Recreational & Family - Frame size for short guys?

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mitchg
04-26-05, 03:42 PM
My wife and I recently got a pair of Trek 7300 hybrids at a local bike shop. The guy helping us immediately recommended I get a 17.5" frame but didn't do any checking of fit, standover, etc when we took floor models out for a test ride. I'm 5'5" with normal proportioned legs for my height, and after getting the bikes home I realized that my standover height is VERY snug wearing the shoes I use when biking. I do clear the top bar, but barely. In all other respects the bike seems to ride comfortably.

I looked up this model on trek's website and discovered the next size down is 15", which sounds like a big jump and probably too small. I have gotten used to leaning the bike slightly when I mount/dismount to add some additional clearance which seems to help.

A lot of the information I've read online seems to suggest that for road biking having a frame that is slightly too big is better than too small. I think a 16.5 would be an ideal frame for me, but this appears to be a pretty odd size that is hard to find in most brands.

Should I go back to the bike shop and bug them about this, or is it not a big deal as long as I'm comfortable riding?

Black Bud
04-27-05, 12:46 AM
My wife and I recently got a pair of Trek 7300 hybrids at a local bike shop. The guy helping us immediately recommended I get a 17.5" frame but didn't do any checking of fit, standover, etc when we took floor models out for a test ride. I'm 5'5" with normal proportioned legs for my height, and after getting the bikes home I realized that my standover height is VERY snug wearing the shoes I use when biking. I do clear the top bar, but barely.

That's OK. What you DON'T want is to feel the top bar being jammed up into your crotch!!



In all other respects the bike seems to ride comfortably.

Another good sign.



I looked up this model on trek's website and discovered the next size down is 15", which sounds like a big jump and probably too small. I have gotten used to leaning the bike slightly when I mount/dismount to add some additional clearance which seems to help.

The 15" would probably have been, at best, borderline in size...maybe too small. While most Treks are a little on the "big" side for us "shorties", going down to the 15" would likely have been too much of a size drop. (You might have been left with a "cockpit" with too short a reach...not good either!!)

Tiliting the bike a bit to one side to "get a leg over" is normal...I do that all the time!!



A lot of the information I've read online seems to suggest that for road biking having a frame that is slightly too big is better than too small. I think a 16.5 would be an ideal frame for me, but this appears to be a pretty odd size that is hard to find in most brands.

The "slightly too big rather than too small road bike fit" rule is a good one, especially for "utility" riding and/or touring, which fits what you are doing. The only reasons to "go small": 1.) If there is an issue with standover height because one's legs are shorter, and the torso longer, than most bikes are designed for.
2.) In the case of a really short rider (as all too many women), a too-long reach if the standover is correct.

Racers go smaller to "save weight" and help aerodynamics; any advantage gained by doing this is, for most of us, just not an issue.



Should I go back to the bike shop and bug them about this, or is it not a big deal as long as I'm comfortable riding?


If you are comfortable, and can control the bike (I'm assuming you can.) you're OK.