Planet X Track Frame Sizing

Right chaps,

After doing a couple of intermediate sessions at Herne Hill and liking the place & the people, I just thought it would be good to get a track bike to get properly involved.
After doing a bit of research, it appeared that the Planet X track bikes were pretty good value for money so... I checked their sizing guide and bought one.

I'm 5ft10 (and a half), that 179cm so the chart said 'Medium' and I went for that. I have received the carbon beast this morning and felt a bit 'stretched' on it so I checked the actual bike geometry (I know I should have had a look at it beforehand) and a Medium frame is 56x56.

I would normally ride a 54x54 or a standard medium frame with a 100mm stem and if I did my research properly, I would probably have gone for a Small.

Do any of you guys own a Planet X track frame? If so, how tall are you and what size of frame did you go for? Since I'm new to this velodrome business, how stretched are you supposed to be on an actual track bike?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you, in the meantime, here are some pictures of the actual bike!

I am about the same height (5.10) and have a 56, the 56 used to be called large.

Anyway you have the correct size.

Maybe you need to adjust the seat forward, bars and spacers, or a shorter stem?

Are the pictures of your own bike?

Are you the chap with the black Planet X old logo frame who had a rear wheel rub at HH the other week?

Glad to hear I've got the correct size - I'll slide the saddle forward a bit and see stem wise, might get a 80/90mm to replace the 100mm.

I was already seeing myself trying to return it / resell it so thanks for the advice!

Vince

^ That was me.

I'm 5.8, and ride a small... The medium sounds about right for you. My track psoition is a fair bit more stretched out than my road bike position. You get used to it eventually.

Hi, I'm also 5'10" (31" inside leg) and recently spent an awful long time deciding between the small and medium Planet X. I went with the small in the end, partly because it has the same top tube length as my PX road bike (which is a medium) but also because from my limited experience of using the hire bikes at HH I've preferred the feel of the 54 rather than 56.

That being said, I calculated that there's not an awful lot in it and I could have achieved exactly the same position on the medium. I went with the 110mm handlebar stem rather than the standard 90mm specified, and have the spacers as they came delivered (i.e. one spare above the clamp). So the small maybe offers more options for an aggressive position but the reach can be sorted according to which stem you use.

If it's any help here's what it looks like, except I made some more precise measurements after the photo was taken and the saddle is now about an inch lower. (The 't' in Planet on the seat stem just reaches the clamp.) Having adjusted the saddle to the same pedal height as my road bike, the reach is now marginally longer on this, with about an extra couple of inches drop.

Unfortunately as yet I've not had a chance to give it a test ride. All I can do is spend the next few weeks looking at it till they've put the track down!

Thanks for that PhilHub, I'll wait until the weather clears and I'll hit the road to tweat the set up before HH reopens!

I considered having a trundle up and down the cul-de-sac down the road on mine but I'm paranoid about puncturing one of the tubs. It's a bit messy down there. Still have memories of unstitching, stitching, gluing etc. from when I used to run tubs on my road bike 20+ years ago. Right old palaver! I'll save it for the new track.

I am about the same height (5.10) and have a 56, the 56 used to be called large.

Anyway you have the correct size.

Maybe you need to adjust the seat forward, bars and spacers, or a shorter stem?

Are the pictures of your own bike?

These are pictures of the actual bike - spanking new Planet X Track Limited Edition - the bike is definitively a tad too big and I would feel more comfortable on a small one (54x54).
I'll put an ad on the track bits for sale then into the main classified forum - not sure how much to ask for it since this exact spec sells for about £1K.
I'll think of a price shortly and get that sorted asap!
Vince

Can't you return it for a smaller one?

Got back in touch with them and no return on this one since it was an ex display bike.
They still have a couple for sale here:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/c/q/ex-display-bikes/ex-display-time-trial-and-track-bikes

I think it might be worth at least giving it a test run on the track before you make a definite decision. You did pick up a bit of a bargain! In fact I'm confident I'll be down HH as soon as it reopens so you're welcome to try mine for size/comparison.

Let's do that - the bike was a bit of a bargain indeed, it'll be a shame to lose out! I'll check the HH progress online and I'll be back there as soon as it reopens.

@Vince,
Mate, at 179cm height, maybe 80(?) kilos weight and fit , the 56cm top tube along with a 9cm stem should suit you fine. The only thing that you should take good care off is the height of the stem so that you don't hurt your back.
And give time to your body to get used of it.

I'm just about to order one of these in a large, i am just a scrape under 6"5. Does anyone have any advice on what stem length to go for?

And i know i should probably give some further details, i'll try to get a tape measure out tonight to work it out.

Hi, I'm also 5'10" (31" inside leg) and recently spent an awful long time deciding between the small and medium Planet X. I went with the small in the end, partly because it has the same top tube length as my PX road bike (which is a medium) but also because from my limited experience of using the hire bikes at HH I've preferred the feel of the 54 rather than 56.

That being said, I calculated that there's not an awful lot in it and I could have achieved exactly the same position on the medium. I went with the 110mm handlebar stem rather than the standard 90mm specified, and have the spacers as they came delivered (i.e. one spare above the clamp). So the small maybe offers more options for an aggressive position but the reach can be sorted according to which stem you use.

If it's any help here's what it looks like, except I made some more precise measurements after the photo was taken and the saddle is now about an inch lower. (The 't' in Planet on the seat stem just reaches the clamp.) Having adjusted the saddle to the same pedal height as my road bike, the reach is now marginally longer on this, with about an extra couple of inches drop.

Unfortunately as yet I've not had a chance to give it a test ride. All I can do is spend the next few weeks looking at it till they've put the track down!

I would love to see the picture posted by @PhilPub but it doesnt actually show

Hi there! Not sure what happened to the original but I think it was this one:

And one with me on it for comparison:

It's perfectly comfortable set up the way it is, and in theory the option of lowering the bars is useful, but in hindsight I'd probably get the medium size if I was buying again, to get the same position with no/fewer spacers.

I'm just about to order one of these in a large, i am just a scrape under 6"5. Does anyone have any advice on what stem length to go for?

I'm 6"5, I have a 140mm stem due to the top tube on the PX being 58cm but feeling shorter.

(Just spotted how old this thread is)

I have one and been riding the 56 Medium for a while and absolutely love it. Im 5'9 by the way. I think the 54 would have felt a bit to compact for me. Its a massively agressie ride, and they have 650 forks at planet x so I have been riding that for an even more agressive riding position.

I'm new here and I don't want to start an extra thread so i'll just ask here

Are there any tall riders (195cm / 6"5) riding a planet x pro carbon in large?
Does the frame fit you? Any idea on other frames for tall guys (Inseam 94cm)?

Yes, as it says in my post above. You have a longer inseam than me, I find the PX frame a little short at 58cm for my upper body, I'm using a 140mm stem now which is much better (Long upper body and shorter legs). The saddle is on its lowest point on my bike, so you'll have no issue with height and leg length.

If you're ordering a new bike, go for the £999 as the wheels are worth the extra £300 IMO and make sure you check the crank length and stem length (these can be changed at no extra cost).

As for other frames, Dolan make the DF3 / DF4 in a 59cm top tube, or there is Serenity if you're willing to pay big money.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Planet-X-Track-TOR-Carbon-Fibre-700c-Track-Bike-Frameset-Medium-Black-/291155463810

The new Planet X track frame is available.

This was to be expected really since they sold they 'old' frames at a lower price over the last couple of months.

Suprisingly, it is for sale on eBay and not advertised on their website...

They are on their website now, eBay is far cheaper.

+

From their website:

*Planet X Track T.O.R. Frameset *
Designed specifically for longer track efforts like Pursuits and Time Trials, the Track T.O.R. sits alongside the Pro Carbon Track to form a formidable roster of speed machines for riders who like to turn left.
Frame weight 1.65kg (medium)
High Modulus T700 Carbon monocoque construction
Aero carbon seatpost featuring dual-bolt seatclamp with adjustable layback
Seat Tube and Down Tube aerodynamically sculpted around wheels

The frame weights the same as the 'old' one, IIRC mine was circa 2kg for a medium frame + seatpost. 2.4kg with the forks & headset. So not exactly light.

And once again the sizing is 'unconventional' like the old one.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/images/px/bike_frame_geometry.gif

Medium effective TT is 557mm