Bike size - buyer’s anxiety!

[Argus]

Before I ordered a medium-sized Ribble Hybrid AL e this week, I used the video call support service.

One of the Ribble staff recommended I ordered the small size.

Another recommended the medium because it was a hybrid and it would offer a more upright ride.

I’m 5ft 7” and 29” inside leg … so on the border of both sizes.

Now getting buyer’s anxiety! What if it arrives in 3 months time or longer and medium is the wrong size!!!

 

[sjpt]

It is always a matter of personal choice; difficult when you can't try one out. I have always preferred smaller frames as long as there is enough height on the handlebar stem, and I like an upright ride (especially now).

They do have their advantages, but modern stem systems seem much more limited in height adjustment than the older ones. Their sizing table gives lots of frame details but nothing about handlebar height. We've resorted to both stem extender and riser bars on our tandem.

There usually seems to be enough length on the seatpost for a small frame to fit leg length, worth checking but probably easy enough to replace if not.

Small frames sometimes have problems with toe clearance.