Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 Touring Bike

In response to Damon's comments, my main point is that while real cyclist agreed to send me a 56 (after I returned the 59), they sent me a 53 without even running it by me. Under no one's best guess, but for the person who switched the order (again, unconsulted), am I a 53. I posted on bike forums and called the manufacturer to verify I wasn't way off base thinking a 59 was too big and a 53 too small. A couple of guys said maybe I could be a 59 if I swapped to a much shorter stem, and everyone else (the majority) said a 59 in this particular bike was too big, but everyone unequivocally said a 53 was too small (including Rocky Mountain itself).

When I first called I expressed my own hesitation about ordering a bike online (and in fact I only considered buying a bike online because it was backcountry.com and they have always provided outstanding customer service to me over the years) the salesman assured me the 59 was the right size and did not suggest I take any additional measurements or anything. But then when I called back and gave the same measurements (once explaining I had received a 59, and once calling without saying I had already paid for a bike) the next two salesmen equally unequivocally said I was 56. No one ever suggested I was 53, yet that is what I picked up Monday night (and sent back since it was like a circus bike for me). If any of the salesman had ever said to me "you really should do further research and decide which size you are" rather than assuring me they knew the right size based on my two measurements, I would have done further research. Again, I am getting the 56 shipped to me now, and realcyclist is paying for all the shipping back and forth, but in my mind, the inconvenience of having to go back and forth to a warehouse a ways from my house to get the wrong bikes and ship them back, and not having a bike, which I use for commuting, for probably at least a month (I haven't received the 56 yet), was probably not worth the savings. That being said, realcyclist is correcting the problem and readily admitted they never should have shipped me a 53 without even consulting me and they are now getting me the right bike.

I'm really probably just posting this so if someone else is buying a bike here and is uncertain on the size, they know not to take what the gear experts say as accurate, but to verify themselves, even if you are assured there is no need to do so. Of course, you can't control whether they decide to switch the size without even talking to you, but I imagine after they have spent this much on shipping bikes back and forth to me, that particular problem probably won't arise again.

Unfortunately perfect sizing is not something you can do on the phone. Many online retailers won’t even tell you what size to get, and others require you take a dozen measurements to get as close and possible.
I assume the gear experts were doing the best they could. I am the same size as you and usually ride 57 - 59cm bikes. But every bike is different so it’s a moving target. This bike here measures like a true 59, but it obviously has compact geometry but the way the top tube is not horizontal. The sizing chart states it have both a 59cm horizontal top and seat tube measurements, if these are not virtual top and seat measurements the bike is more like a 61cm.

The easiest way to fit a bike is take one you like to fit of and write down the actual top and seat tube measurements, account for slop if it has compact geometry. Then when shopping use this measure to compare other bikes.

This is still a dirty estimate because vendor measure in different ways but will likely get you close.

It is always good to get expert fitting if you plan to ride a lot.

I ran out of characters -I called up Rocky Mountain in Canada, and they told me I was definitely not a 53, but I was a 56, and never should have been sold a 53. In the end, Realcyclist admitted they never should have sent the 53 without asking, and are paying for the shipping of the 53 back and sending me the 56. Ultimately, I am getting a nice bike for a nice price, and realcyclist is owning up to their errors, but I have to say I am disappointed in the service I have received, mainly because I have been without a bike for a lot longer than I had ever planned - I wouldn't have bought it here had I known it would likely take over a month to get here, especially since I've been forced to commute by bus in the interim. That said, I've spent a lot of money on the backcountry websites over the years, and this is the first time that I've run into any sort of hassle.

Nobody ever got dropped because of the bike they were on. And I am pretty sure our women's state championship was won on the same bike as you already own. Try cyclo-club.com and get that fitness straightened out.

For this bike, I would guess a 59. I'm six feet, and the 59 was too big for me, but at 6'3" it's probably in your ballpark.

I am 5'9" @ 185lbs....my frame is a 50" Rocky Mountain Sherpa. I had a Trek Madone and the 56" fit me there. Key point, go get professionally fitted. The unique geometry of each bike can make an enormous difference on which frame you end up with. Hope that helps.

HI again,
Which one did you buy?, the Sherpa or the LHT? My Sherpa came in this morning and I am going in the morning to get the final touch fittings and put my "stuff" on it. I have to say that the blue paint job is great. It is a real beauty. The finish is much nicer than the LHT. I can't wait to go on some shake down cruises. I will post some pictures in the next week or so.

I bought this one, figuring it seems like a good deal and hopefully will be a good ride. I tend to like most bikes for different reasons, so I'm hopeful I like this one too. When I get it, I'll post what I think.

Hi again,

What ended up being the deal maker for me were 3 things:
a. Fit, Fit, Fit, spend the money to get professional fit no matter what bike you get.
b. Honestly assess what type of riding you will be doing.....go with the components, geometry, location etc that best fits those criteria.
C. How many roles and how much can you change out for different types of riding on the bike. For me that is a factor. Everything from tarmac commuting to work etc to the possibility of village transport in India. How much can I change the bike to accommodate the role I am asking of it?

D. Oh yea, I almost forgot.........How much fun is it to ride...that is subjective combining all the factors together.

I ended up with the Sherpa after all that sifting through the factors.

Good luck!

I'm having trouble with this - I'm thinking I may go with the sherpa and pay $75 to get fitted at a local shop if it doesn't feel right when I get it. Other alternative is to go with the Surly at a local bike shop. With the sherpa on sale, the cost would probably be about the same. Tough decision.

Jim here again.

Well, I did it.....went to get fitted today, checked the fit for the Sherpa, LHT and the Trek520. Looked at the wheels, opinions, gruppo's, etc etc etc.....yes even the colors.......(drum roll please).......The Sherpa has been ordered in a 50 frame and will be in next week........YEA!

I was concerned with the Sti vs bar end brakes......well, I can retro fit the bar ends if and when I deem it necessary without a hassle. Meantime I have the convenience of the sti's.

I decided on the 700c over the 26's because most of my traveling will be on tarmac at this point, commuting during the week with some fun on trails on the weekends.

If and when India comes in the picture I will get really durable rims, tires, tubes, chains and xtra's if need be. Even then, it is riding around and between a couple of villages and town.

I like the ride of the 853 steel over aluminum, more forgiving and weight is not a problem with this quality steel. Mind you, this is coming off a new Trek Madone 5.2 which is a brilliant carbon bike in it's own right.

If I ever do more dedicated self sufficient touring, I don't think this bike needs very much change over, slightly lower chain ring and or slightly higher cassette.

It can handle bigger more durable tires than stock for the really tough going, all but the worst of dedicated expedition touring. I don't see myself doing that being 56 and still with kids at home, job etc. Like I said, daily commuting and weekend outings. I think this bike is really good for those purposes and with a little switching of wheels and gears it can hold it's own even on some of the club rides around here.

I also like the hand built aspect (frame and wheels).

Besides all that, I worked with a really competent knowledgeable bike fitter at the LBS. INVALUABLE INVESTMENT. So the Sherpa is going to fit like the proverbial glove.

Only change out immediately will be putting my B-17 Brooks saddle on and my Shimano clipless pedels on instead of the cages.

And yes I like the color....dark blue. Did I mention that already?

I am excited!

The tubing on the Rocky is nicer, its a little stronger and stiffer. But they are very comparable with their parts. I agree with Jim, go with the one that fits better. The rocky has a little more relaxed geometry too with its more slacked top tube. Both are great bikes.

Write your answer here..I am exactly in your shoes. I going to get fitted tomorrow morning. A real toss up either way. It might just come down to which fits best.....also, I might end up in India for long stretches so that might decide for me.....26 inch wheels vs 700's

You could change the handlebars to either North Road, Touring, or Trekking bars regardless if you buy the Sherpa 30 or a Hybrid. The handlebars that usually come on Hybrid bikes are flat bars, not ideal for long rides or trips and you would still be bent over as if you were 'riding on the hoods' on a drop handlebar.

The longer wheelbase of the Sherpa 30 provides plenty of heel clearance if you mount panniers and more comfort, plus can add fenders. Hard to tell if the Sherpa has rack mounts on the seat stays from the pics. But the exact cost to change it over is unknown if you ask the shop to do it for you. Different brake levers, shims, or new stem, longer cabling, etc etc 'may' be needed. In the end you will have a bike that fits your needs/requirements.

You may want to consider a hybrid bike because the positioning is usually quite a bit more upright. I also have seen people with similar problems use adjustable stems that can be easily adjusted to bring the body to a pretty upright position. Here is a link: http://ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=98293

In all honesty, if your neck problems are permanent and you plan on riding further than 20 miles a ride or more that 6 hours a week you may want to be looking at recumbent bicycles. Even with a more upright position if you spending a lot of time on the bike your neck will probably be aggravated. I have a coworker with a similar issue and the recumbent helped her out a lot.