I was fit on a bike and size 54 from the chart below was the suggested geometry if the frame. This is a high stack and short reach due to hip impingement I need this setup. I was looking at a Seven bike but that’s way out of my price range. I haven’t been able to find other bikes that are available in most local stores. Some of the small Indy brands can offer frames that fit the bill but it’s harder with local stores. A Grevil by pinnarelo and a cutthroat by salsa was suggested. I wonder if anyone has solved a similar dilemma and what you went with. Most of riding will be on road with some trails.
by bambambud
3 Comments
You can get much of the way there with a stem with a high angle, like +17 degrees. Stems are very inexpensive. Basic steps:
– Start with a gravel bike that’s reasonably upright. The specialized diverge comes to mind but others will fit the bill too. Ideally pick a bike that uses a standard stem and handlebar rather than an integrated “barstem” which is less flexible.
– Play around with different stem options using a calculator like this to get the stack and reach where you need. http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php
– The last piece is spacers. Manufacturers annoyingly don’t publish the spacer stack, but you can ask around. Safe to assume they add another 30mm on top of the geometry chart.
I’ll add that your fitter should be able to help you with this.
Other than being more upright and a gravel bike, what properties and features do you want? Big tires, mount points, light, or anything? What budget are you working with? Are you willing to build one up?
With the +25 fitted, the Argon18 Krypton/Pro should be able to achieve a similar front end fit to the stack and reach of that 54cm (look at the geo chart). Takes a 700×40 and has a shorter wheelbase+chainstay, making it more zippy for road.
Their Dark Matter model is similar possible fit, and takes a 45mm/+.
Cutty carbon, as you mentioned, but that frame is getting out there toward the slower/cruisy ride feel due to the big wheelbase. Takes a 29×2.4/2.6?
In carbon, those are your best three options for such a fit without going down the stem/+ riser-bar route.