standover fit question

[kathybiker]

I visited my LBS recently and stood over a bike that had more than an inch of space between my crotch and the top tube.

The salesman saw this and told me it wasn't enough room. On this basis alone, he said the bike wouldn't fit me.

I think the standover was fine. What do you think?

(There might be other reasons for the salesman discouraging me to buy that particular bike -- I don't really know.)

[canonsue]

I bet this salesman was tall. I just visited a LBS with a short salesman. His take is that you rarely need to flatfoot straddle a bike, you would normally tilt it when stopped. I think an inch is enough, but I am 5'3" and am used to this kind of thing. For me, the reach is more of a concern than top tube clearance, as long as I have some top tube clearance.

-Sue

[ny biker]

Standover fit is about how long your legs are. This is only one thing to consider when determining if a bike fits you.

[Cataboo]

An inch of standover is fine if the rest of the bike fits you. I'm 5'1, so on road bikes I tend to not have much standover at all.

If it's a mountain bike or a cyclocross bike, you need more than 1 inch of standover, however.

[kathybiker]

Thanks to Catriona, ny biker and canonsue for your helpful replies.

Sue, yes -- I also think reach is more of a concern than standover, once you know you can clear the top tube.

From what I've read elsewhere, it seems that getting the bike to fit one's upper body is trickier.

Sheldon Brown thinks top tube length is more essential to sizing than stem length. This newbie thinks that makes a lot of sense. ( See: "Revisionist Theory of Bicycle Sizing" http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html ).

I was also reading about a fit system called Retul that sounds exotic and as though it would be accurate -- http://www.bikefit.com/docs/RetulSummary2008.pdf

A Retul representative in my city spoke with me today, but I doubt that I'll plunk down the $300 price of their fitting.

He said their system would give me information I could take to a bike manufacturer, and that I could then ask the manufacturer whether they'd have something for me.

The Retul rep was a little vague; I'm guessing their results enable you to specify what bike measurements you need, such as your ideal top tube length, seat tube angle, etc.

I've read posts here and elsewhere on the web from many people who've bought bikes that ended up not fitting them.

There really ought to be more standard, accurate and affordable ways of getting a proper bike fit.

Shoe stores have those chrome and black metal foot measuring devices for your feet. Bike stores ought to have their own special gizmos for upper and lower body fit on a bike.

And getting a proper bike fit shouldn't be a big expensive ordeal, but a simple thing a sales person helps you with as a matter of course.

That's my two cents worth, at any rate.

[kathybiker]

Thanks for your replies!

[TrekTheKaty]

I feel like this has changed a lot over the years. My current road bike is 2" taller than my 10 year old hybrid. I have about an inch standover. I can stop comfortably but usually tip it for everything else.

If you really want the bike, go back and tell him it's fine and change the subject with other questions. Truthfully, I'd take my business elsewhere. I finally found an LBS that doesn't treat me like a silly girl--just keep looking.