I am purchasing a new gravel bike. Need help with the sizing/sizing advice. My choices are Diamondback haanjo tero (aluminum frame) or a GT Grade aluminum frame. Not sure on what size I need. There are no Diamondback or Gt shops near me, do it will be an online purchase. I am 5'10" with a 30" inseam. I was sized years ago by a shop for a road bike and they put me on a 56cm bike.My choices are Diamondback 53 or 56. Gt grade 55 or 56 or possibly a Fuji Thread 54 or 56. My choices online are performance bike , Nashbar, or REI. Just wondering what size bikes you guys/gals ride for your size. By the way my budget is $750.00 max. Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks
I got a 2016, size 56, Haanjo Trail. THe stand over is pretty high on this bike. I'm a 6.0 so it fits ok, but it has a really high head tube. At 5'10" I would be leaning towars a smaller size. No matter what, top tube length is going to be the most important thing on fitting a bike.
Thanks, I didn't take into account the standover height. Road bikes have very little top tube clearance. I plan to use the bike on dirt roads and trails I am leaning toward a 53 size bike.
In the old days, when frame geometry was fairly standard, you could guess your frame size by comparing your in-seam (MEASURED FROM CROTCH TO FLOOR-BARE FEET 6" APART). Nowadays with compact frame designs - sloping top tubes, purpose built geometries, longer seat posts to compensate for sloping top tubes etc, the best hint for fit will be the "effective top tube length". If your in-seam measurement is correct (see above) and height are correct, then you have relatively short legs and longer torso. That means that your upper body fits Haanjo "Large" or 56cm frame, while your lower body fit a "Medium" or 54cm frame. In that case, I would agree with others who suggest the 54. You'll end up with a more upright position on the bike. You can always swap out to a longer stem, if this is a problem. Do contact Diamondback customer support on their website chat for more advice. They are very good. BTW, I've seen some very good deals, close to your budget on the Haanjo Comp. Do shop around-- the Comp is an excellent bike at a very reasonable price for what you get.
I got the Haanjo (flat bar version, but now switched to drops) a month ago, so I might be able to help you here.
I'm also 5'10", with an inseam somewhere around 30-31 inches. The top tube on my 53cm Haanjo is so high that I'm nearly in contact with it when straddling the bike in bike shorts. The seat is barely raised above the top tube for my proper pedal reach, too. I have the original 90mm stem and recently put on cowbells which probably have slightly shorter reach than the original bars, and it feels pretty good with the stem dropped as low as it can go. It will depend on your arms and torso, though.
If you look at the Geometry chart, the 53 is really like a 54 from most manufacturers.
Great information. I contacted Diamond Back customer service for sizing info. Based on my 30" inseam, they suggested a size 53. Not sure on GT though. Keep the suggestions coming. All good info. Thanks
I'm close to your dimensions (5'10, 31.5" inseam) and I used to ride a 56 GT Grade. It fit okay, but it seemed pretty big for a 56. I didn't have much seat post showing, and the headtube was really tall, so if you like your bars a little lower than your saddle, you might have issues. Mine also came with a stem that measured 130, which seems huge. I switched to a 110, which was still too long, then settled on a 90 stem. The store I bought it from didn't have any 55cm frames when I got mine, but I was able to sit on a 55cm last fall, and it felt much better. I would opt for the 55 if I were you, but if you have chance to try out both sizes, that would be best.
brantonion - I also appreciate your feedback on the Haanjo sizing. I'm interested in the new carbon builds, and thinking I would be a 53 (M) or 56 (L). Based on your experience, it sounds like I should go with a 53 as well. How does this bike handle on the pavement? I kind of want a carbon endurance bike, but I'd still like the option to run big tires, and the Haanjo looks like a good choice. I also am able to get the corporate pricing from my work, which makes this bike even more attractive.
This may stretch your budget, but Amazon has the 2016 Haanjo Comp. in a 53 for $899 with free shipping on Amazon Prime. By comparison, I paid $1,300 in April for a 56. It did come as a "ready ride" which is worth something -- but not $400. Keep shopping - you may be able to find a better deal. Even at $1300 -- this was a bargain bike and more than up to some serious dirt and gravel I've been riding this summer.
Tried the GT Grade in M (55), which suited me fine. However, I ended up with a second hand bike in L (56). Swapped the original stem to an 100mm Ritchey and now I'm quite comfortable.
With a 30" inseam I would have gone no larger than M.
I am 5'9" with 30" inseam and I own BOTH bikes: the Grade (carbon) in 55 and Haanjo in 53. Stack/reach for these bikes in these sizes is virtually identical. I run 110mm stems for both (although flipped on Haanjo for a more upright position). Note that with 40mm tires the stand over on the Haanjo is at the limit (of height) for me. If you are looking at both of these bikes in aluminum I would pick the Haanjo without a doubt due to better tire clearance. I use fenders in the haanjo and still able to fit 35s.
rocthrower wrote:brantonion - I also appreciate your feedback on the Haanjo sizing. I'm interested in the new carbon builds, and thinking I would be a 53 (M) or 56 (L). Based on your experience, it sounds like I should go with a 53 as well. How does this bike handle on the pavement? I kind of want a carbon endurance bike, but I'd still like the option to run big tires, and the Haanjo looks like a good choice. I also am able to get the corporate pricing from my work, which makes this bike even more attractive.
I've loved my time with the Haanjo so far. I mostly ride on-road, with 32c continental gatorskins, and it is a really solid, smooth ride. I like how stable it feels with the slack geometry, even compared to my old road bike, a cannondale synapse. I don't know what your budget is like, but the deal for the comp on amazon that bobknh mentioned sounds pretty sweet. I probably would have gone with that instead of getting the flat bar and swapping out to drops (though I admittedly still came out with bit less cost)! Competive cyclist also has the Trail with full hydraulic brakes and Ultegra for 1,299.
Good info, brantonion! I still have my heart set on the carbon frames, but I'm glad to hear this has worked out well for you on pavement. I saw the Trail that CC has in person recently, and it looks much better than the pictures I've seen online.
I got the Haanjo (flat bar version, but now switched to drops) a month ago, so I might be able to help you here.
I'm also 5'10", with an inseam somewhere around 30-31 inches. The top tube on my 53cm Haanjo is so high that I'm nearly in contact with it when straddling the bike in bike shorts. The seat is barely raised above the top tube for my proper pedal reach, too. I have the original 90mm stem and recently put on cowbells which probably have slightly shorter reach than the original bars, and it feels pretty good with the stem dropped as low as it can go. It will depend on your arms and torso, though.
If you look at the Geometry chart, the 53 is really like a 54 from most manufacturers.
That's really weird; my wife has the Haanjo Comp in 53cm, and she is 5'7". Her legs are pretty long for her height, but I'm still surprised a 53cm fits a 5'10" person well.
![[HCftTjy]](http://i.imgur.com/HCftTjy.jpg)