Looking to buy a road bike in Los Angeles area, help?

[Koronin]

You are correct but....

What I hadn't realized until now is that the alloy Synapse has a standover of 71.6cm but the carbon version standover is 69.8cm.

http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng...ns-Alloy-5-105

I was wrong about the Giant Avail, it is even higher

My fuzzy mind seems to recall there are other options with 69-70cm of standover - particularly if you have room to go 70cm

One option would be the Trek 3 series carbon frame, which unfortunately does not come with a 43cm size.

Hopefully we can agree that if your standover height is 69cm or less you have very few options in mass produced frames.

@Brigitte031 good luck in your quest for a new road bike, there have been some great suggestions for you

We can most definitely agree that there are very few options for a standover height of 69cm or less.

[Bluetree]

Reach (top tube length) and the ability to achieve good knee position are much more important on a road bike.

I agree, Eden. TT length is always the first thing I look for.

I've had a few bikes that gave me a serious wedgie but fit and felt awesome in motion – my fixie is a perfect example (I just track stand as much as possible). Bikes are made for riding... not standing over. Besides, you don't need both feet on the ground. All you need is one foot on the ground and the other clipped in around the 12 o'clock position, or slightly in front.

I think having sufficient clearance is important for newer riders. There's a learning curve and feeling comfortable is essential to progress. But I also think that the more experience people get, the less relevant standover will become.

[TxDoc]

Hi,
I second the advice of visiting Cinergy - wonderful shop and awesome customer service.

[Owlie]

Hi,
I second the advice of visiting Cinergy - wonderful shop and awesome customer service.

I was very confused for about ten seconds.

[TxDoc]

I was very confused for about ten seconds.

Hee-hee, sorry about the typo, it was supposed to be Cynergy... I guess this goes to show that I hear about health insurance companies more often than I hear about bicycles...

[Owlie]

Hee-hee, sorry about the typo, it was supposed to be Cynergy... I guess this goes to show that I hear about health insurance companies more often than I hear about bicycles...

That was the name of our electric company when I lived in Cincinnati, actually. Also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinergy_Field