Hey y'all ,I wanted to make a quick post about my sizing experience.
I am 181cm (5'11") with an 84cm (33") inseam. My saddle height from center of BB to top of saddle is 771mm. I'm 37 years old, lifelong cyclist, ultrarunner, and an ex bike mechanic.
A year ago I bought an SL 7 in M/L. I got a pro bike fit by a reputable fitter and was sized to a M/L with the long seatpost and a 110mm stem. Over the last year, I always struggled to get comfortable on the bike. It was fast, but it felt very short both in wheelbase and stack, at least for my height. it shows a setback post in the photo, but I was swapping between that and a straight one to test it out. I'm not a pro fitter, but I've been riding bikes and working in shops long enough to know when something feels right or not.
This year I got an SLR 7 and decided to size up to a Large (L). I over thought this decision for weeks. I read through every sizing post on this page and was very worried because there were a lot of people taller than me on the M/L. The geo numbers all looked good compared to other bikes I've owned, so I figured, what the hell?
Well, it turns out the large was the right call. Immediately, the bike feels more comfortable and in turn, faster as well. I'm using the short post and a 100mm stem. I couldn't be happier with my decision and honestly, looking at the two side by side, the fit proportions look much better on the L.
Part of me thinks that folks are married to the 56 or 58 numbers next to the size labels, and this drives their decision. In reality neither bike is really a true 56 or a 58 when compared to other brands. The sizing is pretty cool in that if you're on the line, you can go either way for a different riding style. I personally like fast longer rides, and the large feels better suited to that. If I were racing crits, I think the aggressive position on the M/L would be the move. I don't think my original fitter was wrong, I think they may have had some bias because they too are 5'11" and riding a M/L. I just wanted to toss out my experience.
I decided to make this post to hopefully help someone else who is stressing over this decision.
If you have any questions, I'm happy to help.
ps. Ignore the cross chaining, I always take pictures like this to piss off one of my buddies. it's a dumb inside joke.
by patplush