First Road Bike Purchase

[emily_in_nc]

When you're in between sizes as the OP might very well be, one's overall inseam tells only part of the story. The more important question often is whether her femurs are relatively (relative to her inseam that is; not relative to women in general) long, relatively short or average. It's femur length that dicates how far back or foward her saddle needs to be to get her knees in the appropriate position relative to her pedals. If she has relatively long femurs, chances are she's going to have to put her saddle farther back which will, in turn, effectively lengthen the top tube of the bike. If she has relatively short femurs, then her saddle may have to be set forward a bit, which will effectively shorten her reach to the handlbars.

Very good point, indy! I have long femurs for my height and always have to have my saddles set way back on the seatpost (along with a setback seatpost!) So I end up needing a bike with a shorter top tube than might be predicted for my height and inseam. There is a lot more to fit than just standover height.

Sounds like the OP got the right size for her, though, and I would have predicted a 50-51cm based on her inseam and height, but depending on manufacturer and geometry, she could have taken a 48 or 49cm. Glad she got a bike that fit as that is #1!

[IBrakeforPastry]

Congrats on the purchase, and enjoy your ride tomorrow.

Interesting information on sizing and fitting. So many variables! I actually have proportionately short femurs (so says the LBS guy) which explains why I can almost never get the proper knee/toe alignment. But even with the seat forward, I still feel like the reach is too far. Maybe my arms are too short, too.