Hello I am new to the forum.

I am having concerns about the correct size frame and wondering if anyone can offer any guidance? I have ordered an 'XL' on the advice of my LBS but fear it may be too large for me (Previously riding '56' SL3 - 565cm TT with 130cm stem).

I visited our local expo yesterday to speak with the rep and he was unable to offer a demo bike which I find a little odd?

Due to the cost of the frame I do not want to make the wrong decision, my measurements are:

Height: 187cm
Inseam: 90 cm
Arm: 63cm

Any advice would be appreciated.

That's quite an expensive bike to buy without getting a bike fit FIRST...

Unfortunately, height, inseam, etc. are all quite useless when it comes to bike fit... just to many parameters that influence the fit... core strength, flexibility, upper body length, lower/upper leg lengths, current/past injuries/issues, etc. etc. etc. etc...

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You need to clarify if your SL3 is a Roubaix or Tarmac. The head tube lengths are very different.
The 695 XL is close in geo to the Roubaix (longer TT - down 1 or 2 sizes). The 695 L is close to the Tarmac.

Thank you for the fast responses!

To be clear the bike I am moving from is an SL3 Tarmac.

Flexibility is good and I prefer racing fit to relaxed fit. As for not being
able to try the bike before buying...I'm still thinking of changing my order
as I cannot find anyone to help in this department.

Is there anyone here of a similar size to me who owns the bike, If so what
size did you go for?

I'm a bit shorter than you and my size on Look frames is Large but as everyone is different you're best off trying to get a frame close to your SL3 assuming you are comfortable on it.

The headtube length stands out as a major difference. 695 XL - 192.5, SL3 - 170 (measure yours to confirm).
Unless you're running 20+mm of spacers on your SL3 the 695 XL is going to be too tall.

Hi 585

My headtube is 170 but I am using 20mm of spacers (stem +6deg.)

My thoughts when deciding to go for the 695 where "my current SL3 is has a TT of 565 & stem of 130 so the take the 695 XL with 575 TT & stem 120" but from reading about other peoples moves to the 695 they all seem to be taking one size smaller which has made me doubt my descision.

Did you get to try yours be for buying?

I have been on a 695 sr for years and it is easily the best road bike I have owned. I have a 55cm with 140 stem and my fit is fine. I'm 73in tall with 35in inseam. Unless your torso and arms are crazy long then XL will be too big. You can make it work but it's more frame than you need.

Hi Vjl

Thank you for your post, it's looking like I have ordered a size too big

My torso/trunk is 71cm and arms are 64cm.

I really want to get the correct size not make do.

No, XL will be perfectly fine.
I'm exactly your size with a 88 cm inseam and on the 695 SR XL and a 120 mm stem for app. 8K km. Fits like a glove with no spacers. I testrode the L and the toptube felt too short and the saddle drop would've been too agressive.

You'll love that bike.

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“I want to clear my conscience. I don’t want to be part of the problem any more.”

You're 6 feet 1.5 inches tall and you were riding a bike with a 56.5 cm top tube??? Even with the 13 cm stem it was still several centimeters or inches too small for you. Top tube length you need the XL Look with 57.5 cm top tube. As for head tube length, can't say. You may be sitting up in the wind like a sail with the too long head tube. For comparison I am only 5'11" and run top tubes of 57 or 57.5 cm with 12 cm stems. So if you don't have a 57.5 cm top tube you will be too scrunched up.

Hate giving size advice over the internet, but I do like to keep up on various geometries of the different brands. I am 185cm with a 91cm inseam and after looking at the geo chart for the 695 if I were buying the bike for myself, it would the XL. Make of that what you will, but give your own instinct the most weight in the decision. I haven't seen you. The guys at your LBS have.

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My Colnago C59
My Special Colnago EPQ

XL is the right size for you IME, no way an L.

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Colnago Master X-light
Wilier 18carati

Hello thank you all for your replies they are very much appreciated I know giving advice about sizing is difficult and not ideal online but in this case it is very important as I cannot try the frame.

As you can probably imagine I've been having great difficulty deciding what to do for the best with quite a few different views on sizing. So I have been in contact with a Look fit specialist here in the UK for another opinion and again the advice has been XL over L due to the fact I have been using a 130 stem with a 565 TT and L 695 may require a 140 to achieve a similar fit.

I also prefer not to be too far over the front of the bike, so I think I'm going to stick with the XL frame and hope I can achieve the fit and look that I'm after.

@RussellS: I do feel 'scrunched up' on the tarmac 56.

I feel a lot happier with my choice now and can't wait for the frame to turn up! (still 2 weeks to go I think).

Excellent. I think you made the right choice. One thing I've found is that I've never been uncomfortable on a frame that was a bit too big on any ride, but if a frame is just a little too small, I'm always fiddling with my position and it becomes very tiring after a while. And annoying. It's not good being "scrunched". Or riding with too much weight over the front end because the frame is too small. Enjoy.

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My Colnago C59
My Special Colnago EPQ