need opinions about "stand over height"

[mayqueen]

Was at a shop coupled of days ago and the tech said the exact same thing. I think the mens version is called the Rapid. I have compared the specs and it looks like the SO height is about .5 shorter, BUT the length is longer. I am assuming that womens bikes are made with "shorter torsos" as the only difference. Man, there are soooo many choices! Oh, I'm only 5"7 1/2 , but I've got a short inseam.

[Yelsel]

The men's standover height is about 0.2" lower for the same center-top tube height (the seat-tube angle is slightly steeper on the women's bike).

Drop down in height one size on the men's, get almost an inch of clearance. The top tube would be 5 mm / 0.5 cm *shorter* than the women's. You could try it and see how it feels. With a relatively long torso, you probably will fit better on a men's bike.

(And there is an error in the geometry -- the standover height for the M / 50 cm Dash bike should be 31.2", not 32.2".)

[mayqueen]

Hmm... Thanks Yelsel. I need to relook the chart over. Btw, is there a men's Dash, I could have sworn it was called the Rapid. Great help though everyone. I'm going to look for a few more options, more test rides!

[Cataboo]

Hmm... Thanks Yelsel. I need to relook the chart over. Btw, is there a men's Dash, I could have sworn it was called the Rapid. Great help though everyone. I'm going to look for a few more options, more test rides!

Women's bikes are made for long legs, short torsos.... Since you're exactly opposite of that, trying to fit yourself to a women's bike is probably not going to turn out too well. Try the men's version, size down if you need like Yelsel suggested and remember that they can put a longer stem on the bike to make up for the difference in top tube... .5 cms shorter for the sized down mens version top tube compared to the women's is not much at all, and you could totally get away with a longer stem.

Alot of the women on here, myself included don't ride women's bikes, because they don't fit us as well as the men's frames do. You're at a height where there should be plenty of bikes available to try ... if you were really short where there's a shortage of bike options, then I'd say it's not a bad compromise to have your crotch bumping... But seriously, at your height, you really shouldn't have to make that compromise. There should be a reasonable variety of bikes available that will fit you.

[mayqueen]

Thanks, I think that I definitely need to open my spectrum to looking at universal or men's bikes. My main problem is that what i am looking for is somewhat limited. I am specifically looking for a flat bar road bike and as you gals probably know, there argent too many options right now (well at least in my price point of $900 or under). I have had a "balance" disorder for about 12 years now and lets just say that the "drop bars' are not my friend! For some reason I cannot balance right to save my life. So if anyone has any suggestions about more flat bar road bikes, that would be awesome!

May

[Cataboo]

Have you tried the trek fx series? Those seem to be very popular.

[shellkay1212]

I have a Giant FCR and LOVE LOVE LOVE her! I'm short and don't have any trouble at all. She has turned into my commuter bike/trail bike/ride around town bike but I've ridden 50 miles on her without any issue.