Quick survey -how much room do you have?

[csr1210]

another reason to go smaller is that the frame will be lighter.

Good point about weight!

The bike guy put me on the Marin on a trainer and adjusted my position a little, and thought that it would be a pretty close fit with maybe needing a slightly shorter stem depending on fitting. My problem is that I'm riding a mountain bike as my "road bike," everything is pretty stretched out in comparison. I worry about getting too small a frame and feeling squished once I ride enough to get used to the position, but I also am worried about getting a frame that's too large! (Yes- I worry about everything!). When I go ride the 2005 Dolce that I'm lusting after, I also plan on riding the smaller version for comparison, and hopefully that will help make things a lot clearer.

Thanks for everyone's input -- it helps to hear from people about their experiences!

[anakiwa]

Definitely worth giving the bike a try- (but don't buy it if it doesn't fit).

I have a custom fit road bike- and there doesn't seem to be much standover clearance (especially in the front- it's got a sloping top tube) and it doesn't seem to bother me. The reach is so much closer on this bike than on my previous road bike which has been great. Make sure you look at the overall fit, not just the standover. I think having minimal standover should be fine- but there's obviously a line you don't want to cross.

[Crankin]

CSR, my bike is pretty much the same as you describe; I am 5' 1", petite, but my arms are average length and so are my hands. I had been riding a Trek 5200 wsd 47 cm. The bike was small, but it just didn't fit me right, always having pain. I now have a 51 cm Kuota, with a compact frame and a sloping top tube. There isn't that much clearance, but i can't tell you the exact number of centimeters. I feel comfortable on the bike, though. As far as stopping on a hill, I don't think I could do that well on any bike! (well at least to get started again). I did have to do that last week when my shifter cable snapped going up my street on a 10% grade. I was able to put one foot down and clip out like always. Then I scooted across the street to a more level driveway and that was where I took off from, in a pretty high gear for a hill.

[KnottedYet]

I don't have a whole lotta clearance on either of my bikes. Maybe 1 inch? Both are cyclocross geometry. (Waterford X-12 and Surly Cross Check)

But I'm a "long cool drink of water" and feel cramped on anything smaller.

[madscot13]

But I'm a "long cool drink of water" and feel cramped on anything smaller.

As we say in my house, I am short snort! My next bike will be WSD probably for height issues alone. On my current bike my standover hight, for lack of better words, has a bit of rub. Riding this bike really promotes safe riding if I ever want to have children. Accidents will be bad.

[twinkie]

But now I just feel disproportionately short. I"m just shy of 5'1" in my bare feet, and I'm on a 43cm bike. I tried out a 47cm WSD, but I have to stand on the very tips of my toes in order to clear the top tube. I'm guessing that's not such a good idea (even though I wish I could "graduate" to the 700c wheels!).

Or, do you feel that the "reach" is more important than clearance?

[csr1210]

Hi Twinkle - I suppose reach IS more important, but the tip toes thing would scare me to death -- I am NOT graceful on many of my stops/dismounts! How do you feel on your curent bike? I'm pretty set on 700cc wheels too, but I honestly can't give you a really good reason -- maybe just because it's "standard"