Friend asked:
I bought a 56 Size Trek 1500 Race Alpha Aluminium (SLR) today. I measured Frame 54 has a 16" long "Handlebar", where as Frame 56 has 17" long handle bar. Is there any way to extend the handlebar go get more space to hold (For the Framme 54)? I need longer handllebar. Can it be extended to 17" atleast (one more inch)?
I bought a 56 Size Trek 1500 Race Alpha Aluminium (SLR) today. I measured Frame 54 has a 16" long "Handlebar", where as Frame 56 has 17" long handle bar. Is there any way to extend the handlebar go get more space to hold (For the Framme 54)? I need longer handllebar. Can it be extended to 17" atleast (one more inch)?
In addition, my height is 5"7" and I wear pant size 34" X 29". The shop lowered the seat all the way, still I can touch the ground with my tow only. Whether Frame size 56 is my right size or 54 instead? How to determine my bike size?
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You are NOT supposed to be able to touch the ground with your toes when you are sitting on the saddle. When coming to a stop, you have to hop forward off the saddle (straddle the top tube) to plant your feet on the ground.
The frame size of Treks are determined by the length of the seat tube (from the center of the bottom bracket to the top end of the seat tube).
You need a frame that has a top tube which will clear your crotch when you are standing with both feet flat on the ground, and with long enough a top tube to give you a comfortable horizontal fit.
Best go to a bike shop and ask them to custom-fit you.
Good luck!
Most bicycle frames are made, to fit people in different height ranges, based on average proportions. For this bike a “standard road bike frame” if you have fairly normal proportions, you can get a rough idea by measuring your inside leg measurement comparing it to the bikes stand over height. You usually want an inch of clearance or your eyes will water regularly. (working off overall height is less accurate)
If you have this right and you are of reasonably normal proportions then the frame should be the right size.
You should be on either the 52 or the 54 depending on your inside leg and torso length. Either of these should be ok, but one will be best. The only way to know for sure is to try them out. The reach to the handlebars will be the determining factor.
Getting the bike fitted to you is best done by someone who knows what they are doing. If you have never done it before the chances of making mistakes are too high. There are many things that can be tweaked that will improve your riding comfort. This is money well spent in my opinion.
If your new to road bikes you will find that the narrower handle bars are a bit “twitchy” but you will adjust to them. In your case the extra width will make the stretch to the handlebars that little bit longer.
If you are stuck with this bike I would suggest at least swapping your handlebar stem for one an inch or so shorter. This will make it a bit better, but still a long way from idea.
Getting the right sized bike via a fitting is the best option. Most bike shop fitters actually know what they are doing. I hope it wasn’t a bike shop that sold you the 56.
You’re not supposed to touch the ground when you’re sitting on the saddle.
If your bike is the right size for you, you should be able to stand over the top tube of your frame with a little bit of clearance in your crotch area ahen you get off your saddle.
If you are close you can make any bike fit with a few adjustments.
Contrary to the previous posters, stand over height is not a correct way to fit a bike. Go to wrenchscience.com and use their fit calculator. It will tell you how to measure everything and then you can plug those measurements in. Since you are 5’7″ you should be on the 54cm bike.
If I was you, I would go to a bike shop and pay to get correctly fitted to your bike.