help on vsf t400 size

[xtian]

Hi all:

I am new to this forum. Sorry for using english. I am from spain with dutch mother, I can more or less read dutch but can not write it, so please excuse me.

I am about to buy a vsf TX400, the old T400. I saw that many people in the forum have and like this bike. I wonder if you could share with me your knowledge and give me some advice on the size. The issue is that the bike comes only in three sizes, 47, 52 and 57. In bare foot, I am 1,77 cm (much smaller than Holland average ) and my inseam is 85cm. I am in doubt between the 52 and the 57.

As many of you have the 57 size, could someone measure the mid-tube stand over height and let me know?

Any suggestion you have is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[dik5]

Hi Ixtian,
Welcome to this forum. I am the owner of a brandnew T400 , size 52 cm.
I am 1.73 m.
I think this (size 52 cm) is also usable for you, but better is, go to a dealer, they can measure your size and give you the best advice.
See for more info the homepage of this forum including the advertising of specialized bikeshops
Dirk

[xtian]

Thanks Dirk for your feedback, it is good to know how the bike fits people of similar height.

There are very few dealers in spain (I only know one, 450km far from my hometown). Furthermore, these kind of bikes are not that popular in spain, and it is impossible to test ride both the 52 and the 57. That is why I am asking for some advice.

I e-mailed "De Vakantiefietser" and they told me that the 52 will give me a more sporty position while the 57 would be for more up-right riding position. To make a final decision I would like to know the stand over height of the 57 size (I am sure I can stand over the 52).

Thanks once more.

[Fietsertje71]

Watch also the length of the upper tube, between the sizes,
it differs very little on the VSF,
for me it was one of the reasons to choose another bike, considering the point that i like to sit a bit less sporty and more upright.

[xtian]

Thanks Roald for the point.

Between the 52 and 57 the top tube in horizontal goes from 586 mm to 606 mm. The head tube goes from 155 to 195. All this means that you rises 4 cm up and goes 2cm forward when you go from 52 to 57.

I forgot to mention an important change for 2012, which makes me worry. The new TX400 uses an ahead headset (threadless), which limits the possibilities to raise the handlebar. I like the handlebar level with the saddle.

I made some calculations using vsf geometry chart. If I did them correctly (which I don't know) on the 52 the height of the head tube would be at about 58 cm from bottom bracket and about 62 cm on the 57. Given that the top of saddle would be at about 98 cm, this gives a saddle to head tube height of 12 cm and 8 cm respectively.

The thing is, for the 52 I need to raise 12 cm the handlebar, which I think is only possible with a large and angled stem (given that the steerer is cut) . On the other hand, on the 57 I only need to raise it 8 cm, which should be easy with short stem. In the end, the total reach could be the same.

It could be helpful to now height and leg length (inseam) of people using the 57 size. Anybody?

Christian.

[jasmon]

with my 1.75cm I have the 57cm size

[Sjeng Langslaper]

..

[geodakoc]

As far as I know the 2012 model does have a different fork. It is now A-type, so your riding position is sporty, more bent over like on a racing bike. The previous model had a more straight up sitting position. I think you should be able to see this from the catalogues:

http://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/wp-cont ... r_2011.pdf
http://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/wp-cont ... g_2012.pdf

[xtian]

Thanks all for your inputs.

rbregt that is exactly what I said. With that A-type fork you cannot rise the stem and handlebar. That is the reason why I still wonder if the 57 could be a good option, as the handlebars come higher by default. The drawback is stand over height (not that problem for me the large top tube). Anybody could measure mid-tube stan over height in his 57 T400?

Dank u wel!

Christian.

[Leon]

I e-mailed "De Vakantiefietser" and they told me that the 52 will give me a more sporty position while the 57 would be for more up-right riding position. To make a final decision I would like to know the stand over height of the 57 size (I am sure I can stand over the 52).

Hi xtian,
You obviously mixed some things up here. A shorter bike will give you a more upright position; a longer bike will stretch you. (imagine a bike two meters long)
Don't make your decision on the stand-over height. This is of no importance at all, since it doesn't affect your riding position. The most important measure of the frame on the riding position is the length, like Roald said.

The T400 versions are known to be quite long for their height. The 57 cm would even be too long for me at 186 cm, considering my back doesn't like to bend much. The length of the top tube of my 61cm Avaghon is even less!

Most of all, we don't really know how you'd like your ride to be.

Leon

[xtian]

Hi Leon, thanks for the input.

I understand your point, and it makes a lot of sense, but as far as know several things influence how stretched you are. Top tube length (horizontal) is a very important one, as you and Roald suggest. But also the height of the handlebar influences that. In addition, doesn't the correct length depend on the type handlebar you use. Of course, for drop bars 606mm of top bar is huge. But it is not so large for a straight bar, right?

About my riding. Well, I mainly want this bike for long rides, loaded when on tour and not loaded when at home. I like the handlebars level with the saddle. I don't want a "very upright position" (like my sparta city bike in Holland), but I also don't want a "very sporty position". It is a bit difficult to explain, but if I strech out too much, then I get neck pain, so I probably want to be at 45º, with a balance of weight between handlebars and saddle or slightly more on the saddle.

I do not want to select the bike based on stand over height, but I want to have some flexibility in selecting the handlebar height. And I am not if I can do that with the 52 size. May be with a adjustable stem?

Anyway, thank you very much, I will consider the top tube length issue.

Christian.

[Wim]

My hunch would be that 52 cm is better, but as others have said, length is what matters. Anyway, make sure the steerer tube is not cut, so you can start with a very high handlebar. Experiment with spacers either above or below the stem, until you are sure the height is right. After that you can still go for a more upward sloping stem. I don't like adjustable stems: they are heavier, more expensive and not as stiff.
Wim

[geodakoc]

rbregt that is exactly what I said. With that A-type fork you cannot rise the stem and handlebar.

My mistake. I only read your initial post earlier that day.

[xtian]

Yes, having an uncut steerer tube would be perfect, then I could definitely go with the 52. But I am not sure if that is possible, as it is not a custom build bike. I will ask the distributor.

Christian