Is my new bike too small? I went to the bike shop this morning and the guy I always take my bikes to says my new bike is one size too small. I only went on a ride last night and to me, it felt great, with the only exception being when I get off the saddle and go uphill, I can hit the bars at the right circumstance. like I’m not hitting the bars every time, but I can just barely graze it at the right circumstance. I figured that my reach was a little too small, and that I could look into my options.
I went by what Canyon said on my sizing (171.45 cm, 5’8) (80cm, 31.5") and they recommended a size XS.
From what I’ve read by others it was recommended that if you were in between sizes, to still size down as Canyons run big. He noted that my seat was too high, and that if I stood on my cleats on the ground, and my crotch on top of the frame, I should have about an inch from touching it. I measured and from the middle of the frame to my crotch while standing on the ground I had about 2.5 inches.
Does anyone have similar sizing to me? What did you feel about the ultimates sizing?
by AmphetamineHD
17 Comments
171 on an XS seems small, also hitting the bars is obviously an issue.
Shorter cranks, longer stem and moving the saddle back might help. It looks small, but I agree smaller is better than too large. (I am 185 and have an Emonda in 58, had to shorten reach my a total of 4,5cm till I was comfortable because trek handlebars are 3cm longer than standard 7/7,5cm)
Yea looks small on you.
I’m 5’8” and have been riding an XS Ultimate for 6 years now…
Sounds like bike shop guy is trying to sell you a new bike😅
It doesn’t matter it’s all about how you feel in the bike I’m the same size as you and feel miserable in a small the medium is the best for my feeling.
If you get a stem that is 2-3 cm longer, it would probably solve the bars issue, but you’d need to buy and install a new stem. Also is your leg fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke? Seatpost could just be smidge high.
Im at 170 and I ride XS. You seem taller than 171 if you have the seat higher up like that. Mine is at “3”. You seem like a 5’9 ish.
Not sure if small or you’ve removed spacers which wouldn’t make sense if you’re on the higher end of the XS
When I plug in your measurement in Canyon site for an Ultimate, it says size S.
https://preview.redd.it/0kurh2d0rbhd1.png?width=771&format=png&auto=webp&s=36d2081abc26ff037300e022df4365cbfff0e394
Bike shop is shit. You look pro on that bike.
Your leg looks good, and your back a little high, but the important thing is the sensation you perceive when pedaling long distances.
This “canyon runs big” is nonsense. They just have a different labelling system compared to other manufacturers. If the size chart says you are size S for example, you don’t just get an XS because of hearsay. Having said that you should take the smaller size if you are exactly in between. Given the chart posted by another reader, you’re in the block of size S.
Technically they’re not wrong. With a larger bike you don’t have to do as much to make it fit you.
That said, you can extend your stem to solve for the knee thing or risers as others have stated but it depends on what you’re going for. Comfort or aero?
When you put in a hard effort do you feel like you’re pushing your handlebars away or hand pain? If yes then stem might be best option as it will allow you to put the power down without destroying your knees.
I don’t think canyon runs small at all. Canyon Large for me is “smaller” than a Trek Domane 58 and my Cannondale 58 was far larger than my L Canyon.
It’s also normal to make adjustments with a new bike. If you can make simple adjustments like stack height, seat position etc and fix it, that’s great. If not, it’s probably the wrong size.
Good luck though, shit feeling to not have it be perfect!
I think you should be on a small. I believe you’re just over the threshold.
Sure you could buy a 100mm stem to stretch out a bit.
A real bike shop would recommend you get a longer stem, increase the aft of your saddle if necessary after putting on the stem, and then make sure you’ve also slammed your stem, then I can tell you 100% this bike will give you a better fit.
172cm tall, 30″ inseam, I ride an Aeroad S. While I did refer to their size chart, I also looked at their geometry and I ride a 54cm frame normally which corresponds to the top tube length.
It does seem the bike is a bit small for you given your inseam and your legs hitting the handlebars.
Id say youre too big for the bike, but maybe youd like to man handle the bike, medium maybe too much for you. That being said, depends how hard you ride. If you do 100 km alot and you feel youre touching the bars woth your knees or youre too bent over, thats a sign. Also if youre at the max seat post and spacers on your bars etc thats bad