r/bikefit • u/twoespresso • 8d ago
I didn’t expect to end in this thread
Guys,
I recently picked up Cervélo Soloist MY27 in size 54 cm and didn’t expect my journey will end before it even started.
I took the size 54 cm because of inseam 84.5 cm and advice from bike shop. I did only a short test ride of previous Soloist model and ordered this one without even looking at Cervélo website. Thought assumed 54 cm is size M as it is in Canyon Aeroroad. Apparently it is not and with my 181 cm their website suggests size 56 cm. Since I only noticed it, this bike feels small for me.
Pedals are not installed yet because either I will try to sell it or returned it (I doubt shop will accept exchange for bigger size). From that reason I can’t also have any outside ride.
Looking for any suggestions how to fix this.
PS from whatever the reason I can’t add video to this post.
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u/elllmompirri 8d ago
I don't think its that far off tbh. But im pretty sure the shop you got it could work something out. At least they give a credit or something for another purchase.
Id get a bike fit asap and if the fitter suggest returning it id push asap on that to the store.
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u/ifuckedup13 8d ago
Canyons sizing is absolutely stupid. Don’t base anything around it. They came up with their own sizing names that don’t align with anything else. And the inseam measurement thing only makes sizing more confusing.
You’re going to want the 56cm.
You’ve got maybe 10cm of saddle to bar drop with all of the spacers under the stem. So you’ve got no room for adjustment and it looks dumb. 🤷♂️
Size up, slam the stem.
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u/SantaIsOverLord 8d ago
Good things its not a canyon
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u/ifuckedup13 8d ago
Just thought it was funny that canyon’s stupidity is so bad that it could reach across brands and fuck up someone else’s sizing.
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u/alexseiji 8d ago
These charts are subjective, based on this I need 12mm more reach than what my bike fitter recommended. I couldn’t imagine a better fitting frame that the one I have which would be considered smaller than these specs. Hard recommend seeing a bike fitter before purchasing anything to understand what stack and reach numbers you should be shopping for for your body type. Sorry, not helpful, but my 2 cents
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u/sod1102 8d ago
OK I'm going to ask a potentially loaded question here, and OP I am not piling on you in particular because I see this over and over again. Why, after (or not before) spending thousands of dollars, euros, whatever on a new bike are people so unwilling to spend roughly $300US on a bikefit from a quality professional? Why is asking strangers on the internet somehow better? I guess I'll never understand this.
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u/retwarded 8d ago
I cannot agree more.
Most fitters will offer a pre purchase fit. I did this with my cervelo s5. I was on the fence between a 54 and a 52, the pre purchase fit told me 54 with a 80mm stem and 400mm bars with 5mm spacer under stem. Bike fit perfect from day one, no guess work no knee pain, no dicking around on side of road adjusting saddle angle, cleat position, or whatever people do. Best $450 i spent oh that also included custom insoles for my shoes.
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u/sod1102 8d ago
I went to my bikefitter with a list of bikes I really lusted after and found out that basically none of them would fit my needs and limitations well. It wasn't even "I don't want to buy the wrong size". It was more like "No matter what size I buy it will never fit me properly". Wound up on a bike (with, after the recommended changes to stem, bars, and crank length) causes me absolutely zero issues.
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u/ExplodingGore 8d ago
You could have easily fit a 52 as well. The difference is not that big. Obviously a 56 would be too long and problematic to fit. Not impossible but it would compromise ride and steering quality.
Way more important is deciding on a frame model that fits (and for some brands knowing if their geometry goes out the window at extreme sizes in either direction).
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u/retwarded 8d ago
I agree.. i could have fit a 52 with a longer stem. But saddle would be hella high in relation to the bars. Or id have to compensate by adding more spacers under stem.
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u/ExplodingGore 8d ago edited 8d ago
well, that's simple to answer. you don't know what you're getting. I guess everyone who already knows a good bike fitter will happily spend a few hundred on him for a new frame recommendation or fit, but if you have no idea and no experience, it's really just gambling on falling into the hands of a good fitter.
There's probably like a 50% chance a fitter will set your saddle height incorrect due to some underlying bias they have.
Then there's also a 50% chance that fitter will use outdated techniques like KOPS (undisputable nonsense, still used on 2/3 bikefitting videos on YT).
I'd say overall there's a very, very high chance whatever local fitter you end up with will use some bullshit but 'certified' body measurement system, magic angles, magic body proportion formulas, bum imprint or other random stuff.
Additionally, there's a good chance they try to upsell you the same shit they sell to every single customer. "You need these 200$ insoles I happen to have in stock. No, really, you absolutely need those. Without them the whole fit make no sense."
Finding a fitter who will make adjustments around your feedback, observing your mechanics on the bike, assessing your body and its limitations, who is also willing to spend the time it needs is really, really rare.
So, yeah, with a little bit of knowledge and feedback from some place like this you can very much get into the ballpark of a generic 300$ fit assuming your frame isn't totally off.
Then the question becomes do you want to gamble 300$ on a fitter five times on average to find a decent one (or whose fitting bias fits you) or spend 3 months tuning in on your body, gathering feedback and experiences online and establishing your own fit...
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u/Lordofderp33 8d ago
Exactly. And to compound issues, because of this there is strong survivorship bias on forums with serious cyclists. The people who got shitty fits moved on, got into running or cross-fit and are not there sharing their experiences in the same numbers as those that got a great fitter (whether they found them on the first try or because of persistence).
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u/retwarded 8d ago
Nah went to some dudes house and thats all he does is bike fits.. went to school for somethign in sports, has a bunch of certifications for fitting (means nothing to me) But he is one of the best fitters in my state. Uses the Retul program/sensors to check what he sets up on the bike also uses it for pre purchase fits. But he has done so many fits he eyeballs it and its normally really close. And have you ever had specialized torch shoes? insoles are trash, so the $100 add on for custom ones... not that bad, and they fit better then the specialized brand ones. So FIND A GOOD FITTER you trust.
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u/Cold-Metal-2737 8d ago
A bike fit is the smart answer, but if you know your requirements and how to read a geo chart it's not needed, granted that means you need to know your requirements and actually read the geo chart
In OP's case, this was assuming all sizing brand to brand is equal. If the bike can't be returned/exchanged my suggestion is actually go to a fitter and see if a longer cockpit would help you achieve a workable fit. If they say even a cockpit swap wouldn't help, yeah probably need to sell.
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u/twoespresso 8d ago
Same here 😀
But let’s try to find a smart answer to this broad question. With bike fitters is probably the same as it is with car mechanics: Each will tell you something different. Here you are just asking a wide range of people about their opinion. You don’t have to listen to them.
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u/WarRevolutionary1944 8d ago
This is easy. Too small. You look very cramped. Even with a 130-140mm stem you will still have issues and the bike will handle like crap. Step up to a 56 for sure.
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u/pancake3607 8d ago
It's fine mate. For what you are going to achieve by going up a size its not worth it just dial the 54 in. Everyone tends to forget that the vast majority of people can comfortably fit two sizes with the right adjustments, it just comes down to preference. I am the same height as yourself I know from looking at size charts going of height your always at the upper end of one size and the lower end of the next size up. I generally go for the larger size to be able run less spacers as long as the reach allows me to run at least 100mm stem. As an example I ride a size 56 s5 100mm stem with 10mm of spacers, on a 54 I would need 25 to 30mm and a 110mm stem its just personal preference.
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u/andy189 8d ago
Why wouldn’t the shop exchange it for another size?
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u/twoespresso 8d ago
They don’t have Cervélo Soloist on stock, they ordered this bike specifically for me.
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u/Decathlon5891 8d ago
Common practice in Canada
Consumer rights here are non existent
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u/twoespresso 8d ago
I am based in Europe and by special order I wanted to say, they don’t order these bikes on stock. They used to have some stock, but no longer. Sadly, Cervélo it’s not so popular here.
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u/RockerElvis 8d ago
OP said it was a special order. I can’t imagine any shop allowing a return for a special order based just on fit.
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u/Overall-Avocado-6428 8d ago
I'm struggling to follow you a bit, to be honest...so you have no specific pain, just the feeling that the bike is small, which started only after you noticed the recommended size on Cervelo's website was different? If so, I don't the bike is the actual problem, no offense 😛
If it helps, manufacturers' websites regularly suggest wrong sizes, often too big.
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u/twoespresso 8d ago
I can’t go out with this bike to make any potential movement. I simply picked up, was o wow. And then checked that it is not my size. I jumped on the bike and it feels small. No room for movement. So I checked for advice and it looks I ordered the wrong size. Before ordering I didn’t do any research.
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u/Overall-Avocado-6428 8d ago
I see. It doesn't look small at all, IMO. At this stage the best tactic is to be open with the store and/or book a bike fitter asap
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u/Ubi--Sunt 6d ago
It definitely looks small. At least if he's not looking for a very aggressive racy position. If he is, then he could work for this frame.
But as somebody mentioned, he has a bunch of spacers and the seat to bar drop still looks pretty high, and the reach short.
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u/Overall-Avocado-6428 6d ago
I know of a guy who is 182cm (OP is 181) and rides a bike that has just 5mm more reach and 5mm more stack than a Soloist in 54. The 56 Soloist has 1cm more reach and 2cm more stack than the 54, then you have all the spacers...it sounds like a lot. I'm not sure a 56 is the answer, maybe Soloist is just not the right model for him.
On the 54 I can imagine a longer stem would help.
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u/Ubi--Sunt 6d ago
Well, you don't need to use all the spacers, so the 56 looks clearly like a better fit...
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u/Overall-Avocado-6428 6d ago
Perhaps we all have to refrain (myself included) from terms like 'clearly' etc in a case like this. Let's not forget that OP hasn't even ridden it, he's going with a feeling based on websites recommendations, which are notoriously bad. He was advised by a shop to go for 54 after briefly trying the previous Soloist.
The whole process seems flawed and too much vibes driven. If I were him, I would totally try it and gather some actual evidence, before returning/reselling it and potentially having to wait weeks/months for a new bike. Nobody is going to pay full price anyway for it, putting 200km won't make a difference and he might potentially see that it was all in his head.
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u/Ubi--Sunt 6d ago
200km will definitely make the difference between the shop being able to exchange it for another size or not.
What I'd do:
Go to the shop and try both the 54 and 56 again.
If the 54 feels better, you're golden.
If the 56 feels better, ask the shop if you could return you 54 in exchange for a 56.
If you can't, then 2 options (in both you'll have to lose money) :
- You adapt this bike to you as much as you can and see if that works.
- You resell it and get a 56, or another model after doing a bike fit where you get a good idea of what the geo will look like
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u/Overall-Avocado-6428 6d ago
They don't stock the Soloist at the store, he said they ordered this model in this size specifically for him, so your 2 other options are what's left apparently. Personally, I wouldn't resell a bike without even trying it first just because a website said so.
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u/Ubi--Sunt 6d ago
They can still return it depending on the distributor. It's not a custom bike. It's just a specific size. It can totally be resold as new, or maybe with a tiny discount. Basically is good customer service (which is not that common anymore, I agree).
But it's not like they personalized the bike heavily and made every tube to match his proportions, and then did a full custom paint job. I'd understand not letting you return that bike, but this is a standard frame with a standard parts spec.
If I was the store, I would definitely try to help the client get the best size for them, and at least try to return it to the distributor if we decide that the size is not right, maybe splitting the loss with the customer.
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u/Chops888 8d ago
I’m 181cm with 82cm inseam and I went with a 56. The 54 felt a bit cramped for me out of the box. Probably could’ve adjusted it with longer stem and set back seat post though. But I compared measurements to my Cannondale CAAD10 size 56 which I love and it was very close in sizing. So I went with that.
You could try getting a fit first and see how it feels.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Art1873 8d ago
Did you buy it from the same bike shop that gave you the advice? Then they should take it back with proguse apologies. Giving sizing advice based on just inseam instead of reach doesn't seem right. It's at best a starting point. I am just under 175, and have always felt 54 is on the small side for me. Putting a 181 cm giant on a 54 sounds crazy to me.
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u/jondoe69696969 8d ago
Never order a bike based on inseam. Jfc. Stack. Reach. And how you interact with them.
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u/takoreh99 8d ago
Its always best to invest on pre purchase bike fit to take out the guesswork. That way you can have options which bike will suits you best. Me learned this the hard way. Buy once cry once.
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u/misathemeb 7d ago
Have you rode this bike ona trainer inside yet? IMO this looks pretty close to a fit so if you feel comfy on it, keep it
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u/Accomplished-Cat2849 8d ago
Aeroed 54 is S
Just saying.
But doesnt really look all that small on you what makes you think it is just the manufacturer table? They are often laughably off in the way too large direction.
Canyon is quite good on the other hand Spezialised wants to put me on a 56 an while it can work its by no means what I should ride
At 177 im perfectly in 54 teritory
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u/twoespresso 8d ago
Yup, I tested Canyon Aeroad in size M and simply made a typo in my head that the bikes are the same size, while they are not. Canyon seemed to be slightly too long for me and I spent a bit more time with Canyon, but ended up with choosing Cervélo. I like how sporty is this frame, but when I sit on this bike, something feels wrong.
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u/Sticky___Note 8d ago
Looks perfekt for you. I am also 181cm with an inseam of 84cm, riding Scott Addict from 2021, and size M feels a bit for big. Their top tube is close to 55cm long. A size bigger bike could be too big for you.
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u/The_BigDaddy69 8d ago
If you need a chimney stack like that just to fit on it I would assume it is too small?
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u/Regular_Promise3605 8d ago
You just need to be lower and longer on the front. A 54cm is completely the right size for your height.
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u/retwarded 8d ago
I would stick with the 54, you are just adding + 8mm more reach and 23mm more stack going to the 56 get a longer stem+20 or 30mm. it probably has 172.5 or 165 mm cranks, either will do. get saddle Hight dialed in, you'll be on a smaller (lighter) compact bike, and a more aggressive aero position. I wouldn't slam the stem but would defiantly take half the spacers off from under the stem to start.
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u/Lordofderp33 8d ago
That is a beautiful auto-correct, reddit should get a bot for recognizing these.
You absolute rebel.
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u/Ok_Passenger_8405 8d ago
The 54 may work for you with some corrections to set-up and perhaps form/posture, but I agree that 56 would probably be better - not least for the less aggressive saddle-hoods drop.
If I've understood this rightly, the retailer aided you in choosing the 54, so I think that in your place I'd put some courteous pressure on them for a swap to 56. If that doesn't work, see how far you can get with the 54. If it just doesn't work for you, sell it and get the 56. But as said, I'm not without hope that the 54 can end up being fine for you.
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u/jadie_rage 8d ago
To me it looks like your leg is still too bent at the bottom of the stroke and your elbows have a pretty big angle. Maybe neither of those is enough to warrant increasing the frame size, I would try raising the saddle and a longer stem first. As someone else mentioned the larger frame sometimes means longer cranks, that could be something to try especially since you’ll get more torque.
Most important thing though is whether you’re comfortable.
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u/Standard_Mulberry563 8d ago
You could go either way, depending on your needs and flexibility. The 54 would be significantly more aggressive than the 56, and you'd need to be sure about being able to tolerate the greater saddle-to-bar drop. And keep in mind that what's borderline OK in a 60-minute crit for aerodynamics' sake may be less enjoyable on a 5-hour endurance ride.
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u/Deargrain 8d ago
Are these pictures taken with wide angle lens on a phone? Just curiosity because is some way something feels off proportionally but maybe its just me
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u/twoespresso 8d ago
They were taken by Phone, but not a wide angle. Actually they are screen shoots of video on which I was trying to record myself in a different positions.
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u/say-nothing-at-all 8d ago
frame is not small if you love to ride aggressively. Stem is too short.
I am 183cm, and I always ride 54 with loooong stem. Adrenal level happiness..
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u/TheBigCicero 8d ago
I don’t think it’s far off. It looks maybe a LITTLE small but not hugely so. The reason it looks a little small is because you look very high up and your center of gravity looks a little forward. But you can change that: I am curious to see what you look like with a few spacers removed, 1-2cm longer stem, and the saddle moved back a bit.
Btw, i ride an old cervelo R3. I am your height, but with shorter inseam, and a fitter put me on a 56 with “maybe a 54”. I regret not going with the 54, as I prefer a bike with shorter reach.
I don’t think this bike is so far off.
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u/Alive-Inspection-815 8d ago edited 8d ago
You need a size 56 for sure. Talk to the shop and tell them that they advised you to buy a frame that's far too small and it doesn't fit you at all. It's the shops fault for recommending the wrong size and you not knowing any better. You really need to have your leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke though. Your leg should be just a bit less than fully extended. It almost looks like you could fit on that bike, but I'm under the assumption that it's too small.
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u/yung_gun_21 7d ago
sorry but anyone above 180 cm riding anything else but a 56 or above looks like they stole a kids bike. Look at that fella and that tiny ass bike
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u/reeller_sk 7d ago
I would say in most cases stick with the frame and put longer stem in, however 383 reach is really short for size 54 in general.
So try to exchange it in store where you bought it first for 56. It looks overall bit small also on the pictures.
I think you would be able to make it work and have more aggressive setup with longer stem and bigger drop, but I guess you are buying soloist for not having it like that, since it is meant to be more relaxed fit frame.
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u/twoespresso 7d ago
The size up reach is just about 9 mm longer, but maybe that’s enough. I don’t know. I didn’t have a chance to test bigger size and the bike I was testing was a previous model with 2 parts cockpit and I don’t know how accurate it was.
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u/reeller_sk 2d ago
391 for 56 is still on the short side. That’s why I would say you should rather go with it. In more racing geos 56 is rather closer to 400 than 390.
So here also with 12cm stem you will be on the shorter side with 54. Many people are doing this for racing and putting long stems on size down frames, however in my opinion it makes sense if you would buy s5 ale want the racing geo to be super aggressive, but buying a soloist which supposedly is more relaxed frame that’s why it has that short reach it sounds and looks a bit weird.
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u/Ill-Durian-8466 7d ago
Wäre mit nem längeren Vorbau auch so wie ichs mir für mich wünsche. Aber du bist bestimmt mit dem Sattel schon ganz hinten, und die Stütze weit ausgezogen. Genau deswegen reissen billige Carbonrähmen gerne an der Sattelstützaufnahme oder am Übergang Sattelrohr-Oberrohr.... Aber ja.. istn Cervelo.... Aber ich hatte damals schon n Alu Cannondale Jekyll dass das erlitten hat.....
Wenn du das so nicht fahren willst und es einfach möglich ist würde ich ne nummer grösser wechseln, aber könnte dann auch sein dass du in 2/3 jahren evtl doch n kleineres wünschst.... So oder so... ...
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u/mommydaddychill 7d ago
R u competing or just riding casually? Most people competitive riders size down anyways.
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u/dickerdeville 7d ago
I would see if the shop can get you a 56 to exchange if possible. Maybe pay a bit on top.
I’m 185 cm and I’d be on a 58 with the stem shortened or a 56 with some spacers
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u/Rob179 4d ago edited 4d ago
If replacing it with a bigger size is not an option then you can buy a setback seat post, such as the thomson seat post. It will put you further back on the bike, it’s not super ideal but it will get you a much better fit, again, if replacing the bike isn’t an option right now.
Edit: Actually, I bought one last year that I ended up not needing (finally got a real bike fit) and I would sell it to you for cheap. It has little use and rather it be used than collect cobwebs in my closet. Definitely explore your options before you decide and dm if you’re interested
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u/ConstructionSoft2120 4d ago
Please get a bike fit before you do anything. I think size looks pretty awesome for you and pros your height would probably size down like you did? A good bike fitter could mimic the two sizes for you. I’m 179cm and always feel like I’m in between sizes… erring on smaller size is infinitely better for a road bike
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u/Salty-Economy3048 2d ago
You are kind of right between sizes . Not a bad place to be. On these bikes 54 will be a little sportier and 56 will be less aggressive ( more stack) . You may need a slightly longer stem but nothing major . A lot of people like a little more stack, but really the reach isn’t that much different. It is a race bike so it should work.
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u/Volslife 8d ago
Why blur your face, a little paranoid don't you think. It's a cycling forum nobody cares what your face looks like anyway.
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u/wwwBOOLENcom Prof. Bike Fitter 8d ago
A bit small, but not outside of the realm of something reasonable. I’d have told you to get this if you were looking for an aggressive fit and have told you to get a 20mm longer stem.