I generally ride twice a week on paved roads - about 15 kms each time.
2007-03-01 01:26:48 · 8 answers · asked by itponnana 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
You would probably hit your elbows with your knees. You'd be scrunched up. If you do try to buy a longer stem in an attempt to get it to fit, you'd throw off the weight balance that the bike designer intended with the geometry. The longer stem would increase the weight of your body over the front wheel.
Now it would be different if the new 52cm frame is a compact frame that's a 56cm equivalent in a non-sloping frame. If so, you'd be alright.
2007-03-01 12:54:39 · answer #1 · answered by Ben P 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Everyone has good advice here - that is, your positioning would be wrong on a 52cm, but I would add that it is important to get fitted for the specific bike you want. Each manufacturer has different sizing and different designs might fit you, well, differently.
In my current bike I ride a 59cm and I spent about 30 minutes at a bike shop getting "fitted" for the bike. They watched me ride my bike on a trainer and made adjustments to adapt to my torso, arms, legs and shoulders. In the end, they installed wider handlebars, a new stem and adjusted my shifters to accomodate a more comfortable position. Most bike shops should offer this service with a road bike, even a low end road bike, though you may have to pay if you didn't buy the bike from them.
I have ridden a 58cm, a 59cm and a 61cm across three different brands and each was the right size for me for that specific bike. That being said, a 52cm and a 58cm is a huge gap that would likely cause you pain.
2007-03-02 09:16:48 · answer #2 · answered by albini 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My last bike was technically too small for me - it was my first mountain bike, so I bought a completely rigid Cannondale (very light) with a smaller frame because I wanted it to have a BMX feel to it. It was a good bike for what I wanted, but later I ended up doing a lot of touring and long climbs on mountain roads with it - my body suffered for it. Knee and lower back pain... and for six or seven years I thought that pain was just part of riding!
Last summer I bought a bike that really fits. Trust me - buy a bike that fits!!!
2007-03-01 15:01:50 · answer #3 · answered by rambling vine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't fit, simple as that.
If your shoe size is 9, what happens if you stuff your feet into a size 8? Uncomfortable at best, you won't be able to walk very far (defeating the purpose of shoes), and in the long run can screw up your feet.
There is NO SUBSTITUTE for the correct frame size, no matter how good the "deal" might be. This is the heart of your bike, and has the biggest impact on your comfort, handling, safety and enjoyment of the sport.
Suck it up and get the correct size frame.
2007-03-01 01:33:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everybody's given good advise. You'll end up hurting body parts that will cause problems sooner or later.
While you can play with different stem sizes and different seatbost setbacks, they're for making just some detailed arrangements, not for a large difference in size.
2007-03-01 11:36:47 · answer #5 · answered by Roberto 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you could ride it, but it could lead to back/neck/shoulder or knee problems...
you have to compensate for the short frame by raising the stem/handlebars a bit high, and you seat post may not be long enough for the extra height needed...
you are better off riding the appropriate size for your own body... it will be safer, healthier, and more comfortable in the long run
2007-03-01 02:32:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't do it, itll lead to neck and/or back problems.
then again, its about comfort. if you feel comfortable throughout the ride, then perhaps your measurement/fitting wasn't really that good.
2007-03-01 04:31:54 · answer #7 · answered by borracho111 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knees, ankles, back, shoulders, neck.
2007-03-01 05:51:44 · answer #8 · answered by kins80 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋