measuring for bike

[MikeWaters]

I measured my bike from center of BB to center of top-tube and came up with 54cm. If I measure c-to-t it is 57cm. I seem to remember when I bought it, it was labeled as a 56cm (I can't find a label on it anymore).

What gives?

I'm trying to decide if I need a 54 or 56 for my next bike.

My inseam barefoot is about 31 in. However I have a bit of a longer torso (I think). My stem is about 12-13 cm c-to-c on my current bike.

I'm worried if I get the 54 cm (c-to-c), the top-tube may be too short (as I've mentioned before). I guess the thing that irritates me is that I don't know the size of my own bike!

[MikeWaters]

Here's the other weird thing. My top bar is definitely higher than my dad's 54cm. It is like 1.5 to 2 inches higher it seems.

I was riding next to a guy on a motobecane, and I ask him what size bike he's riding. "54cm" I ask. He says "56cm" indignantly. definitely looked lower than mine.

I don't know what to think

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Here's the other weird thing. My top bar is definitely higher than my dad's 54cm. It is like 1.5 to 2 inches higher it seems.

I was riding next to a guy on a motobecane, and I ask him what size bike he's riding. "54cm" I ask. He says "56cm" indignantly. definitely looked lower than mine.

I don't know what to think

Look up the Lemond method for bike fitting; it's on wikipedia.