New Bike, feels odd.
Discussion
Been used to my e mountain bike for 1000km since March and as I am looking to do a try a tri next year and being impulsive I wanted a road bike. Locally there was no chance so had to be off the net.
I am 5ft 7 (inseam around 29 inch) and on the websites all size guides suggested the correct fit would be a 54. So I found the bike I liked in 54, it came in stock and a 2021 Specialised Allez size 54 arrived today.
Well chuffed with the look of it, stuck the pedals on and did all the require to be able to ride it and set off round the cul de sac. I feel like the bike felt small is the only way I can describe it, I tried cycling off the seat and felt very far forward almost unnatural, stuck it in my bike rack next to my e mountain bike and noticed it is a fair bit shorter.
I am now panicking my impulsiveness has lead to the wrong size bike. What do you think from my height etc.
I am hoping that the position my body in for the ride will feel natural as I put miles on it.
I am 5ft 7 (inseam around 29 inch) and on the websites all size guides suggested the correct fit would be a 54. So I found the bike I liked in 54, it came in stock and a 2021 Specialised Allez size 54 arrived today.
Well chuffed with the look of it, stuck the pedals on and did all the require to be able to ride it and set off round the cul de sac. I feel like the bike felt small is the only way I can describe it, I tried cycling off the seat and felt very far forward almost unnatural, stuck it in my bike rack next to my e mountain bike and noticed it is a fair bit shorter.
I am now panicking my impulsiveness has lead to the wrong size bike. What do you think from my height etc.
I am hoping that the position my body in for the ride will feel natural as I put miles on it.
Very basic fit guide, to get you started until you get a proper fit:
1. In proper cycling shoes, the centre of the ball of your foot should be centrally above the centre line of the pedal axle.
2a. When the pedals are at the horizontal position, the centre of your knee joint should be centrally above the centre line of the pedal axle, by adjusting the saddle fore and aft.
2b. When you sweep through the bottom of the pedalling stroke, your knee should be getting close to straight, but not quite. If your hips are rocking a lot side to side it the saddle is probably too high.
(When you move the saddle up and down, it changes where your knee is above the pedal, so it can be a bit fiddly to get those two right.)
3. Once they're done, you can mess about with headset spaces and stems to get the right feeling up front. I'd start with the stem as high as it goes to begin, and then lower as you get used to cycling a road bike.
It's very different to mountain bike, and the first time I climbed out of the saddle it all felt VERY wobbly. Looking back, the bars on that bike were super wide for what is normal now too!
Good luck, keep us up to date with progress, and feel free to ask a lot of questions, it's the best way to learn.
1. In proper cycling shoes, the centre of the ball of your foot should be centrally above the centre line of the pedal axle.
2a. When the pedals are at the horizontal position, the centre of your knee joint should be centrally above the centre line of the pedal axle, by adjusting the saddle fore and aft.
2b. When you sweep through the bottom of the pedalling stroke, your knee should be getting close to straight, but not quite. If your hips are rocking a lot side to side it the saddle is probably too high.
(When you move the saddle up and down, it changes where your knee is above the pedal, so it can be a bit fiddly to get those two right.)
3. Once they're done, you can mess about with headset spaces and stems to get the right feeling up front. I'd start with the stem as high as it goes to begin, and then lower as you get used to cycling a road bike.
It's very different to mountain bike, and the first time I climbed out of the saddle it all felt VERY wobbly. Looking back, the bars on that bike were super wide for what is normal now too!
Good luck, keep us up to date with progress, and feel free to ask a lot of questions, it's the best way to learn.
I've got a 54 specialised, the difference to 52 was quite small but to 56 quite large. am 5'7.
Put your mountain bike vs road into this and you can see quite easily where the differences come from. rach and stack are the most important. spacers under bars can adjust stack and a new stem can change reach.
https://geometrygeeks.bike/
I would also advocate a fit, before you buy a bike, but too late and 54 would be ballpark correct for you and agree the comments above, that measurements and geometry will vary significantly between manufacturers.
However, secondary to that, I ride my MTB and road bikes every week. After a recent 3wk period of riding the MTB only, I got back on my aero road bike again and it felt absolutely tiny, like ridiculously small, fast steering, weight forward etc.
I've been through an extensive fit and my bikes are dialled in and happy to spend 6hrs+ on any of them and more ....
Without wishing to patronise you at all, for me it was just a case that MTB's have wide bars, perhaps Q factor difference, geometry is more forward for your weight balance on the road bike, steeper head angle, thinner tyres etc. etc. and even while I spend hours on both, after 3wks it was an almost comical experience for the first 250m until it clicked again and off I went for 120kms.
My Parlee and Mason are 56cm frames, I'm 188 tall, my Niner is a large. So whilst they all fit me like a glove, the wheelbase is a lot longer on the MTB and whole package is a tanker by comparison to either of my road bikes.
If you've been on the MTB for a long time, it may be as much as a perception/familiarity/long time since last road bike ride etc.
I note you didn't highlight that it caused you any discomfort or pain, perhaps as it was just round the cul de sac though
Summary, don't panic yet, find an easy 10mile loop and see how it goes.
However, secondary to that, I ride my MTB and road bikes every week. After a recent 3wk period of riding the MTB only, I got back on my aero road bike again and it felt absolutely tiny, like ridiculously small, fast steering, weight forward etc.
I've been through an extensive fit and my bikes are dialled in and happy to spend 6hrs+ on any of them and more ....
Without wishing to patronise you at all, for me it was just a case that MTB's have wide bars, perhaps Q factor difference, geometry is more forward for your weight balance on the road bike, steeper head angle, thinner tyres etc. etc. and even while I spend hours on both, after 3wks it was an almost comical experience for the first 250m until it clicked again and off I went for 120kms.
My Parlee and Mason are 56cm frames, I'm 188 tall, my Niner is a large. So whilst they all fit me like a glove, the wheelbase is a lot longer on the MTB and whole package is a tanker by comparison to either of my road bikes.
If you've been on the MTB for a long time, it may be as much as a perception/familiarity/long time since last road bike ride etc.
I note you didn't highlight that it caused you any discomfort or pain, perhaps as it was just round the cul de sac though
Summary, don't panic yet, find an easy 10mile loop and see how it goes.
Thanks again all.
I guess my e mountain bike is so comfortable and effortless to ride and I have never ridden a road bike before it felt small, skittish and narrow and I was worried more so over size than the ride as I will get used to the ride.
So I now understand i should have got fitted prior to purchase but is a post purchase fitting worth it then.
I guess my e mountain bike is so comfortable and effortless to ride and I have never ridden a road bike before it felt small, skittish and narrow and I was worried more so over size than the ride as I will get used to the ride.
So I now understand i should have got fitted prior to purchase but is a post purchase fitting worth it then.
I have a 56 2020 Allez and a 56 2020 Tarmac. The Allez feels smaller than the Tarmac. Tarmac was my 2nd road bike and I almost went 58 because of how the Allez felt. Just feels a bit dumpy although not uncomfortable. Very maneuverable and responsibe bike in comparison to the Tarmac.
I'm 6 foot. Tarmac fits me very well
I'm 6 foot. Tarmac fits me very well
I mean you're 97% there. There's not too much to add. It'd help if you were in cycling shoes but maybe your arms are a bit straight so you could push your saddle fwd on the 2 rails about 1 cm. Most bikes come with saddles waaaay too far back so be bold and try it on a light 20 min ride.
Best thing about bikes us if you don't like the position you can revert it in 2 mins with an allen key! It's a no lose situation to try some adjustments. Just do 1 at a time and be systematic about it
Best thing about bikes us if you don't like the position you can revert it in 2 mins with an allen key! It's a no lose situation to try some adjustments. Just do 1 at a time and be systematic about it
Thisonepotato said:
Been used to my e mountain bike for 1000km since March and as I am looking to do a try a tri next year and being impulsive I wanted a road bike. Locally there was no chance so had to be off the net.
I am 5ft 7 (inseam around 29 inch) and on the websites all size guides suggested the correct fit would be a 54. So I found the bike I liked in 54, it came in stock and a 2021 Specialised Allez size 54 arrived today.
Well chuffed with the look of it, stuck the pedals on and did all the require to be able to ride it and set off round the cul de sac. I feel like the bike felt small is the only way I can describe it, I tried cycling off the seat and felt very far forward almost unnatural, stuck it in my bike rack next to my e mountain bike and noticed it is a fair bit shorter.
I am now panicking my impulsiveness has lead to the wrong size bike. What do you think from my height etc.
I am hoping that the position my body in for the ride will feel natural as I put miles on it.
Matey loves his e mtb. I am 5ft 7 (inseam around 29 inch) and on the websites all size guides suggested the correct fit would be a 54. So I found the bike I liked in 54, it came in stock and a 2021 Specialised Allez size 54 arrived today.
Well chuffed with the look of it, stuck the pedals on and did all the require to be able to ride it and set off round the cul de sac. I feel like the bike felt small is the only way I can describe it, I tried cycling off the seat and felt very far forward almost unnatural, stuck it in my bike rack next to my e mountain bike and noticed it is a fair bit shorter.
I am now panicking my impulsiveness has lead to the wrong size bike. What do you think from my height etc.
I am hoping that the position my body in for the ride will feel natural as I put miles on it.
He says whenever he rides anything non powered now it feels 'wrong'
Van Dessel said:
I mean you're 97% there. There's not too much to add. It'd help if you were in cycling shoes but maybe your arms are a bit straight so you could push your saddle fwd on the 2 rails about 1 cm. Most bikes come with saddles waaaay too far back so be bold and try it on a light 20 min ride.
Best thing about bikes us if you don't like the position you can revert it in 2 mins with an allen key! It's a no lose situation to try some adjustments. Just do 1 at a time and be systematic about it
Brilliant, some decent pedals and shoes will be purchased this weekend. Best thing about bikes us if you don't like the position you can revert it in 2 mins with an allen key! It's a no lose situation to try some adjustments. Just do 1 at a time and be systematic about it
Thisonepotato said:
Van Dessel said:
I mean you're 97% there. There's not too much to add. It'd help if you were in cycling shoes but maybe your arms are a bit straight so you could push your saddle fwd on the 2 rails about 1 cm. Most bikes come with saddles waaaay too far back so be bold and try it on a light 20 min ride.
Best thing about bikes us if you don't like the position you can revert it in 2 mins with an allen key! It's a no lose situation to try some adjustments. Just do 1 at a time and be systematic about it
Brilliant, some decent pedals and shoes will be purchased this weekend. Best thing about bikes us if you don't like the position you can revert it in 2 mins with an allen key! It's a no lose situation to try some adjustments. Just do 1 at a time and be systematic about it
Thisonepotato said:
Saddle looks a bit too high to me- your knee looks almost locked out and your foot is point downwards. IIRC your knee should be making a 140-145 degree angle at the bottom of the pedal stroke and you don't want to be making your hips rock from side to side. Depends on pedals and shoes though 
Edited by lufbramatt on Friday 27th August 11:41
Yep, I think the saddle needs to go forward 15-20mm. This will push the saddle higher - so probably lower that by a similar amount. Do also make sure the saddle is absolulely level. I imagine you've currently got a lot of weight over your arms and little over your pelvis. You should be able to move tops to drops without holding the bars in between.
No concerns regarding the fence.
No concerns regarding the fence.
jrb43 said:
Yep, I think the saddle needs to go forward 15-20mm. This will push the saddle higher - so probably lower that by a similar amount. Do also make sure the saddle is absolulely level. I imagine you've currently got a lot of weight over your arms and little over your pelvis. You should be able to move tops to drops without holding the bars in between.
No concerns regarding the fence.
Not really, it actually reduces the distance to the BB axle which is a std measuring point. When I was working with clients you’d sometimes raise the saddle a bit as you slid it forward. No concerns regarding the fence.
Btw moving a saddle fwd 2 cm in 1 go is pretty drastic but can be done in 2 stages. Of course, fitters want repeat business so are prone to encouraging clients to try things in small steps and come back for another consult :-D
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