I'm planning to buy Ridley X-Trail A-40. I'm 180cm (5'11") with relatively short legs, 82cm (32"). So according to size chart from http://www.bike4race.pl/product-eng-877-Gravel-bicycle-RIDLEY-X-TRAIL-A40-color-XTA-01DM-Tiagra-.html my legs fits XS, but my height fits M size.
Which one should I pick, will S be fine? I can't try that bike before I buy it.
It's hard to say but I just can't imagine someone 5'11" being on a size S bike. But maybe. Some people like to size down the frame and use longer stems and set back posts to get the proper fit. I'm 6'2" with a 32" inseam and I ride size L (58) on most bikes though my CX bike was a 56 and it felt great. According to the Ridley site...you fall solidly in the range of a size M. I'd email Ridley and see if they'd give you an opinion.
Note that the Ridley size chart has errors. They have transposed the Top Tube Length, Horizontal (Effective Top Tube, ETT) with the Top Tube Length, Actual. The lengths as shown are geometrically impossible. I wrote an email to Ridley a while back and they admitted the error but still have not corrected it. Accordingly, use the Top Tube Length, Actual as the Effective Top Tube (ETT) length for sizing purposes.
In my opinion, the seat tube measurements mean little for bikes with a sloping top tubes. And especially compared to the old sizing method for bikes w/horizontal top tubes.
Also, I would suggest that you ignore the size designations of S, M, L, etc. In general, these are pretty meaningless as every manufacturer seems to do it differently. That said, the Ridley sizes do run very large - at least 1 size up to perhaps 2 sizes. I'm 5'8" and riding an XS even though I'm normally either a S or M from other manufacturers. I would recommend using ETT, stack and reach for frame sizing.
Based on my experience and your post, I would guess you are somewhere between a S & M. Some of the choice depends whether you like frames on the small are large size of the proper fit spectrum. A smaller frame will have the seat relatively higher so you will have more drop to the bars. And vice versa. If your inseam is short for you height then maybe a S w/a longer stem. Personally, I would measure the ETT, stack and reach of a frame that fits you and try to duplicate that as closely as possible.
In case it helps, I am 5'9" (175.25cm), inseam 30.5" and the 2016 Ridley X-Trail AL30 105 "Small" seems to fit me well. I had reservations until I tested the bike at Performance. I am wholly new to cycling, so I don't know much, but I know I love this bike!
creevay wrote:In case it helps, I am 5'9" (175.25cm), inseam 30.5" and the 2016 Ridley X-Trail AL30 105 "Small" seems to fit me well. I had reservations until I tested the bike at Performance. I am wholly new to cycling, so I don't know much, but I know I love this bike!
Thanks, it helps. So it looks like M will be good for me.
Gamec wrote:@Nubster: Yeah, I did contact them. All they said is to look at size charts :/.
@DrSpoke: You're riding XS X-Trail or different model?
Yes - I bought the CR1 from Performance Bicycles which is roughly identical to the C30. Great bike. Prior to ordering mine, I was able to test ride the Ridley Fenix model in both XS & S. They frame geometries of these two bikes are almost identical so that was a big help for me to make a choice. I probably could have ridden either size but decided to size down. In part, this was for a little extra standover height. But also I intend to use it for some road riding and wanted a little lower bar height too.
I just picked up one of these Sunday...I am 5'11 with a 32 inseam...I picked up a size medium...took it on a 30 mile ride today..the bike fits great...I think if I had went with a small I would have regretted it...
