1.74.5cm tall. Short legs and long torso. Really want an R3 and very close to buying. Tried bundling lots of questions in one post before, and bothering people with pvt messages (whose replies I am very thankful for) but let me boil it down to this:

 

With a saddle height of 70.5cm (might be 71, but lets be conservative) what is the max (no spacers) saddle to bar drop possible on a 54 R3?

 

Problem is that I don;t have measurements from a previous bike cause I was on too big a bike with barely any drop (and no clipless pedals). But I want more drop now. Even to race. How can I know how much will be good and how much will be too much? I understand that I'll only really know after several weeks of riding what's comfortable for me. I'm concerned I'll buy the 54 for example, and then want to lower my bars further. Was suggested that I could then go neg stem, but I'd feel like I should have just gotten the 51.

Reach and top tube are better on the 54 for me, though I've gotten top tube recomendations of 535 to 555. Long live "pro" fitters. I guess it's a case of the more people you ask, the more opinions you'll get.

Anyone with experience of similar measurements, or with any thoughts at all is welcome.

Thanks.

dumalam:

1.74.5cm tall. Short legs and long torso. Really want an R3 and very close to buying. Tried bundling lots of questions in one post before, and bothering people with pvt messages (whose replies I am very thankful for) but let me boil it down to this:

 

With a saddle height of 70.5cm (might be 71, but lets be conservative) what is the max (no spacers) saddle to bar drop possible on a 54 R3?

 

Problem is that I don;t have measurements from a previous bike cause I was on too big a bike with barely any drop (and no clipless pedals). But I want more drop now. Even to race. How can I know how much will be good and how much will be too much? I understand that I'll only really know after several weeks of riding what's comfortable for me. I'm concerned I'll buy the 54 for example, and then want to lower my bars further. Was suggested that I could then go neg stem, but I'd feel like I should have just gotten the 51.

Reach and top tube are better on the 54 for me, though I've gotten top tube recomendations of 535 to 555. Long live "pro" fitters. I guess it's a case of the more people you ask, the more opinions you'll get.

Anyone with experience of similar measurements, or with any thoughts at all is welcome.

Thanks.

If I did the math corectly then you would have a max drop of about 9.5cm give or take 5mm on the 54 and I think that is going to be your best fit option. This is using a 73 degree stem as the lowest normal stem that you will find before going to something below horizontal.  I am about the same height as you and with your leg length I would think that you may be bunched up on the 51 because it sounds like you have a longer than average torso.  So if you were to get the 51 let's say then you would likely need a very long stem to get the right reach.  This may or may not work for you.  I share your desire for an aggressive drop but don't do it at the exense of your overall fit.

Not sure if this will help you but i am on a 51 R3 SL. My saddle height is 69.5cm, with no spacers and a 120mm stem i have 8cm inches of seat to bar drop

Sorry, meant to read 8cm of seat / bar drop.

If your drop is 80mm on a 51 then the poster will have 20 mm higher HT (140mm) and 10 mm higher saddle height (longer legs) on a 54 . Therefore won't his drop be 70 mm on a 54 assuming the same stem angle and length?

wilwil, yes that is correct assuming the poster uses the same stem angle and length (Deda Zero 100 stem 120mm) then the poster will acheive seat bar drop of 70mm.

Thanks for the replies. I suppose I just need to decide what kind of drop I want, and whether I want the possiblity of increasing it after a period of time.