Track Cycling - track bike question

Greetings,

When standing over the top tube of a track bike should you have more or less clearance than a road bike?
I know that the bottom bracket on track bikes are a little higher so I've taken this into consideration. The bike I'm looking at, I have no clearance….and the shop is telling me that this is normal.

Something doesn't seem right.

Help.

Much appreciated.

doesn't sound normal to me.
i'd call that too big.

thanks for the reply. do you know how much clearance i should have? should i be able to pick the bike up while standing over it?

in VERY general terms, you should have a couple of cm's of clearance.
BUT standover height is not usually a great way to figure out if a frame fits you.
top tube length compared to your arm and torso length, and seatube compared to your inseam are more reliable.

if you're not sure, it's probably worth it to go to a shop and spend the $75 or so for a real fitting before dropping a bunch of coin on a bike.

since the BB is higher you will have less clearance.

Standover is dead. Let's move on.

The true measure of a bike's fit in that dimension is seat tube length. You're concerned about reach to the pedals which is primarily a function of seat post extension, seat tube length, and crank length. Seat tube length is the only one you can't change after getting the bike (unless you change the frame out), so focus on that.

And yes, a track bike will have a taller BB so it gets a bit snug up on the old meat and two veg.

If I was going to have a few cm's of clearance I'd only ever get a 47/48 cm frame or have to ride something with compact geometry.

Instead I know I can ride a 51-54 bike with a 53 as my ideal.

It's pretty snug against the meat and veg but with shoes and when I'm clipped in, I clear it just fine.

hERE WE GO AGAIN. nORMAL RULE STATES
EXAMPLE:

57 c/t road, 1 inch if clearance
56 c/t , 1 1/2 - 2 inches of clearence
mountain 18" , 3 or more depending on frame.

this is the way I was taught and go by today. You may do something else different. This is before I go back up on the warlock block.

S/F<
CEYA!

I'm no fitting expert...
But top tube length is very important.
Depending on the style of the frame- bikes with the same length seat tube might fit differently.
Most current bikes are more compact than older models, so the maker and time period usually contributes to the way the bike will fit.

What I would suggest would be to go back to the shop, express your possible interest in the bike and see if they'll hook it up on a trainer for you. See if someone knowledgable will help you determine a proper seat position. From there- find out where your bars need to be for your riding style.
This should get you closer to determining if this frame is a good size for you.

If you have top put a unusually long stem on the frame to get into a comfortable riding position the frame is too big. Clearance is NOT a reliable indicator of fit.

stand over height for seat tube is first and then top tube is for reach. everything would facter in later.

S/F<
CEYA!

check out peter white cycles website on proper bike fit. hes the man. but my advice is to trust your own judgement. if your comfortable, or not, is your decision, and it is your bike. but i would get one a little bigger than your road bike, and jack up the seatpost, and get a longer stem