Fit Question for a newbie

[Chase Granoff]

Hi!

I am new to this group (though have been reading the forum for bit)... I have been saving up and am finally getting ready to purchase a Riv! For sure planning to get an Appaloosa or Atlantis... would love to hear any ideas on fit. I am just under 5'6" with a PBH (no shoes) that is either 78 or 79 depending on the day. From what I can figure out a 50 Atlantis would be a good fit. I've talked to some folks about the Appaloosa and it seems I am between sizes on the Appaloosa. Hard since these aren't bikes we can just go try out. Any feedback would be awesome! Or if anyone in the NYC area with any of these bikes in these sizes and would be open to meeting up (totally understand if you aren't) that would be cool! 

Thanks!

Chase

[Joe Bernard]

Hi Chase and welcome! I'm your height with maybe a smidge more PBH, my 51cm Appaloosa fit great with the pullback-style bars most of us around here use. 

Joe Bernard 

[Ben Mihovk]

Hey Chase!

I think people who are between sizes can typically go either way. I'd call Rivendell and see where they'd put you. Make sure you have a very accurate PBH measurement. When I measured mine, I got different numbers each time, but by like a quarter or half cm...not a whole cm. One thing about Atlantis (and so probably also with Joes) is that they are longer wheelbase bikes that tend to ride a little bigger than they sound. I was worried my 59cm that I just got would be a touch too small, but Vince nailed it when he said I'd be perfectly comfy on a 59 with bigger tires.

Call 'em up. They won't steer you wrong, and they won't pressure you to buy if you just have a fitting question. 

-Ben

[Cyclofiend Jim]

This is one of those things with Rivendell does very, very well. I'd reach out to them and have them talk you through it.
A lot will have to do with your riding style, the type of locations you favor and the bar setup you choose. But, they've talked hundreds of people through that process and know their bikes very well. 

- J

On Monday, October 12, 2020 at 5:54:22 PM UTC-7 chase....@gmail.com wrote:

[Roberta]

I have a 2016 Joe Appaloosa that you can try. 

I work in the very most NE corner of Philadelphia on a train line, or it's an easy car ride, if you have a car.  I'm also going to the RBW forum ride on Saturday.  If it might rain, I'll have the Joe A., if not I'll bring my A. Homer Hilsen (54.5, way too big for you; it barely fits me).

I'll send you a PM.

[Mike Packard]

Hi Chase

Where are you located? Maybe someone nearby has one you can test ride.

Mike in Austin

[Michael Morrissey]

I have the Appaloosa in NYC, but I have the 55cm one from the original run and it's too big for you. It's a great bike for NYC. Mine is even set up singlespeed right now. It still rides amazing. Even for me - the Appaloosa feels BIG! But mine fits me well and I love it. 

Why don't you measure the seat height on your current bike? That could help you decide.

https://www.rivbike.com/pages/pubic-bone-height-how-to-measure-your-pbh

According to this chart, you'd be either the 46 Appaloosa or the 51. The 46 has 26" wheels, but the 51 has 650b.

Good luck! 

m

PS also what bars do you want to use. Perhaps consider going shorter for drops, longer for flats? 

[Ash]

Hi Chase,  I'm one centimeter taller than you with PBH of 81.  I've owned 50 MIT Atlantis, 51 Appa and 46 Appa.   As for the Atlantis, 50cm is most definitely your size.  IMO, 50cm Atlantis is almost identical to 46cm Appa in terms of geometry and how they ride. One notable exception is 'stack'.  The Atlantis is a bit more upright friendly.  

As for 51 vs 46 Appa, I think 46 would be a better fit for you.  There is a small trade-off between precision/control vs ride comfort.  The 51 ride smoother.  I felt like its front fork had a bit more shock-absorbing quality.   The down side was that at times I felt it was a bit unwieldy for my height esp when loaded with some groceries.  

Cheers,

Ash

[Joel S]

Chase, how are you measuring your PBH? Do you have help? I have found variations depending on measuring methods.  I use the Riv method, my PBH is 80.6.  The 50cm Atlantis fit great with 48mm tires.  MT 51cm Sam which I bet is similar to the Appaloosa might be a tad tight at 79 PBH.  I’d measure again and make sure you pull the tape high enough that you really feel it, you want to hit the bone.  Given that, Riv likes bikes to be on the larger size, don’t expect too much standover unless you size down which means you lose out on bar height.  

Good luck

Joel

[Chase Granoff]

Thanks again for all the help! I ended up going with an Atlantis 50. Super excited!

[Chase Gmail]

Wow! What an amazing group! I really appreciate all the info and advice. I ended up calling Riv as many of you suggested and had an awesome chat with Grant. He ended up recommending the 50 Atlantis. Now hoping to get everything sorted to get a build going. 

Thanks for again for all the help!

Chase

On Oct 14, 2020, at 2:17 PM, Ash <ash...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Chase,  I'm one centimeter taller than you with PBH of 81.  I've owned 50 MIT Atlantis, 51 Appa and 46 Appa.   As for the Atlantis, 50cm is most definitely your size.  IMO, 50cm Atlantis is almost identical to 46cm Appa in terms of geometry and how they ride. One notable exception is 'stack'.  The Atlantis is a bit more upright friendly.  

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[Chase Granoff]

Wow! What an amazing group! I really appreciate all the info and advice. I ended up calling Riv as many of you suggested and had an awesome chat with Grant. He ended up recommending the 50 Atlantis. Now hoping to get everything sorted to get a build going. 

Thanks for again for all the help!

Chase