you do with the frame is a compromise and ultimately a costly one. If you can afford it, change frames now. You'll notice a big difference once you have a bike that fits you

Cipo

 

[Randybaker99]

Check out the bike fitting on Wrench Science. com. It can give you a better idea of what should fit. You can go up to a 13cm stem if you have to. I dont think any longer is reccomended. Good luck.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO is a very good fit calculator.

Also, I agree with Cipo, you need to determine the degree to which the frame is too small. That will tell you whether making changes to the existing setup is going to work out.

Just to give an example, if your current frame is 50cm and the fit calculator above says 52cm would be just right, then you could easily get your current bike properly adjusted. Don't forget, a lot of bikes are sold in small, medium and large (mostly they are compact frames), so adjusting for a couple of cm is pretty routine.

If you really need a 56cm frame, then don't bother making changes, it will be throwing good money after bad, IMO.

If you should really be riding a 54cm, then that is a tough call - I will defer to someone who can speak more knowledgably. If it were me, I probably wouldn't try to fix a bike that was 4 cm too small. Anyone else have an opinion on that?