So how do you know...

[kelownagirl]

... if you have long/short legs, arms, torso etc? Well, I think I can figure out the legs - mine are not long - but I'm really not sure about my other proportions. What are they supposed be? Is there an "average" ratio or legs, to arms, to torso?

thanks,

barb

[mimitabby]

that's a good question. get on a bike that you can stand over easily and put your hands on the hoods. Is it too far of a stretch? Your torso/arms are probably short.
I know my arms aren't short because if i put my arms out straight (crucifixion position) they measure from fingertip to fingertip more than my height.
SO... since I can straddle the bike and my arms aren't short it MUST be my torso.
We are probably perfectly proportioned, btw, but bikes are built for men who are built differently!

[SadieKate]

I really don't know statistical data that would give you this info. Over the years, I just know based on clothing. My height is in the petite clothing range, but petite pants are always too short and misses' tops are too long. Therefore, I must have long legs and a short torso. Like mimi, I've always "been told" (so therefore it must be true) that fingertip to fingertip measurement is usually the same as your height. Well, I'm a hair over 63 inches but my fingertip measurement is 66 (just proof that I'm evolved from a monkey).

I've never actually put this tool to the test, but it might help you. Remember that bikes are all measured differently so, as an example, a 51cm in one brand may be similar in size to a 49 cm in another. That's why I always take my trusty tape measure to the shop with me, but then I know my optimum cockpit length and saddle height. If you are short, you need to pay attention to the seattube angle. Some of these really small bikes don't have the right geometry to get your knee back over the pedal properly. http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/default.asp

[Shimpie]

I have a long torso and short legs. I only shop in the petite section for pants and have never bothered with petite tops (except for long sleeves). Sometimes regular tops are too short in the torso, but then too long in the sleeves.

I've also noticed the a difference when I sit next to taller women. The height difference isn't there and I can talk with them eye to eye. However. once we stand up, the height difference is very evident. What's even stranger is when I sit next to my coworker who is of the same height. She has a short torso and long arms/legs. When we sit down, I'm taller!

[SadieKate]

Also, I have to push the seat back in the car to drive but had trouble seeing over the hood (until they made seats that adjust upward, thank goodness).

[emily_in_nc]

It would be nice if there were a chart somewhere that showed height vs. inseam ratios and what that meant about whether you have long legs for your height, or average, or short. Once you know that, you could figure out whether your torso was short, average, or long for your height.

I'm kinda like SadieKate in that petite pants are too short for me - but only sometimes, and miss tops are sometimes too long for me - but sometimes petite tops are too short. So, I don't really know. I guess we could compare against each other for a very rough estimate.

Anyone else in the 5'2" range and know your inseam? I'm 5'2 and a half" and have a 28" inseam by my husband's measurement, but I am not sure that's right because I have to buy pants with 28.5" inseams, no shorter or they're too short. I have no idea how my inseam compares to others who are 5'2"-ish. I did see someone posting here who was either 5' or 5'1" with a 30" inseam - she's gotta be all legs compared to me.

Anyone care to offer any data points?

Thanks!
Emily

[SadieKate]

One more data point from me. I haven't had someone else measure my inseam but by using the good old method of a book and yard stick, my inseam appears to be 31" at 5' 3 3/8". Arms, legs and boobs, that's me.

[mimitabby]

One more data point from me. I haven't had someone else measure my inseam but by using the good old method of a book and yard stick, my inseam appears to be 31" at 5' 3 3/8". Arms, legs and boobs, that's me.

you paint quite a picture!

[SadieKate]

Just found an interesting discussion of how to determine top tube and seat tube lengths.

http://www.cptips.com/bkefit.htm

[Shimpie]

I'm 5'0" with a 28" pant inseam.

[MomOnBike]

All the women in my family have long legs for their height. My 6' 2" Dad & I rode the same stirrups back in my horsey days. We had to let them out a notch or two for Mother.

Also, I reflexively add about 2" to all pant legs & shirt sleeves when I'm sewing. Habit, doncha know?

I guess I could also say that my spine is short compared to the rest of me, 'cause I could never get the reach on my upright bike anywhere right.

[mimitabby]

Just found an interesting discussion of how to determine top tube and seat tube lengths.

http://www.cptips.com/bkefit.htm

from that website:
http://www.cptips.com/bkefit.htm

Wind-tunnel tests have proven that being narrow on the bike is much more important than being low. Most of us can improve efficiency the most simply by keeping legs and arms in line with our bodies, not splayed into the wind. A handlebar no wider than the shoulders is key.

yay!!

[mimitabby]

that same website has a step by step deal which shows you what bikes they are selling that fit you. You have to measure your self though.. I came out fitting an orange Pegoretti big leg Emma!!
for ONLY 3000 bucks!!! Orange is my favorite color too :(
But it was fun to do. Looks like my handlebars are too small.
Anyone want to swap my 36cm bars for 38 cm bars?
I'm not serious about swapping, I don't know how we could do that without 2 bikes being out of commission for weeks.

[Lenusik]

I also had to change my bars to 39 inch. My legs are long and torso is short, but my shoulder are fairly wide and arms are long too.

If you find a good fitter, he/she should know enough about physiology. I started on a man's bike. There was nothing we could do with it, no twicking was helpful enough. I had to get a WSD. So, find a good fitter who knows what he is measuring.

[Kathi]

I second the good fitter, I know my arms are short, my sleeves are always way to long. What I didn't know is that I also have a short femur. The fitters I have worked with confirmed the short arms and pointed out the short femur.
Torso, I'm not sure, probably a longer torso, whenever I buy a dress with a waistline it hits closer to my ribs than my hips. My jersery pockets are halfway up my back, hard to reach so I don't use them.

[MauiRockHopper]

I have a long torso and short legs. I only shop in the petite section for pants and have never bothered with petite tops (except for long sleeves). Sometimes regular tops are too short in the torso, but then too long in the sleeves.

I've also noticed the a difference when I sit next to taller women. The height difference isn't there and I can talk with them eye to eye. However. once we stand up, the height difference is very evident. What's even stranger is when I sit next to my coworker who is of the same height. She has a short torso and long arms/legs. When we sit down, I'm taller!

I wonder if the amount of butt padding you have makes a difference. I think it does since I have a J-Lo bootie when I sit down all that meat will lift me up higher than someone with a boney built and longer torso?!?! That's why I read some fitters make you sit with your back against the wall, legs straight out and they measure from the floor to the head. But then you have the flexibility issue and length of arms. So many factors for a seemingly simple thing as a bike. I am still shopping around and good idea to take the tape measure with you because often times the bike isn't marked on their sizes and the salespeople are often times busy or clueless.

[Eden]

hmmm I think I have really weird proportions....

shortish torso with very short arms. Every long sleeve shirt, jacket I have, the arms are too long, but I think they tend to be OK in the torso 28.5/29ish inseam, 5'0" tall overall

Long femurs, but short tibia - my feet *never* touch the ground when I sit in a chair