hi all,
i've been lurking around the forums for a while now, loads of great discussions and info. after years of mountain biking and touring with one eye always on the road bike scene, i've finally decided to actually get a road bike and ride the hell out of it. i did my homework, read as much as i could, and collected as much advice as possible from more experienced riders. i visited several bike shops, tried out some bikes that i liked (and that were within my price range), and narrowed it down to 2 or 3 bikes among which a 2012 Bianchi Impulso Veloce would probably be my first choice (on top of the fact the bike felt great and that i've always liked celeste, i can also get a good discount deal on it).
anyways, yesterday i tried to consult with the guy in the bike shop and decide on which size frame to get. i left the shop feeling the guy didn't really know what he was talking about, but also confused because he kept recommending me a size 61, which i thought would be too big. i'm just below 6'1 (exactly 185cm), with an inseam of 35 in (89cm). my legs are slightly longer than my torso, which, i am told, would favor a frame with a slightly shorter top tube in combination with a longer head tube (one of the other bikes i looked at that fits this description is a Specialized Secteur, but i felt a bit too upright on it for my taste). in any case, the 61cm impulso felt clunky in comparison to the 59, which felt more compact and gave me a better sense of control. i told that to the guy in the shop but he seemed to concentrate only on the seat-handlebar drop and insisted that the most important thing is to reduce it. i, on the other hand, didn't really think it was big, or in any way problematic, but as i'm inexperienced, i wasn't really sure what to think. i should also mention that i came with my own measurements and some sense of how it should all fit and how i should feel, and that the guy didn't really measure anything precisely. (unfortunately, i'm limited in my choices because of where i live so i can't go elsewhere).
so, before making any sort of decision, i wanted to ask if there are any impulso owners here that could give a suggestion or two...? would a 59 cm impulso be a good choice for my size and proportions, should i perhaps even try a 57? also, how does that particular geometry feel after a longer time on the bike, and is the bianchi impulso a good recommendation for a reasonably fit rider such as myself (hoping to get much fitter), who enjoys long rides but also a bit of speed?
i've been lurking around the forums for a while now, loads of great discussions and info. after years of mountain biking and touring with one eye always on the road bike scene, i've finally decided to actually get a road bike and ride the hell out of it. i did my homework, read as much as i could, and collected as much advice as possible from more experienced riders. i visited several bike shops, tried out some bikes that i liked (and that were within my price range), and narrowed it down to 2 or 3 bikes among which a 2012 Bianchi Impulso Veloce would probably be my first choice (on top of the fact the bike felt great and that i've always liked celeste, i can also get a good discount deal on it).
anyways, yesterday i tried to consult with the guy in the bike shop and decide on which size frame to get. i left the shop feeling the guy didn't really know what he was talking about, but also confused because he kept recommending me a size 61, which i thought would be too big. i'm just below 6'1 (exactly 185cm), with an inseam of 35 in (89cm). my legs are slightly longer than my torso, which, i am told, would favor a frame with a slightly shorter top tube in combination with a longer head tube (one of the other bikes i looked at that fits this description is a Specialized Secteur, but i felt a bit too upright on it for my taste). in any case, the 61cm impulso felt clunky in comparison to the 59, which felt more compact and gave me a better sense of control. i told that to the guy in the shop but he seemed to concentrate only on the seat-handlebar drop and insisted that the most important thing is to reduce it. i, on the other hand, didn't really think it was big, or in any way problematic, but as i'm inexperienced, i wasn't really sure what to think. i should also mention that i came with my own measurements and some sense of how it should all fit and how i should feel, and that the guy didn't really measure anything precisely. (unfortunately, i'm limited in my choices because of where i live so i can't go elsewhere).
so, before making any sort of decision, i wanted to ask if there are any impulso owners here that could give a suggestion or two...? would a 59 cm impulso be a good choice for my size and proportions, should i perhaps even try a 57? also, how does that particular geometry feel after a longer time on the bike, and is the bianchi impulso a good recommendation for a reasonably fit rider such as myself (hoping to get much fitter), who enjoys long rides but also a bit of speed?