Size advice - BeOne Storm

[graywoodhouse]

Hi

I'm a bit of a newbie. I've been riding for a couple of weeks and using my wife's bike (don't worry, it isn't pink) and am on the verge of buying my own bike, a BeOne Storm Race. I'm struggling to decide which size to get and as it's a good deal from an online retailer I don't have the option of trying before I buy.

My wifes bike is a 52cm Ribble frame with a 12cm stem (she's 5ft 6in), when on the drops it feels a bit small for me and I struggle to get the power down. The BeOne Storm comes in 45, 50, 55 or 60. Should I be looking at the 50 or 55? Could I get the 55 and put a shorter stem on? Does anyone have any experience with these frames?

There's a review here, but a lot of the stuff about geometry doesn't make much sense to me.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-beone-storm-09-34093

I've used an online fit system and it's recommended the following:

Frame Size center-to-center: 53 cm Frame Size center-to-top: 54 cm Overall Reach: 63.69 cm Saddle Height: 71.77 cm Handlebar Width: 42 cm


I'm 5ft 8in with an inside leg of 32"

Really appreciate the help, hoping to place an order in the morning!

 

[graywoodhouse]

I guess by the lack of replies that nobody has any experience of this frame. So a bit of an update for anyone coming across this post or needing advice on compact frames.

When I spoke to the shop to place the order they informed me this is a compact frame with a sloping top tube, this shortens the length of the seat tube and therefore the sizes are different. For this reason compact frames are often sized as S, M, L, etc... rather than traditional cm measurement. The 50cm compact frame is the equivalent of a M, which is roughly equivalent to a 54cm traditional frame (his words, not mine!), which for a regular 5ft 8" chap like me should be about right. Having looked at the geometry, the top tube should be slightly longer than the Ribble I'm currently riding, so again, should be ideal.

Bike is on order and I can't wait to get it, it's going to be about a week as the store have been inundated with orders in the end of season sale.

Ideally I would have visited a local store and tried a few out, however this was too good a deal to miss, £999 RRP on sale at £559, cheapest price I could find with a Tiagra group set. I did take some advice from my father-in-law who has been cycling for 40+ years and has built many bikes for himself and family who advised me to get the best groupset I could afford and steer clear of 2300 and Sora kit. He had offered to build me a bike with a Tiagra groupset but couldn't beat the price I found online even using a pair of Mavic Aksiums wheels he had going spare!

Should have the bike by the end of the week so will post another update in due course. What are people's general thoughts on compact frames?

 

[aidanjc]

Hi Gray

I have been searching for info on the Beone Storm Race bike as I am thinking of buying one myself.

Can't find much information or reviews so wondered how you have found it? There is some perplexing info out there about the sizing. I am a touch under 5'11" and wonder if you have any advice.

Would be great if you can let me know how you have found teh bike and any tips before I decide to buy. I am pretty close to making the decision to go ahead. I have only ridden hardtail or full sus MTBs and hybrids up to now but am planning 100 year bike ride to mark my 50th so think a road bike will be necessary. As a teenager I rode drop-handlebar "racers" for years but today's road bikes are much more advanced.

Many thanks if you or any other members can offer any advice. This is the deal I am looking at - with delivery a shade over £480. Would you recommend it based on your experience? Hope you have enjoyed your road riding.

Many thanks

Aidan

 

[graywoodhouse]

More than happy to talk about my bike! Strange that you've got in touch now as my little BeOne has recently celebrated its first birthday! First of all sizing. The BeOne is a compact geometry, i.e. it has a sloping top tube which makes the seat tube shorter, i.e. a 50cm 'compact' frame may be similar to a 54cm traditional frame where the top tube is horizontal. The intention is that you then use a longer seat post to compensate. I'm 5'8" and ended up getting the 50cm which in all honesty is probably a little too big for me, I've therefore fitted a shorter stem, 8cm as opposed to the 10cm that it came with. If you're 5'11" you're probably going to be between the 50 and the 55. I'd recommend using the fitting system on wrenchscience.com, this will give you an overall reach figure. You basically then want to get a bike where the top tube length + stem length is as close as possible to your overall reach. Download the brochure from the BeOne website and check the top tube length for both the 50cm and 55cm frames. The top tube on the 50cm is 55.5cm I think, as I said, I've fitted an 8cm stem to match my overall reach measurement of 63cm. If you're buying from Merlin cycles give them a call as they were happy to advise me on sizing. Regarding the bike itself, I chose it because it was the cheapest bike at the time offering the Shimano Tiagra groupset. This is the next step up from Shimano Sora. My son's bike is fitted with Sora kit and the main improvement I can see is regarding the shifters. The Tiagra shifters have a more quality feel, the Sora are quite plasticy IMHO. Same applies to the brake calipers. As with any bike at this price there are pros and cons, but on the whole I've been very pleased with it. Pros: Full Tiagra groupset, including brake calipers and wheel hubs. Some bikes claim to have a full Shimano groupset but often some components, such as the calipers are cheaper, unbranded kit. Triple chain ring and 12-30 rear cassette - as a newbie I appreciate the range of gears for getting up hills. Schwalbe Lugano tyres - excellent tyres which saw me through 700 wintery miles with no punctures, since upgraded to a lighter summer tyre (Schwalbe Ultremos) but will be fitting the Luganos again now winter is approaching. The bike which i got from Merlin was really well built and setup, I've covered probably 2000 miles and haven't had any issues with cables working loose or problems with gear shifting. Triple chain rings and front mechs can be difficult to get working properly but mine has been great from day one. Looks are a personal thing, but personally I love the white, red and black colour scheme! Cons The Exal wheels are on the heavy side, I've upgraded to some lighter wheels for the Summer, but will be putting the original Exals back on for the winter. The Selle Italia X1 saddle is entry level and I found it uncomfortable so I've upgraded this too (to another Selle Italia model) If you're getting it for £480 it's a bargain IMHO. Let me know how you get on!

 

[aidanjc]

Dear Grey

Thanks so much for such a comprehensive response. Sounds like a ringing endorsement.

I am hoping that whatever I buy I won't need to tinker with too much so pleased to hear gears and cables are still fine after 2,000 miles.

All sounds good apart from saddle and wheels. I think I can manage changing the saddle but the wheels are more of a concern on two counts -

• I don't really want to spend over £500 so a new set of lightweight wheels will probably be quite expensive.
  
• I am unsure when you change the wheel how you fit the rear chainset (the rear cog that the chain sits on - might be called something else!) onto another wheel - I have never done it and don't know the terminology. I would be worried that changes such as these would leave me with gears and brakes that don't work properly after taking the wheel off

i probably haven't explained that very well and maybe it is really easy. Why are the heavy wheels OK for winter but not summer incidentally?

I will give Merlin a call one day this week hopefully for some advice re size but your comments are really helpful. I drive my daughter to Newcastle Uni form London next week so may even take the long route back via Chorley and visit the shop. I will find out if they have much stock. It sounds like the ones they have in stock are the same model you got last year even cheaper so a great deal then! I like the fact that it is a little know brand as well - I always like the underdog.

Hard to find much about this manufacturer but I saw a few comments about cracks appearing ion the frames of the MTBs but equally some really positive reviews like your own.

I'm pretty much sold on getting one tbh; especially after reading of your good experiences.

Thanks again and a belated Happy Birthday to your bike!

Aidan

 

[graywoodhouse]

Happy to help! In answer to your questions, the rear gears are referred to as the cassette. You do need some specialist tools in order to swap the cassette over, a freewheel remover and a chain whip, they aren't expensive and if I can do it anyone can! Having said that, there is certainly no need to change the wheels they are more than adequate. Regarding winter and summer wheels, again there is no need to do this. Winter roads are tough on wheels, with more pot-holes and damage, mixed with moisture and salt on the rims and hubs, many cyclists have cheaper, heavier wheels for the winter and 'best' wheels for the summer months. Again, you'll be fine with the standard wheels and routine cleaning through the winter. Give Merlin a call, they are primarily an internet business and from what i recall don't have all their bikes on display at their showroom, however if you give them a call they may be happy to get one out for you to look at and help with sizing. I actually have family up that way so collected the bike from them rather than having it delivered. Don't forget all the extras that you may or may not want to sort out! The bike doesn't come with pedals (well, mine didn't)! So you will need to decide if you want to fit flat pedals or clipless, in which case, which system and the appropriate shoes and cleats. Other than that the bike is ready to ride, however as a beginner you may want to consider the following: padded shorts/trousers, tops and jerseys for various conditions, drinks bottle and bottle cage (unless you carry it in your jersey), track pump, spare inner tubes, mini pump, basic tools, i.e. a mini multi-tool and tyre levers, saddle bag to attach tools to your bike, lights for morning / evening rides in the winter. Certainly no need to get these all at once and you can add to them over time... Christmas is not too far away! And yes, it is nice to ride something a little out of the ordinary and stand out from the crowd of Giants, Treks and Specializeds!

 

[aidanjc]

Thanks again Gray

I did look the companet up and found that as you say it is the cassette. So much terminology! However, changing it over sounds more technical than I want to explore.

Tempted to call in at Merlin next weekend. My mother and father-in-law live in Horiwch so maybe I can go Newcastle-Chorley-Horwich-London. Bloody long drive! Haven't been able to phone Merlin yet as I am on jury service this week so not practical.

Thanks for the other suggestions, i have lots of pedals - I do use cleats on my much loved hardtail MTB so am used to that set-up so I can swap over a pair. I think I will sell a hybrid bile that I have never really got into as my wife will go mad otherwise at more biles clogging up the shed. I use padded shorts already having done quite a lot of longish rides (up to 60 miles max in a day+. However, 100 miles I think means I need the road bike!

I have had Treks for many years now before I knew anything about brands. I still have a soft spot for Treks but will be glad to have something little known. I was thinking of a Btwin which laos get good reviews but feel the Beone is the one for me. Despite doing lots of bike riding I am rubbish at maintenance so don't fancy changing wheels etc if the set-up off the shelf is decent.

Thanks again for all your help.

Aidan

 

[graywoodhouse]

How did you get on? Did you get the BeOne in the end?

 

[aidanjc]

Hi Gray

I have been on jury service which has limited my opportunities to phone them. I phoned on Saturday but they don't take phone calls on Saturdays!

I finally called them at lunch today between sittings and spoke to a helpful lady. I plan to divert from Newcastle to Chorley on my way back to London on Saturday to hopefully ride one. She suggested a 55" for my height. I asked if I liked it could I take it there and then on Saturday but she said unlikely to be possible. Shame it would save me a delivery charge too..

My friend is on about preferring to see one and maybe go to Decathlon but pretty confident that once I see it this will be my choice.

Will report back once I have seen it!

Aidan