Originally Posted by clouddog
Urgent question still stands
FWIW. A one inch
difference in frame size can often be considered to be a lot ... So, a 3cm would obviously be considered more
.... Particularly, if you feel-or-know that your current frame size is "perfect" for you. Having said THAT, frame sizing is as much functional as it can be cosmetic ... and, depending on the difference in size between two frames being compared, it may be more of a cosmetic issue. Thanks in part to TIG welding (vs. Lugs) construction, frame sizing has tended to be more focused on the Top Tube length rather than the Stand Over height now when compared with decades ago ...
MY observation is that the stand over is a convenience AND became an "industry" suggestion as a consequence of MTB riders often needing
two footed saddle dismounts ... and, the legal teams of corporations adopted The 2" (
?) stand over clearance as a consequence.
If you look at the frames of pictures of considerably older bikes (
or, if you are of a certain age), you will see (
or, remember!) that a minimal amount of seatpost exposure was more common than not on non-competition bike setups.
With a larger frame, in the past, it was easier to set the handlebars at a higher height.
To accommodate less competitive riders, now, manufacturers have added "comfort" to many bike frames by installing a longer (
hence, taller) head tube.
If you are a competitive rider, then it is important that you ensure that you can (
still) set the stem & handlebars at the height that you ultimately want ...
If you are not a competitive rider, then you just have to decide if the cosmetics of the frame after its components are attached suit your aesthetic sensibilities ....
If your current bike's stem is 100mm (
for example), then you would probably need to install a 70mm stem (
or, shorter due to the probably higher stem height) to achieve the
same fit ...
and, what amounts to being a DH stem on a Road bike may-or-may-not adversely affect the cosmetics enough to offend anyone's aesthetic sensibilities!
Really, your query begs the question:
WHY buy a frame that is possibly too large for you UNLESS you want to re-set the handlebars at a higher height ...
In
which case, I would suggest that if cannot raise the stem on your current bike because the steerer has already been cut to a particular length which precludes adding spacers, then get a hi-rise stem ... OR, simply buy a new fork which has an uncut steerer & install the appropriate number of spacers.
BUT, if you don't want to raise the stem (
after all, you say that your current bike is a "perfect fit") then 'I' think that you are just asking for disappointment if you opt for the specific Cannondale frame which is listed as being 3cm larger than your current frame.
Doesn't Cannondale make a frame which is the same size as your bike's current frame?
FWIW2. IMO, the only reason for you to buy the particular Cannondale is because an LBS is willing to sell you the frame & fork & headset for $100 (
and, no more due to its size) & you want to build up a second bike because you want a test bed with which to try a different component group OR if you are buying a ready-to-ride bike & it is NOS or less than 2 years old that it is
less than $500 and you want the components to move over to your Specialized frame ...
To re-enforce danfoz
's observation, I'm 175.25 cm (
5'9") tall, and I suspect that the particular 54cm Cannondale which you have been considering is the size I would (
also) opt for (
depending on its top tube length) if I were looking at a Cannondale as a replacement for any of my bikes.
