Well I think it’s time. I have tried for a long time to dial in my Cannondale CAAD8 54cm frame. It has felt long in the top tube for some time now. I have tried a higher angle and shorter stem. Seemed to help but still wasn’t right. And I can’t go shorter or it will affect my handling. Shallow bar? Tried! Still too long. So what is a 5’8″ guy to do? Go down a frame size.
I found out that Cannondale measures a frame from the middle of the BB to the middle of the top tube. Hmm, so a 54cm has a 56cm seat tube. To me that means you need to size down on a Cannondale. This being my mind set (hmm, is my brain is making a decision before I can test ride. Great, I’ll be real mixed up over this decision) I had to test ride a few sizes.
Measuring from the middle of BB to the top of my seat, I got a length of 73cm. I adjusted a 52cm and 54cm CAAD9. First up the 52cm. Wow, short top tube…but I am bent over much more. Hard to explain. New position but no “stressing” feeling. Now the 54cm. Out the door…Crap forgot pedals (I kid you not). Hands on drops and my back feels stretched. It’s in the upper back, along my spine. I don’t think more flexibility will help with it. If I move my hands about 2 to 3 inches behind the hoods the bike feels the right size. I almost felt like I was on a Synapse.
Pondering back in the store I realize the 54cm is just too big. I will be buying the 52cm. Shh, I don’t think the future wifie knows yet. I keep hinting that I am test riding bikes, however, she hasn’t said a word.
