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

[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