Giant TCRc0 (large size) Frame/Bike size question

[Gerard]

Sorry -- This is a dumb beginners question. I bought the "large" size (from "All Star") but think now (having been "fitted" by Steve Levine at "Cycling Spoken Here") that I should have bought a "medium". If "large" applies to the "frame size", can I simply have everything switched over -- moved over -- to a "medium" frame size?

Gerard

[Gerard]

To be more precise, Steve said I was somewhere between a medium and a large -- so I'm thinking it might be better to work with a medium size rather than the large size.
What dimensions and/or angles change when increasing or decreasing frame size? How much? Thanks.

Gerard

[JayC]

How tall are you?

Unfortunately its not quite that easy and you could have 5 different people fit you and get 5 different answers. I just looked at the geometry for the L size of that bike and its bigger than anything Im riding right now and Im about 6 feet tall. Its bigger than my Fuji which is borderline to being too big for me.

The M is a HUGE downsize.. the M would be too small for me.

[Gerard]

6ft with shoes.

[Gerard]

So I guess I should keep what I have?

[JayC]

Well.... I think that bike is too big for you looking at the geometry. Do you know what size stem you have on there now?

A ML would probably be a closer fit, probably with a 100mm stem.

[Gerard]

Thought that it only came in S, M, L sizes. Steve changed the length of the stem (the part that joins the handlebar to the vertical post) to make it shorter and moved the brakes up a bit on the handlebars.
Yes, it is a TCR c0.

[JayC]

There is a M, a ML and a L. You could move everything to a different frameset. I dont know if you can buy the Giant frameset seperate or not but there are other quality frames out there you could to move your group over to. Fuji and Blue both sell their frames seperate and you could check with Dave at The Trek Store.. they had some 2006 bikes he was going to sell me a frame off of.

This is pretty sweet.. right size too but the auction ends in about 15 minutes so it would have to be a snap decision.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Giant-TCR-Composite-Frameset-2006-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ250103265430QQihZ015QQcategoryZ98084Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Gerard]

OK. Then I could look into switching to the ML size frame and see if that is possible. I should contact All Star first. Maybe they will do that for me.

[JayC]

Maybe but Id seriously evaluate the cost of staying with the Giant unless you just REALLY want the Giant. You could go with a Fuji, Blue or even an 06 Trek Madone and Ebay the Giant and probably not end up coming out too upside down.

If All Star will swap it, that would be awesome but I seriously doubt that happens.

[Gerard]

Of those you mentioned do you have a preference? Which do you consider the "best"?

Is $900.00 for the ML TCR on Ebay a good deal?

[JayC]

Depends on what you want it for. The Blue is my overall favorite bike but the Blue is more race oriented in it's geometry. You get a lot of frame for the money with Blue. My Fuji is quickly growing on me, though. It's not quite as aggressive as the Blue and seems better suited for "casual" riding.

There are SOOOOO many frame choices out there.. I mean, a lot of REALLY good frames that just no one has ever heard of. Leader makes a great carbon fiber frame which can be had for under $800 with fork, the Pedal Force RS can be had for under $1000 with fork.. that could be the deal of the century there. With the components off of your Giant and some light wheels, you could probably build a sub 16# bike with an RS frame.

If you want to stay name brand, I'd take a hard look at the Fuji. Head over to Performance and ride a Team RC or a Team Issue in a 56 and 58 and see what you think. The RC and Issue are the same frame, just different paint schemes. You can find '06 Fuji frames at REALLY good deals.

[Gerard]

Thanks. I will talk with you Wed. evening if you are at the ride.
Thanks for your help and the info.
Gerard

[Pugslyyy]

Gerard, the nice thing for you is you can buy a frame that is better for you, sell your current frame, and end up with money in your pocket.

Not a bad position to be in!

[TREKRALEIGH]

Gerard,
Giant is a hard fit because the sizing is S,M,L,XL. The world does not that way, if you fit a Giant, great for you buy it! Giant's fit idea is based on changing stem lenghts and moving the saddle forward and back, which if changed to long or to short can chance the ride of the bike. If you do change frame size at All Star, have the stem at least changed out as well. But most importantly, they should have fitted you to the bike before you bought it, you did pay for a service not just a bike. But remember your size may change with brand. Some one who is 6ft would be most like at 58cm frame, at least from Trek. However this will also depend on your body: flexablity, part medical history(IE: injuries), etc. Also as you ride more, your flexablity will change, so position on the bike may need to be changed as well. Fitting is not a one time thing. If you have questions, feel free to e-mail me or call. We are willing to help when we can, even if you didn't buy the bike from us. I will be the first to tell anymore, if I don't sell it and it fits you better, go there and buy it. Thank
Dave

[Gerard]

Dave:
Thank you for your response. Giant does have a ML (medium-large) size (57cm). The L (large) is 58.5cm. The M (medium) is 55.5cm. The top tube of the Giant TCR carbon bike is longer than the seat tube, making you stretch for the drop handles, brakes, etc. They (I believe) size their bikes using the top tube. Fuji (I have been told) size their bikes (Team RC) using the seat tube. Is this true? I am becoming very confused about which tube measurement is the size of the bike. Tried a Fuji Team RC (58cm.) and it felt better. The top tube measures less than the seat tube (58cm.). I also tried the Fuji Team RC (56cm.). Felt a little small. The guy at Performance I talked to is 6'4" and rides a 58cm. Another guy I talked to in Sanford is 5'10" and rides a 56cm. I am 5' 11 1/2".

[JayC]

Fuji has a general fit chart on their website. Its pretty general and should not be taken as the gospel but it will at least tell you if youre in the ballpark.

My Fuji is a 58 and while its on the large size for me, I'd rather have something a little too big than a little too small.

http://fujibikes.com/2007/pdf/fit_guide.pdf

[Gerard]

Thanks Jay. Had found the chart on the website. I am going to go back to Performance again and try them both again tomorrow. Eventually I will make up my mind! I want to feel "compact" and have it fit me like an expensive suit should fit. I want to feel comfortable using the drop bars and comfortable holding on to the top of the brakes (don't know the correct term to use -- the brake handle/grip) to climb hills. Also, I think that I have become so used to riding bikes that are a little too big for me that trying a bike that fits me "feels" small.

[RickF]

Height is not the only thing to consider when picking a frame size. I am 6' 0", but my inseam is only 30" and my sleeves are only 33". My nephew is 5' 7", but also has a 30" inseam. We are not going to fit the same way. Because I have short arms an legs an a long torso for my height, I would not fit on the same frame as someone the same height as me, but who had longer legs and arms and a shorter torso.

Also, as Dave mentioned, frame geometries are different from different manufacturers and different models within a manufacturer. When I bought my Specialized Roubaix, I spent about four hours being fitted. I tried the Specialized Allez, Sequoia, and Tarmac as well as the Felt F5C, Trek 5000, and Trek Madone, and Trek Pilot. The only ones that would fit me properly were the Specialized Roubaix and the Trek Pilot, and even with those, I needed a shorter stem than what came standard.

[Gerard]

Rick:
Understood. I think my proportions are pretty "normal". I take a 32 waist and 34 length trousers, a size 40 Regular jacket/suit, a 15 1/2 or 16 shirt, 34-35 sleeves. I think that is pretty "average" proportions.

[RickF]

Rick:
Understood. I think my proportions are pretty "normal". I take a 32 waist and 34 length trousers, a size 40 Regular jacket/suit, a 15 1/2 or 16 shirt, 34-35 sleeves. I think that is pretty "average" proportions.
That was my point. Although you and I are the same height, what is best for me is probably not what is best for you. I am 6'0" with 30" inseam, 32-33" sleeves, and take a 42 Long jacket.

[Dluck2]

I would recommend going over to Inside Out Sports and talking with Mike Beaman. He is a Pro Bike fitter, everyone else I've talked to raves about him. He really know his stuff (I'm not saying that other shops don't).