Am I too short for my new bike? Pls help

[NurseRichelle]

Today, I purchased my first road bike and picking it up on friday. I got the Bianchi C2C via Nirone 7 in black/red. Here's the rundown. I'm 4'11" tall. I had a difficult time finding the perfect bike without having to break my budget. What I found was (now I may not have been looking in the right places) that the companies that specialized in making smaller frames smaller than 42cm were too expensive. They averaged about 2000-3000 dollars. My Bianchi is a 44cm. When I'm standing over my bike I don't have that 1 inch clearance some say I should have. Is this going to be a problem? Safety hazards?

[pumpkinpony]

On a road bike? I don't have any clearance over my top tube on my primary ride. The other has a WSD frame, and I have just a touch of clearance but not an inch. Just tilt it a little to the side when you stop/start.

[indysteel]

I don't have much clearance over my road bike's top tube either. I haven't hurt myself yet.....:p

[Eden]

Clearance is not the most pressing issue you are likely to have.... I'm 5' even, so I know how hard it is to find a properly fitting bike. Unless you are quite long in the torso/arm, at your size, I would think it very likely that the bike is also too long for you.

Do you find that you have to stretch to reach the handlebars? (can you have a comfortable bend in your elbows or are your arms pretty much straight out) Did they have to put a ridiculously short stem on it (like a 50 or 60cm) to allow you to comfortably brake and shift?

I'm surprised that the shop steered you to that bike..... there are smaller models, usually designed for women in the same price range. 44 is generally the smallest size for anyone but custom makers (or kids frames), but not all 44's are made the same (the only mfg that I know who does a stock 42 is Pinarello, and that's just the way they measure, their "42" has the same geometry as other's 44's.....) A bike like the Specialized Dolce in a 44 is smaller all around with a greater stand over clearance because it is a compact frame. Even Bianchi makes a women's model, though their lower end is a bit more expensive than the bike you purchased.

[Cataboo]

If the only thing that leads you to think it is too big for you is the standover height, I wouldn't worry about that.

[tulip]

How does it feel when you ride it? Can you reach the brake levers comfortably with your elbows slightly bent? The shop should not sell you a bike that doesn't fit you--did they put you up on the trainer to take a look at the fit? Not a whole professional fitting (although that would be ideal) but at least an educated look other than you just taking a spin around the parking lot.

Hopefully the bike fits. If it doesn't, you might consider returning it. Riding a too-big bike is uncomfortable and you won't want to ride.

[NurseRichelle]

The ride overall on the bike is pretty comfortable. I do have a longer torso as compared to my inseam. I don't find myself stretching for the handle bars. I have a comfortable bend at the elbows. The shop owner did suggest a straight handle bar at first, so that I can shift gears easier with my short stubby fingers. As I get used to being on a bike again, the owner of the shop will swap out the pedals for cleats and change the handle bars free of charge.
Being a new rider, I think my shoulders and hands are getting a workout because I'm so tense. I find myself gripping the handle bars so tight especially when going down hill. I haven't been on a bike in over 16 years! I just have to keep riding to build that confidence up. I love the sport and I especially enjoy riding alongside my pops! He's been riding for over 40 plus years. Although, my dad reassured me that not having that one inch clearance was fine; I just couldn't shake what a random gentleman said to me outside the shop. He said, "You should have a one inch clearance just in case you need to make an EMERGENCY stop. You feet should be flat on the ground when standing over your bike."

[tulip]

Sounds like your dad has a good head for bike things.

Strengthen your core to help with the death grip. And relax. It's supposed to be fun!

You might want to consider smaller brake levers. Ask the shop about them.

Have fun on your new bike!

[Biciclista]

years. Although, my dad reassured me that not having that one inch clearance was fine; I just couldn't shake what a random gentleman said to me outside the shop. He said, "You should have a one inch clearance just in case you need to make an EMERGENCY stop. You feet should be flat on the ground when standing over your bike."

I'd go with your father. I rode a bike for years that I couldn't straddle like that..

[FreudianSlip]

I just wanted to chip in because we're basically the same height (4'11") and I had the same concerns. I'm riding a Trek 7.3FX, so it's not a road bike, but I have no standover clearance either. At first it really unnerved me, but I don't even notice it anymore. I've only been riding since November, so I'm no expert. But the lack of clearance hasn't been a huge issue for me.

Now, that death grip on the other hand... I'm still trying to shake that off. :p Exercising the core does help a lot.

[Michelle T]

It's been awhile since you posted, but I had to chime in as I faced the same issue three months ago. I'm 4'10" and had a terrible time finding a bike that fit. I looked at a Trek 7.5 WSD, but was worried because I didn't have the 1-inch clearance. I bought the bike; I've been riding and have had to stop short a couple of times. The clearance is not an issue.

[Cataboo]

standover clearance is a bit more of an issue for guys than females, I think :)

[Tokie]

It's fun to read the blog "Small things considered" http://www.kerry-litka.com/main/wordpress/ by Kerry Litka, a former (female) pro cyclist for Terry. She is very petite too. ("freakishly small since 1976") tokie (at 5'1.5" I tower over you guys, and am still surprised when people refer to me as short. My motto is "being tall is overrated")

[socalgal59]

Ideally, industry standards say there should be between 2-4 inches of clearance between you and the top tube. But proper fit is determined by more than the clearance between you and the top tube. In truth, the key is not how much clearance you have when you stand over the bike, but whether you properly fitted in the riding position on the bike.

Proper fitted riding position is key as that determines how much force you can efficiently deliver to the pedals. Moreover, proper fitted riding position is paramount to your level of comfort--which affects your efficiency and power in the long term as you ride. The more comfortable you are, the more efficient you ride; the less comfortable you are, the less efficient you ride.

You and the bike are in contact at three points:

Hands: handlebars

Feet: pedals

Gluteus Maximus: saddle

Where your knees, chin and shoulders line up over the bike, will be completely different from some your same height; accordingly, someone you same height, will have the handlebars, pedals, and saddles adjusted differently. So it’s imperative that the bike be fitted to you. Ideally you want a certified specialists to fit the bike to you. If the store owner isn’t a certified specialist, check around. Yes, will have to pay for the service at another store since you didn’t purchase the bike there, but in the long run it’s worth it. One of the ill-effects of riding a bike not properly fitted is injury.

[bellarosa]

It's always a stressful not knowing the exact size of bike to purchase. Fit is everything. If you don't have a proper fit, you will be doing yourself harm in the long run . . . .no matter how good of a deal you got on your current ride.

I would be happy to send you over one of our fit forms and see how close you are to the proper fit/size. Let me know if you are interested and I would be happy to help.