Howdy all-

I'm a long-time mtn bike rider and racer who rides alot (~7500 miles on dirt last year) with no road experience, who has decided to take the plunge on a road bike. I'm looking at a very nice bike (Macalu [the house brand of Excel Sports in Boulder, CO, built by the folks who build Litespeed] Al/CF frame built up with the carbon Campy grupo). I've ridden the bike, and it feels good- very quick and responsive. There's definitely a decrease in ride quality with the Al versus full CF frames, but I'm okay with that. The issue is that although the bike seems to fit like a glove, and I was in the process of writing a check, I saw the Excel catalog which indicated that the bike I was buying was a size large with a 57.5 top tube (I'm 5'8"). Am I just crazy to worry about specs after I've ridden this bike? My feeling is that I don't know enough about what I want to make an informed decision in terms of a frame, and that I can hang these parts on a different fram later... Any thoughts? Many thanks in advance,
blue pastures

Howdy all-

I'm a long-time mtn bike rider and racer who rides alot (~7500 miles on dirt last year) with no road experience, who has decided to take the plunge on a road bike. I'm looking at a very nice bike (Macalu [the house brand of Excel Sports in Boulder, CO, built by the folks who build Litespeed] Al/CF frame built up with the carbon Campy grupo). I've ridden the bike, and it feels good- very quick and responsive. There's definitely a decrease in ride quality with the Al versus full CF frames, but I'm okay with that. The issue is that although the bike seems to fit like a glove, and I was in the process of writing a check, I saw the Excel catalog which indicated that the bike I was buying was a size large with a 57.5 top tube (I'm 5'8"). Am I just crazy to worry about specs after I've ridden this bike? My feeling is that I don't know enough about what I want to make an informed decision in terms of a frame, and that I can hang these parts on a different fram later... Any thoughts? Many thanks in advance,
blue pastures

Just my $.02
That frame does seem a little big for you unless you have a long torso and arms to match. I am pretty regularly proportioned and ride a 59 top tube and I am 6'2".
Did you take a long test ride and come back with no lower back/neck pain?
I would certainly recommend that you find a bike shop employee with some fit experience and have yourself fitted properly(stem length, top tube, seat tube, bars, etc.). Remember, if the bike dont fit, you're not going to ride it which defeats the whole purpose.
Good luck

Just my $.02
That frame does seem a little big for you unless you have a long torso and arms to match. I am pretty regularly proportioned and ride a 59 top tube and I am 6'2".
Did you take a long test ride and come back with no lower back/neck pain?
I would certainly recommend that you find a bike shop employee with some fit experience and have yourself fitted properly(stem length, top tube, seat tube, bars, etc.). Remember, if the bike dont fit, you're not going to ride it which defeats the whole purpose.
Good luck

Willito-

Many thanks. Turns out my fears were unfounded- the long top tube was the result of a typo on the frame builder's website... I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

Enjoy your riding.