I’m in the market for a Specialized Crux Expert or Comp (maybe a Pro if I can sell some stuff). I’m 39yrs, 6’ 2” (188 cm) and 185 lbs (84kg). I have long legs (35.25in/90cm inseam), long arms, but a short torso. This generally makes me in between sizes of things like clothes and bikes.
I ride about 70% road/mellow gravel and 30% rougher terrain. I currently ride a 2015 61cm Bianchi Impuslo and an XL Surly Orge. The Bianchi’s size and reach feel slightly aggressive to me and can occasionally cause neck and shoulder discomfort even after fits/stem swaps, but I’ve gotten used to it over the years and make it work. My Ogre is a perfect fit.
My cycling fitness is decent (at least 150 miles/month and more when time allows), and I have moderate flexibility. I occasionally ride with a fast-paced group, but definitely don’t race and am coming to terms with my aging body’s desire to focus less on speed and to find a nice balance between endurance, performance and comfort in longer weekend country rides.
I tested out a 61cm Crux DSW (pictured) at my LBS (they don’t have any other Cruxes in 58cm or 61cm). The bike shop salesperson did look at my bike fit numbers that I brought from a previous fit and adjusted the saddle height accordingly. I rode the 61cm around and wasn’t uncomfortable on it for the 5 mins I tested it, but I would describe the experience as “robust”, as in I felt stable, confident, but slightly more attuned the fact that I was handling a decent sized bike. Again, it didn’t feel “jumbo” and I was relatively comfortable, but I kept wondering what a size down might feel like. They did have a 58cm Diverge, which I also tested, but that bike felt so different that I don’t think there’s any way to hold that as a fair size comparison with the Crux (it felt a little squat and twitchy to me and I didn’t feel as confident in my handling of it).
The Specialized website recommends I get a 58cm based on my height and shin length. The bike shop told me that I “looked good” on the bike with my reach, saddle height, etc, but I also know that he was trying to sell me a bike.
Regardless, I will be ordering the Crux as it wasn’t in stock at the shop and I will be able to choose between 58cm or 61cm. When I look at where the saddle height was in the 61cm I tested, it does look pretty high already. I’m worried that if I went with the 58cm, I’d be jacked up even more and I’d be fiddling with stem length and other tweaks etc, but maybe that would be okay. However, I always hear that “you can make a bike ‘bigger’ but not ‘smaller’, and I want this to be a “forever” bike, so I’m desperate to get the size right. I don’t want to regret getting a bigger bike that may cause shoulder/neck discomfort with reach as I get older with less flexibility. What are your thoughts?
by SpacedEcho
24 Comments
Specialized does a good job with their fitting in my experience. I bought a carbon diverge last year and was in the same boat- couldn’t afford to get it wrong. Fitting said 58cm and I considered going a size smaller because I thought it felt better, but I went with the recommended size and it turned out perfectly. I would’ve ended up regretting getting the smaller bike
I’m in between a 56 and a 58 technically. Anytime I ride a 58 it feels terrible, even though it doesn’t look too bad on paper. So, I would say you probably wouldn’t regret it.
Also, Matej Mahoric won Gravel Worlds on like an S frame and he’s 6’1, so don’t overthink it.
Typically people with long legs/shorter torso do better on the smaller of the two sizes. Without seeing you on the bike, I don’t know how you’ll handle the shorter stack of a 58, but you should feel a lot better as far as the reach goes.
If the shop has a retul fitter, utilize that person and experience! You also may be able to sit on a 58cm bike in the shop that they can duplicate the stack/reach on if they don’t offer retul fits or something similar.
Looks like the stack is 23mm higher on the 61 and the reach is 10mm longer. If you want a lower more aggressive feel a 58 will be fine and you can extend the reach with a 10mm longer stem. FWIW, I am the same height with slightly shorter legs and I ride a 58 tarmac.
I’m 6’4” and ride a 58cm crux and a 58cm aethos. I really like it and wouldn’t want a 61 on either bike. I have had a 61cm tarmac sl6 before and that bike fit well so I’d say as a little shorter person the 58 is the right call.
I too rode an Impulso for some time (it was a 2013 maybe?) before switching to a Tarmac, and a Crux. A few points that hopefully help you come to the best option for you.
-The Impulso is NOT an aggressive bike. However, I couldn’t run wide tires on it, and my back often hurt after an hour or so.
-The Tarmac is WAY more aggressive, and also way more comfortable. Tarmac is a 54 cm, 2019, so right before they came out with the SL7.
-Crux is also a 54, but feels much bigger due to the higher bb.
I’m 5’10” ish, 32″ inseam.
I considered a 52 Crux, but without riding one, I’m certain it would have made the top tube way to short for me.
Specialized fit calculator (which I’ve tried after buying the bikes I have) has always been surprisingly accurate. If you can test ride both a 58 and a 61, pick the one that feels better. Sounds like the 58 makes more sense?
If there is something I learned about frames is to always size down, it’s almost true even if you’re not in-between sizes
I’m a smidge taller than you. I ended up buying a Roubaix 58, but I almost bought a crux and, honestly, I liked the 56 better.
That being said, I have longer legs and a shorter torso.
Your seat post is going to be sooo high. An the Crux has already on the top bike feel (high).You could offset the Size 61 with a shorter stem an move you seat forward a bit.
I’m very similar to you, body wise, I am 6’4 with a 36″ inseam, I sized down for this exact reason. Reaches were too long and my hip flexors and back weren’t having it, I’ll be going with a 58cm bike for the new one I’ll be picking up from a small brand near where I live
The generalities of different sized bikes (so YMMV):
Choose a bigger frame if you:
– Are ok with potentiallly needing a short stem
– Want to avoid high stack (lots of spacers, upturned stem, riser bars)
– prioritize stability over quickness in handling
– resale doesn’t matter (big bikes are harder to sell)
Choose the smaller frame if you:
– want to avoid a short stem
– don’t mind potentially running max spacer stack, up angled stem, and/or riser bars
– prioritize quickness over stability in handling
– resale matters a little (58 can still be hard to sell but would likely be easier than a 61)
What are the stack and reach of each frame? That will give you apples to apples comparison on how each is different in terms of length (reach) and handlebar height (stack) if all else is equal. Typically I’ve seen more stack difference than reach difference at these sizes (I ride a 58 so often look at both sizes). Stack might increase 2 cm but reach less than 1 (idk about your bike though).
I would plan in either case on needing to adjust stem (maybe a new one) to get it to fit well. Gravel bikes typically run higher/shorter than road bikes but CX bikes might be close to road.
I’ve ridden both a 56 and a 54, and sizing down was the best decision I’ve made. Feels snappy, and the reach is manageable, so not super stretched out. Love sizing down, even though conventional wisdom would have me on a 56, just my experience! It’s a dope bike
I am 179cm with 82.5cm inseam and I fit quite nice on 56cm (first gravel/ road bike) – but I like my bike quite large (I have a S4 Levo SL). I may consider a shorter stem and/ or zero offset seatpost (will gain 4cm of reach)
I’m 6′ and on a 56 crux. I wish i bought a 54
I’m 183 cm 6ft. I ride 57 cm Bianchi bikes but recently bought a Scott gravel bike in a 56 and it feels much better. Think I’ve been on too big a bike all these years. On the 56 I feel I can really sustain the power for far longer and more comfortably.
It might be the gravel geometry though I suppose.
Wait for the 58, it’s always safe to have a bike that slight smaller for you than one that’s too big.
You can always extend the stems and seatpost offset.
6’ here and inbetween a 56 and 58. I sized down to 56 and have zero complaints.
I’m 6’2” and have a 58 Crux and Aethos and they fit like a glove.
I’m having the same issue — 6’4 35” inseam… longer legs and shorter torso. I could run a 100mm stem -6 degree stem and ride the 61, or I could run a 110mm stem +6 degree stem with riser bar, and run a 58. The 58 would look a little silly with all of that stack correction, but I worry a 100mm stem on the 61 might make it slightly twitchy. Not sure what to do
Honestly, if youre spending any sum of money its worth getting a fit. Its cheaper to get a fit and the right bike than not get a fit, get the wrong bike and either pay for it in injuries or another bike. At a minimum learning how to read geo charts and comparing previous bikes that you have been comfortable on.
i’m 6’1 and typically ride 56/57cm frames with 120-130mm stems. so I’d say that a 58cm at your height would be ideal. Snappy enough while still not requiring more flexibility than you may have on offer. a 110-120 stem would probably suit as well.
lol seeing folks here 6’4″ with a 35 inseam saying they have long legs xD
So… I’m 6’0 and I have a 36″ inseam xD
I ride a 58 Diverge e5 comp 2022 because that’s the size the calculator put me on with 17.5″ shin bone length. Plus the 58″ was in the sexy colour I wanted.
Always been curious for the snappiness and lighter smaller frame but dread the possibility of any toe overlap, with the long techy climbs I would die.
Never ever had any problems with mine, works well for long gravel rides and looks like there’s a good amount of seatpost sticking out still.
Defo testing a 56 next time more rigorously though.
I sit smack bang inbetween sizes usually. If I ever buy small frames I nearly always regret it, I’ve now learnt to never buy the small frame and get it in medium. Usually means a smaller stem, but I’m far happier