Girlie Bits hitting top tube

[Aggie_Ama]

I understand your dilemma now! And I would suppose you can't do a perpetual track stand at stop signs to avoid having to standover.

Ask around for the best bike fitter in Houston and you probably need an appointment for a weekend. There is a ton of Bike Barns in Houston. If you are going to pay, make sure it is for a good fit. BTW Austin supposedly has some of the best fitters in the state at Jack & Adams (a Tri Shop). And Bicycle Sport Shop Central will charge you $40 for a full fit and guarantee the fit, they got a few guys who are supposed to be great. Just food for thought, it is only an extra 30 minutes opposed to Houston.

[TexanCzexican]

Ha! Ok, maybe Austin would work...

[Aggie_Ama]

Ha! Ok, maybe Austin would work...

The Austin Cycling Club had a discussion about bike fitters this week on our list serve. That is the only reason I know about the Jack & Adam's guys. Supposedly they have an employee named Zane that trained under the guy who set up Lance's bikes. Don't know if this is true. The list serve also said the owner Nelo's Pro Cycles or the owner Music City Cycles (who is super nice even if he did go to UT) will give you a great fitting.

[TexanCzexican]

The list serve also said the owner Nelo's Pro Cycles or the owner Music City Cycles (who is super nice even if he did go to UT)

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

[ChickWithBrains]

Do you think your seat moved recently (when you first felt yourself "sliding off" the saddle, or do you think you figured out your geometry a little better once settled into the bike over time?

My girlie bits graze the bar when I stand close to my front tube, but only gently and I'm always riding with a chamois short. It doesn't hurt, but prolly looks kinda funny to onlookers. (Hence my "who cares?" bit. Which obviously you do if it is uncomfortable!)

[lph]

When I wait at lights I have my bike angled quite heavily to the left (I stand on my left foot and have my right clipped in, with the pedal at the top position). But I can see how you can bump yourself painfully just getting there, as you unclip one foot, scoot in front of the saddle and reach down to stand on the unclipped foot.

You can always check the fit roughly yourself. I've "done my own fitting" on my bikes after reading a few guidelines, like this (it can be handy to have someone help hold your bike, though, I didn't and it was a bear):

Saddle height: your leg should be straight (normal straight, not stretched) when you sit on the saddle with the pedal as low as it goes and your HEEL on the pedal. Clipped in this should give you a small bend in the knee. Check both legs, then try biking around and check that your hips aren't rocking from side to side to "reach further".

Saddle position: the front of your knee should be directly above the centre of the pedal (axle) when the pedal is in the "3 o'clock position". You can use a plumb line to check this, eyeballing it is hard. Or get off the bike, set your pedal arms horisontal, use a spirit level to check where the perpendicular crosses your top tube and mark it on the top tube with a piece of tape. Then sit on your bike and see how your knee matches the tape.

And your saddle should be horisontal, at least to start with. I've never felt comfortable on a saddle tilted in either direction but some people swear by tilting them slightly.

PS. Maybe you need a slightly shorter saddle?