Sizing?

[dbison]

Interested in purchasing the Vado 4.0 with the current deal going on out there, but I am not sure what size to get. Looking at the size chart I am between a medium and a large. I currently ride a specialized allez at 54 cm, but can't figure out what that translates too. So I was wondering what size other 5'10" riders have. I am leaning towards a large, but I am not sure. And with current events it seems local bike shops wont take returns, not sure if the means exchanges too.

Also I plan to use this for commuting, but I also want to use it as a fitness bike and get my heart pumping on the weekends. I have some knee and low back problems that really prevents me from going on long and fast bike rides. At most I can ride for thirty minutes at an average of 12mph right now. I am hoping with the assistance of the bike I can ride a bit farther and faster, and honestly just have some fun. I just to see if other can utilize the bike that way.
Any input with be appreciated. Thanks

 

[TomD]

This is an old article but seems like you might be closer to a medium than a large (edit: oops I misread your height as 5'8", seems 5'10" would be closer to a large):

Specialized Bikes Sizes Guide

Specialized bike sizing guide for mens & womens Specialized bikes, in metric & imperial. Find the perfect size Specialized bicycle. UK wide delivery available

www.edinburghbicycle.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You have asked a very good question @dbison because the purchase of a bike of wrong size cannot be fixed later.

Judging by your height, you need the Large size but there is a big "but". Please measure your inseam standing with the feet slightly apart and including the feet (that is, down to the floor). Now, let us look at the "standover height" geometry parameter of the Vado:

Vado 4, step-over, size Large: the standover height is 833 mm (2' 9")
Vado 4, step-through, size Large: the standover height is 727 mm (2' 5")
Vado 4, step-over, size Medium: the standover height is 800 mm (2' 8")
Vado 4, step-through, size Medium: the standover height is 720 mm (2' 4")

Some people may have long torso but rather short legs (or the opposite). In case you select too high frame, you are more than certain to risk your jewels. Your full inseam has to leave enough of clearance to the top tube of the frame when you are straddling the bike.

You should go for the L size because of your reach, future saddle height etc. Hovewer, you cannot forget the standover height. If in doubt, choose the Step-Through frame. It makes it easier to get on the bike, too.

My personal example: I am 5' 8". My full inseam is 78 cm (2' 6"). The only frame appropriate for me was size Medium, Step-Through. My gf is same 5' 8" but her inseam is 83 cm (2'9"). Although she might do with the Medium Step-Over frame, mine is appropriate for her, too.

 

[dbison]

Thank you for both of your insights. It seems maybe medium might my size. I feel like I have longer torso then my legs. My inseam in pants are usually between 30" and 32" depending on how make them. Measuring my inseam while straddling a book against the wall, I measured it around 31in which is 787.4. So I think a medium. I might try and go to a LBS and see I can convince them to let me sit in one to see if that is the right size.
Thanks

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It looks the step - over frame might be too tall for you in any case.

 

[Jimbo08]

I too ride 54 road bikes.
Unless you want to be very upright, a large step-thru frame would be a good possibility. Then you can change bars to risers if you want to be more upright. I am 5' 8" with 31" inseam. ST frame in large is perfect for me.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Ah, you measure the inseam in inches, OK. I am of the same size as you Jimbo and the Medium Step-Through frame is good for me. The OP might benefit from the Large ST frame because of the reach. We humans also have shorter or longer arms and his torso is longer as well. So, Large ST.

 

[Marcela]

Keep in mind if you put a suspension seatpost on, it may increase reach also, ala Thudbuster.

 

[rochrunner]

The term "inseam" as used in this thread might be a bit confusing. It generally means what it says: the length of the inner seam on your pants, which is not the same as your minimum standover height. My pant-leg inseam is 31" and I have no clearance issues whatsoever on a large-frame Vado. What I'm saying is to not conflate your clothing inseam length with the standover height spec of a bike.

(Besides, some guys like the "high-water" cuff look while others like their cuffs dragging on the floor. )

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That's why I wrote:

Please measure your inseam standing with the feet slightly apart and including the feet (that is, down to the floor).

and the OP has understood that perfectly

 

[Sierratim]

I'm down to 5'9", 30" inseam (I know, stand over is what matters, but shops tend to ask for inseam as most men know this number) and ride a men's large Cannondale Quick mechanical (they don't offer a cm equivalent). I tried the large Vado. The top tube was too high. The medium was fine.

Here are the rated stand over heights:

Quick - Large. Stand over = 78.2cm = 30.8"

Vado - Medium. Stand over = 80 cm = 31.5"

The Vado medium was as close as I could get to the Quick large stand over height and my 30" inseam. The medium has been a good for 11 months now.

 

[dbison]

I just wanted to say Thank you for everybody's input, still not sure which size to get. But called a local bike shop and they have the Vado 3 in Medium, not the large though. They aren't allowing riding , but they said i could sit on it and see if it the right size. But the guy on the phone said I might be a large though. I definitely prefer the step over version, mostly the looks, definitely don't want to be too upright, I still want to have that forward lean and be a little aggressive, just not as much as my road bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It is enough you straddle it and see if there is enough clearance between the top tube and your crotch The rest can be fitted to your size and riding preferences.