K
Kjell Arne Olse
Guest
After more than ten years of mountainbiking (and lurking on r.b.t for the better part of those ten
years) I hit the road two years ago, first with a '96 Klein Quantum II (53 cm c-t), and the last
year a '00 Cannondale Cyclocross (52 cm c-t).
I opted for a cyclocross because I wanted to try and see if I could use the same bike for road
racing (masters fattie, I'm afraid...) and this country's top MTB event, Birkebeinerrittet (11000
participants). But as I don't seem to gain anything on the fire roads with a cross frame over my
Klein Adroit Race, I will go back to a pure road frame for the coming season.
The cyclocross frame does not offer any standover clearance either, and after the first hour of
riding the lower part of my back start to ache. Not a serious pain, but more of being comfortable.
As I usually prefer to buy used bikes I hope to get some fitting advice in this group. I have tried
many of the web-based fitting calculators and they agree that with my 31 inch (78.5 cm) inseam I
need a 51 cm c-c frame. But for the top tube I get values of everything from 52 to 56-57 cm. I'm
5'8" tall (171.5 cm), so I have short legs and a relatively long torso. Body height measured from
the floor to the base of the sternal notch is 54.5" (138.5 cm).
Are my back aches a fitting-related issue or more of a muscle strength/flexibility issue?
Can I use a standard frame, or do I have to get a custom fitted frame? I can get a good deal on a 52
cm CAAD7 with complete Dura-Ace, so I hope this will do it, but maybe I need a longer top tube. Will
a Trek be an alternative, or is there other options?
Many thanks for your patience if you've read so far!
Kjell Arne in icy Norway
--
http://www.brumunddal-sk.idrett.no/ Remove your clothes if you want to answer by e-mail! favorite
fruit. (Sheldon Brown, http://harriscyclery.com/
years) I hit the road two years ago, first with a '96 Klein Quantum II (53 cm c-t), and the last
year a '00 Cannondale Cyclocross (52 cm c-t).
I opted for a cyclocross because I wanted to try and see if I could use the same bike for road
racing (masters fattie, I'm afraid...) and this country's top MTB event, Birkebeinerrittet (11000
participants). But as I don't seem to gain anything on the fire roads with a cross frame over my
Klein Adroit Race, I will go back to a pure road frame for the coming season.
The cyclocross frame does not offer any standover clearance either, and after the first hour of
riding the lower part of my back start to ache. Not a serious pain, but more of being comfortable.
As I usually prefer to buy used bikes I hope to get some fitting advice in this group. I have tried
many of the web-based fitting calculators and they agree that with my 31 inch (78.5 cm) inseam I
need a 51 cm c-c frame. But for the top tube I get values of everything from 52 to 56-57 cm. I'm
5'8" tall (171.5 cm), so I have short legs and a relatively long torso. Body height measured from
the floor to the base of the sternal notch is 54.5" (138.5 cm).
Are my back aches a fitting-related issue or more of a muscle strength/flexibility issue?
Can I use a standard frame, or do I have to get a custom fitted frame? I can get a good deal on a 52
cm CAAD7 with complete Dura-Ace, so I hope this will do it, but maybe I need a longer top tube. Will
a Trek be an alternative, or is there other options?
Many thanks for your patience if you've read so far!
Kjell Arne in icy Norway
--
http://www.brumunddal-sk.idrett.no/ Remove your clothes if you want to answer by e-mail! favorite
fruit. (Sheldon Brown, http://harriscyclery.com/