shortie needs help finding bike!

[Eden]

You might check out Redline just for kicks too - I have an inseam maybe a bit shorter than yours. I think mine is 28.5 - 29ish depending on how tight I want to hold the book . I can stand over a 44cm Redline - but being that I'm only 5 feet even, with that inseam, the reach is way to long.... Now I am not too sure how much I'd want to *race* said 44cm bike... the clearance is small enough that a misstep on a mount or dismount could be diasterous, and I'm not a man.

[celerystalksme]

You might check out Redline just for kicks too - I have an inseam maybe a bit shorter than yours. I think mine is 28.5 - 29ish depending on how tight I want to hold the book . I can stand over a 44cm Redline - but being that I'm only 5 feet even, with that inseam, the reach is way to long.... Now I am not too sure how much I'd want to *race* said 44cm bike... the clearance is small enough that a misstep on a mount or dismount could be diasterous, and I'm not a man.

i looked at the redline bikes...according to their site, the standover on the 44cm bike is 736mm (28.98 inches). i thought that might be cutting a bit close!

[bluebug32]

What about a Kona Jake or Jake the Snake?

I know the latter is a bit expensive (I built one up from the frame for around 1k, not including the wheels).

I'm 5'4" and have a pretty short inseem and it fits me just fine. I don't even have the smallest one Kona makes.

[celerystalksme]

What about a Kona Jake or Jake the Snake?

I know the latter is a bit expensive (I built one up from the frame for around 1k, not including the wheels).

I'm 5'4" and have a pretty short inseem and it fits me just fine. I don't even have the smallest one Kona makes.

if you get a chance, can you measure your inseam? because i had completely discounted kona's because according to their website even the smallest kona cross frame has a standover of 755cm (29.7")...that think might castrate me!

[LainiePants]

If you want to see if you enjoy racing cross before you spend lots o $$ (what's not to love!?), perhaps you could race on a mountain bike first (assuming you have one). Quite a few people do.

[celerystalksme]

If you want to see if you enjoy racing cross before you spend lots o $$ (what's not to love!?), perhaps you could race on a mountain bike first (assuming you have one). Quite a few people do.

nope, i've been strictly a roadie. this will be my first foray off pavement! lol

[dex]

There's also the Novarro Pulse with 26" wheels from REI, which also happens to be on sale right now...
http://www.rei.com/product/760877

[celerystalksme]

how important is standover clearance? is it ABSOLLTELY necessary to have standover clearance? cuz...how often will i actually be standing over the bike with both feet on the ground? i don't NEED standover clearance when i mount and dismount.

hmmm...

any fit experts with thoughts on this?

[Blueberry]

I'm no fit expert, but I wouldn't want it to be too close on a cross bike. I think you don't have inches of clearance, but you wouldn't want the bike to *ahem* jam into things either.

I have a cross check. I do not ride cross - I ride roads with it (love it anyway). Flatfooted, the bar just barely touches. I think it's OK. I wouldn't do more than that. (and I really do question Surly's measurements - I shouldn't be able to straddle my bike. But I can.)

CA