Focus, Jamis or Ridley for 5'3, 29" inseam

[seastar]

Well the tricky part is that each shop only carries 1-2 brands, and so far only the one Ridley has been in stock. So I'm trying to get an idea of what might fit before getting them to order (of course if they order it, and it doesn't fit I won't be stuck with it)

So should the geometry for a cx bike be close to my road bike? For example my road bike (using this years model not mine which is 2010):
Standover - 709
Top tube - 517

I noticed on the Ridley one the top tube is quite a bit shorter, will that be a problem with fit?

Thanks

No and no

You need a pubic bone measurement, which will likely be quite different from 29 inches (just a hunch). Plus, I prefer at least an inch of clearance over the top tube bar. I've read a couple of posts on here where petite women ended up selling their bikes because they didn't have enough clearance in stand-over height. (I tend to have excess clearance, because I want a short reach for my height, which is 5'7'').

Your reach, or top tube measurement, is actually more important for fit. Can you find somewhere that will give you a bike-fitting, complete with taking all your body measurements, then suggest the correct bike?

That is ideal, but can be hard to find.

Sheldon Brown and Peter White have great information on bike fit.

[wavedancer]

I have a 28" inseam, 29 with shoes on. I ended up getting a Valkyrie with 26" wheels. It fits perfectly, but has some drawbacks. I love the ride and handling, but tire choices are limited, although the Schwalbe tires that are on it work great. It's steel, which does provide a nice ride, but is on the heavier side.

It is tough to get a top tube short enough, with enough stand over clearance, and avoiding toe overlap on the front wheel in small sizes. My Ruby 48 fits well as my road bike with 700c wheels, but the top tube slopes too much to do any shouldering.

My dream cross bike? Same fit and geometry as the Valkyrie in light weight carbon! Not being made to my knowledge, other than custom.

Good luck on your quest. Cross is a hoot!

[zoom-zoom]

Good luck on your quest. Cross is a hoot!

Yes, it is! Just did my first race this AM! Seastar, I hope you can get a bike SOON!

[seastar]

How much clearance do I need over top tube? I got measured yesterday, and bike inseam is 75.5cm (29.72inches).

I can get a 2009 Jamis Supernova but there is pretty much no SO clearance (only a few millimeters). It fits great in terms of top tube etc. Or I can wait and get the 2012 model which should have about an 1" of clearance.

The other option is I have found a shop that CAN order Redline.

What do you think is best way to go?

Thanks again for all the help!!

[seastar]

Hectic day. I just answered that too fast, then deleted because my answer didn't make sense with what you posted.

I think you'll regret not having enough standover. Will the new model have the same top tube?

I don't know anything about Redline.

In the new model everything is the same geometry except the top tube is sloped and that's how the standover become lower. The dealer would be ordering in either model from Jamis (they don't keep stock on hand).

I'm concerned with SO as my roadbike has about 2.5" of SO clearance

[zoom-zoom]

I am biased, but I'm head-over-heels in love with my little Redline--did my very first cyclocross race on Sunday and had an utter blast (even though I was sorta in pain and wanting to puke by the end). I never test rode it before we pulled the trigger, but it fits like it was made for me. In some ways I like the fit better than my road bike. It's a bit less aggressive...it just wants to go out and have fun no matter where I take it.

[seastar]

Redline won't work as the only bike shop that can order isn't one I want to deal with...

Ridley is completely sold out.

But I can get a Specialized Crux Elite ( tiagra components ) or Cannondale Caadx ( 105 components ). Specialized needs to be ordered and the caadx is available in stock.

The other option is to wait and order a cannondale (through a friend at dealer pricing) - but then I won't have the bike for about 2 months.

For the cannondale I'm not sure about sizing. The 48 has better top tube reach but minimal stand over. The 44 the reach feels a bit compressed, but it has more standover...

[JulieGri]

I'm the same height and inseam as you (5'3" and 29" inseam). I've been riding a mtn bike for many years and have started doing cx this year. I have a 47cm Kona Jake the Snake. The standover is fine. The reach was a little long with the standard setup, but I switched to a compact handlebar and short stem, and the bike fits well now.