Standover Height
Submitted by Jennifer on Sat, 09/04/2010 - 5:36pm
I'm in the process of shopping for my first road bike. I have a limited budget ~ $1,500 or so. And I'm short ~ 5' 2". I'm having a ball learning about bicycles and test riding some beautiful bikes. But, I'm having a hard time finding bikes that fit me that I can also standover without touching.
My question is this: how important is it that I don't touch the top tube at all when standing over the bike? A biker friend said I absolutely should have clearance, and the bike shop people say it's not that big of a deal if the bike fits me in other ways and is comfortable to ride.
What say you, experienced riders?
Thanks,
Jenn
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I have two bikes. One I can stand over easily and one I can't. (I can stand over it but it's a really tight fit.) I've managed to rack myself on both of them!
At the shop I bought my first bike at, the guy was adamant that he wouldn't raise the seat higher than I could still reach the peddles while sitting down. That was really annoying because my seat was clearly too low. I don't think it's necessary to be able to touch the ground while seated, but being able to hop off the bike without racking yourself every time is a definite plus.
I'm 5' 0.5" and I have one bike with an XS frame (it had to be ordered for me) that I feel is a bit too small for me now that I've stretched out a bit on the bike and one that I'm not sure the size of (it's a custom-build bike) but it's definitely slightly too large for me, but my bike guy was able to make it work.
At our size, it's going to be hard to find bikes right in the store. But ordering one shouldn't be a problem unless you are trying to buy last year's model to get the discount.
Thanks, Marie. I know just enough about bikes to be dangerous :-)
Sometimes I get the feeling that the bike shops just want to sell me a bike rather than work to get me on one that fits me.
I've narrowed it down to the Trek Lexa SLX (50 cm), a Specialized Dolce Elite (48cm), and a Felt ZW6 or ZW 75 in either petite or small ~ I haven't test-ridden that one yet.
I have a feeling it's going to come down to whether I like the Shimano 105 or the SRAM better!
I appreciate your input!
I've got the Specialized Dolce Elite! It's a great first bike but then I wanted something faster. Mine is 44cm and that's just too small for me.
hey girl!! Now, i'm on the opposite end of this issue (I'm 6' feet tall)...but I can share that stand-over height is one of several important elements to consider when you're bike-hunting.
The second important thing is WHO you talk with. Darn it if this doesn't make me want to bring some of the super cool peeps we are going to have at our national retreat in october straight to YOUR DOOR to help you! (We are having an expert bike fitter do fittings/a clinic for women at our conference on oct. 16)
So, since it sounds like we may not see you there, I would recommend listening to the advice you get HERE and being assertive in expressing what you know you need to get a correct bike for your needs. And with $1500 bux, you are going to get lots of interest from bike shops dudes who just want to sell a bike to a chick.
More comments to come...
Stay tuned,
T
Hey Jenn!
I am 5 foot and had the same issues. The few things that I learned was that the one most important thing is FIT. It you are fit right you will be comfortable and since you are on you bike peddaling most the time that is where you want to focus. I have a 48 top tube and in the aero position I am very comfortable (not reaching where my elbows are no longe at a 90 degree angle - I know you are getting a road bike but you may toss some clip ons on there). I have 650 wheels on mine. When I stand up it just hits there but I unclip as I slow and if you are gentle it is just fine. You just want to make sure if you are climbing you are just barely touching the top tube if not at all. That is important as you don't want to be hitting it when out of your saddle climbing hills.
Hope this helps a bit...to me it is fit..fit...fit...
I read this and it makes sense...
How to size your bike
1. With your shoes on, measure from your crotch to the floor to get your inseam length.
2. Find the stand-over height on the bicycle (verticle measurement of a bicycle frame from the horizontal center point of the top tube or "cross bar" to level ground.
3. For a road bike, the difference between your inseam length and the stand-over height should be around 1 inch.
I am 5'1" and I have a Womens Specific Giant TRC XXS and I love it (650 wheels). I got it many years ago when the price was around $1200 and in researching, it looks like you can't get that any more at that price but shop around and good luck!