my new bike?

[Antaresia]

So, I got a new bike today.

I was fit for it, but it still feels way too big. I can't stop it without almost dumping it - so I googled "standover height" and it looks like, for commuters, there should be an inch or three from the top tube to your crotch. There is NO space between my crotch and top tube, and I might add, I'm pretty sore there from the ride home.

It's a beautiful bike, but I feel like I'm going to fall off it. I can't even start on a hill at all. I'm also having a problem with the breaks, they seem to big for my hands and I can hardly get any leverage when I'm riding the hoods. But I'm not sure there is anything that can be done about that : /

So help me, did I get an ill fitting bike? Will I get used to this? All my riding experience right now is 5 months on a 30 year old mixte, so I have no idea if I should trust my LBS guy or if I was used as a dumping ground for out dated stock.

[Ered_Lithui]

I don't think standover height is considered a make-or-break for a road bike. I don't really have any on my bikes (but I can still stand flat-footed over the bar without discomfort). If your nether regions are sore after riding, you should try changing the tilt of the saddle either up or down. If that doesn't work, you may need a new saddle. Some saddles are just uncomfortable!

As for brake reach, you can get spacers glued in. They're basically wedges that fit into the brake hinge and bring the levers closer in so you can reach them. I have these on my cross bike: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...emId=0&eid=367. They make a huge difference in my ability to brake.

I can't tell from looking at your bike whether it's the right size, but I hope those suggestions help. How tall are you, what is your inseam, what's the model of the bike, and what size is it? Those numbers could help us tell if it sounds like a reasonable size. Good luck!

[Antaresia]

good to know! I'll look into the spacers.

I found this on the Specialized web site too:

If your crotch touches the frame, the bike is too big for you. Don't even ride the bike around the block. A bike which you ride only on paved surfaces and never take off-road should give you a minimum standover height clearance of two inches

http://specialized.custhelp.com/app/...bicycle-sizing

IDK what to think.
The guys also upgraded my parts form Tigra (what I ordered) to 105 at no extra cost. I want to think they're a good lbs.

[laura*]

There is NO space between my crotch and top tube, ...

Here is a picture of me on the bike.

From that picture, it looks like you have short legs and a long torso. This means you should consider men's and unisex bikes and not WSD bikes.

Also from the picture, the top tube and downtube almost touch at the head tube of the frame. This means the bike has a small frame - perhaps the smallest this model comes in.

Possibly any bikes (carried by that LBS) with smaller frames will be WSD. That means they will be much too short (saddle to handlebars) for you. The LBS may have fitted you on this bike to deal with reach issues.

If you were to put on some sneakers or riding shoes, then you would have more top tube clearance.

Your soreness from riding would be a saddle issue, not a standover issue. Your saddle may need to be adjusted, or maybe you need an entirely different saddle.

[laura*]

what's the model of the bike, and what size is it?

Elsewhere she mentioned that she bought a Soma Double Cross. One detail about cyclocross frames is that the bottom bracket is a bit higher than usual. That means the saddle is the same bit higher when adjusted to the proper height.

[Antaresia]

I don't think it's a wsd, it's a soma double cross. I just measured the top tube and it looks like it's the 50cm size.

I'll take better pictures tomorrow, it's dark out now.

And my inseam is around 30", though I'm not sure how accurate my self-measurement was.

I guess I'll just try to get used to it more, and maybe lower the seat a little. I'm not brave enough to ride it to work tomorrow, so it'll be homework.

[ridebikeme]

As someone who also just built a doublecross, I can say that it is NOT a WSD frame. I think my first recommendation is if you are not comfortable take it back to your LBS, while people here can give you suggestions, that is where the information ends, Your LBS can "see" you on the bike, and make changes according to what you communicate to them.

I think another thing to consider is that you mentioned that you are coming from a mixte, and one that you have been riding for quite some time. My point to all of this is that any new bike that is not a mixte, is going to feel completely different to you.( you mentioned the "big" feeling)If you are still feeling a bit uncomfortable, then definitely take it back to your LBS, obviously they can make adjustments for you and perhaps you can start a great relationship with them, where you'll feel comfortable asking these same questions in the future.

Brakes: while you are there, definitely have them look at the reach on your levers.. as others have mentioned, there are spacers that can help you with any reach issues.

Lastly, the Douoble Cross is a great frame, one intended to be an all around frame... it either can be used for self contained touring, cyclocross, and your everyday rides. Enjoy it and have fun!!



http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[WindingRoad]

Antaresia I really think you need to let the shop know how uncomfortable you are on this bike, sooner rather than later. If you can't 'really' clear the bar that's a big problem for commuting. I'm sure its an awesome bike but fit is everything on you being comfy on it.

They may need to order you a smaller frame size.

[laura*]

I just measured the top tube and it looks like it's the 50cm size.

Did you measure the top tube to be 50cm? Or did you measure the top tube, look it up in Soma's geometry chart, and found a match with the 50cm frame size?

FYI: For better or worse, bike frame sizes are specified by their seat tube length. A 50.5cm (actual) top tube is used in the 42cm Double Cross, which is also the smallest frame size. Whereas the 50cm Double Cross has a top tube of 53.5cm and a standover of 29.9 inches.

How well does the bike fit you in terms of reach? Are you stretching forward to the handlebars? Are they at a comfortable distance? Or do they feel awfully close? (This is a much better indicator of fit than standover clearance.)

How high is the saddle on your mixte?

With the step through nature of the mixte, you are far above the frame as you boost up to the saddle when starting. Now, with the nearly horizontal top tube, the frame is always there. You might need to establish different starting patterns for this bike.

[GLC1968]

If you do have short legs and a long torso, it might be the right sized bike even though you can barely clear it. I also have short legs and a long torso and if I am barefoot, I barely clear the top tube on any of my bikes. I have banged myself in the crotch by slipping on wet pavement when stopping my bike more times than I care to count.

As someone else mentioned, standover is not the critical dimension on bike fit. Top tube length is significantly more important. In order to get the right length cockpit on that particular bike, you may have to sacrifice standover clearance. If you can't straddle the bike at all, that's a problem. If it's touching you when you are barefoot (hard to tell from the photo), then it should be ok once you have shoes on.

When I was shopping for a tri bike, I had to rule out entire companies because the bikes were just too tall for me even though the saddle to bar length was correct.

And yes, if your crotch hurts, it's likely due to the saddle, not to the size of the bike. Even if the bike were to big, you would still be able to lower the saddle enough not to cause crotch pain anyway. I'd start shopping for a new saddle.

[Velocivixen]

Stand over height should be determined while wearing cycling shoes that you plan to wear, not barefooted. Secondly, reach is more important than stand over height, IMHO. Once the correct saddle height and fore/aft positions are set for efficient pedaling, then any reach issues can be addressed with changing stem lengths. You can also have the brake levers switched out for "compact reach" brake levers for smaller hands or some levers allow a shim. I changed out the brake levers on mine when they built it up.
Can you get a proper bike fitting?

[Antaresia]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I feel better about trying to get to know this twitchy beast.

I'll ride it around tonight, and down to the LBS tomorrow. Maybe I can work out some of the fit problems, and worst case scenario get mustache handlebars.

I still think it's funny I can go to store, get fitted for a custom bike, and still prefer the vintage beater I bought with no more thought than "it's pretty!".

[goldfinch]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I feel better about trying to get to know this twitchy beast.

I'll ride it around tonight, and down to the LBS tomorrow. Maybe I can work out some of the fit problems, and worst case scenario get mustache handlebars.

I still think it's funny I can go to store, get fitted for a custom bike, and still prefer the vintage beater I bought with no more thought than "it's pretty!".

It might just be because it isn't familiar yet. If I stood over my bike barefoot I'd barely have clearance too. With shoes I am fine. It works out for me just fine. There are no bikes for me where I would have a 2 or 3 inch clearance. I am happy with a couple of centimeters clearance when wearing my shoes. I tend to stop with a bit of a lean, dropping down my left foot and keeping my right on the pedal.

[Miranda]

Fwiw... Just at a glance, I personally think your saddle is a bit too high...

If your saddle is too high, you will have pelvis rocking back and forth while pedaling and likewise rocking pressure on your pubic bone soft tissue parts. Also, if you are rocking as you pedal, it makes it difficult to feel solid and keep your balance.

I'm long torso, short legs, just about like yours, and just did a stand over of my bikes. Bare foot, the top tube is just touching the soft tissue of the pubic bone. With shoes, I have a little clearance.

OK, here's what makes the difference in what I see in your saddle height, vs. mine...

If your pants are low cut and the waist band lays across your boney bump of your hip bone crest... that is where about the top of your saddle should be level for height. When I stand next to my bike, I can press the nose of the saddle right into my hip bone bump- about equal height.

Another check is as you are seated on the bike, and put your heel (with shoes you ride in) on the center of the pedal, your knee should be about locked out at the bottom of the stroke. When you move your foot forward, and put the ball of your foot on the pedal as you would to ride, you should have a slight bend, roughly 15-20degrees. OK, do not instinctively jam your heel down when the ball of your foot is on the pedal and think "I'm still knee locked out" because you do not actually pedal that way- usually your heel is slightly up (gives that bend) in motion.

Your knee position forward or backward (saddle fore or aft) should line up (with the saddle height set first) like a straight line from front of knee passing thru ball of foot, when pedals are at 9 & 3 o'clock.

Your top tube is naturally going to be shorter with a smaller frame, but you have alot options in terms of stem and bars to get comfy. If your old bike is comfy, take it in with the new bike and show the shop this is what makes my body happy. See what can be done with that.

Also, on balance, are the new bike tires skinnier width? Was the old bike smaller tires like a mtb? Or standard road bike 700c tires? You can switch tire width (up to a point) if this helps you get used to your new ride.

And yes, usually lighter, more performance oriented bikes, are more "twitchy" as they say. However, if the bike fits you, this should pass.

You and your machine should become one- the whole ride just disappearing underneath you. That is a piece of what cycling heaven is made of. Take that from someone who has had both cycling hell in a bike sold to me two frame sizes too big, to what I own now- heaven, fits like a glove.

Good Luck!

EDIT ADD: For the $ paid at the LBS, they should make it right. That is part of the point of what you pay for in the lbs price (that's a reputable shop, anyway).

[Antaresia]

okay, I'm home and tried getting on the bike again. There is no way this is right, I can hardly stay on standing still. My heel can't even reach the pedal when I'm sitting on the bike.

I think the guys at the LBS are assholes. Who would send me home on such a shitty fitting bike?! Part of me wants to refund the whole thing, because they're inattentive jerks who can't even spend 2 minutes to make sure a $2000 bikes fits properly. I almost fell, like, 4 times on the bike ride home but I thought it was just me, but no, I don't really think that anymore. SO MAD right now.


I wear the bandana under the helmet, I think the fuchsia/blue zebra print is pretty fabulous


close up of the above picture, cant get my heel on the pedal.



In this one you can see, I can get one foot on the ground with the tips of my toes, but not both. When I tried to stop on the road, I did the one-foot-lean-the-bike thing, but I almost dumped it out from under me a few times because the lean angle was too much.