Is it that bad if the bike I operates is a slightly smaller size than is recommended for my height? Like the frame size is 1 or 2 cm smaller than should be? Will it make me exert more energy if it's slightly smaller?
2007-02-03 01:22:50 · 5 answers · asked by Triathlete88 4 in Sports ➔ Cycling
It depends on how you figure it's too small for you.
If you just go because the manufacturer says that your bike and frame is for someone 175 cm tall, and you're 177 or so, or some other.
The deal is, those are just ballpark figures. Our body proportions is not the same. So you might have a taller torso or longer legs than another rider of the same height.
It's important that the distance from your saddle to your cranks is the right one, where you can almost stretch your legs, but don't lock them when they're on the lowest point. Also, you must not feel cramped or too stretched out. Sometimes you can compensate this with a longer or shorter stem. And it depends on what you want to ride, if you do road riding, or XC race riding, probably a more stretched stance will be better, but for trail riding or freeriding, you want a more upright position.
Also, depending on what you want to do, you might want a smaller or larger bike.
I doubt that you should worry about the frame being 1 or 2 cm smaller, I think you could compensate with a right saddle position and the right stem. Go to a bike shop and have them help you out with this.
2007-02-03 02:06:27 · answer #1 · answered by Roberto 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The biggest advantage of riding a slightly smaller bike is a nominal amount of weight savings in the frame department. You gain some weight back in the added stem length. You will not get the frame builder's intended bike handling as the weight distribution and the added stem length is not quite what was designed into the frame. The differences are subtle at best though so you could probably get away with it. Also, you may have to adjust the saddle up and back on its rails.
2007-02-03 17:31:13 · answer #2 · answered by Ben P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't be that big of a deal unless your riding every day, hardcore. The big thing is to have your seat high enough so you have a slight bend in the knee when your foot is on the pedal at the lowest point of the crank rotation. This will prevent hyperextending your knees.
Secondly, make sure your stem length(the thing that holds the handlebars) gives you enough room so you're not too stretched out or cramped in when riding.You want to be comfortable.
Will it make you exert more energy? Depends on a lot of factors. Height, weight, conditioning of the rider. Geometry, weight, components of the bike. If these start becoming serious considerations do some research and get a bike that will fit you perfectly and of decent quality.
2007-02-03 09:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by guy o 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A small difference like that shouldn't be too much of a problem. If you raise the seat up, that should compensate for the smaller frame.
2007-02-03 16:46:34 · answer #4 · answered by crazydave 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, but it will assault your prostate and cause numb testicles.
2007-02-03 09:25:46 · answer #5 · answered by TheseUnitedStates 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋