Mountain Biking - Standover Clearance

I went to buy my new bike and the sales dude got into an argument with me over standover clearance. I am short and was on a 17" and with both feet on the ground I had about 1/2" between me and the bar. I then got on a 15" and felt as if I had about the same clearance. Then he proceeded to tell me that my seat was too high, even though I have been riding comfortably for years. I know that there are guidelines for fitting a bike, but I think that everyone has a certain preference on the height of their seat. At least it wasn't lower than it was supposed to be. I got p**ssed off and didn't buy the bike.

I noticed that when you start looking at the higher end mountain bikes that there are only men's frames, so how much clearance do I really need? Guys have way more to risk in that area, so keep that in mind when replying to me, I am a woman.;)

Well, for starters a 1/2" clearence is not enough, not even for a road bike. I believe that 4" clearance on a mountainbike is what most people suggest. Having a bike that is too big for you is a huge disadvantage off-road, where you have to move around on the bike and use some body english to clear obsticles.

As for seat height, the most efficient height is one that allows for a slight bend in your leg when the pedal is at its lowest positon. Any lower and you're losing power because you legs aren't able to fully extend and any higher and you'll find you're rocking side to side on the saddle as your legs aren't long enough to reach the pedals at their lowest position.

That said many people like to ride off-road with their seat lower than what is most efficient. This allows them to move around on the bike easier and feel more confident descending.

4 inches is pretty much what people suggest. But if you are not doing anyhting reall agressive then 2 inches will do. But nothing less. I don't think it matters what type you are, if you hit the top tube it will hurt.

Unfortunatly, the one I want only makes a 15" at the smallest. If I were to get a full 4" I would have to get something totally different and start all over. I am planning on testing the 15" today. I am very hung up in the fact that I reasearch many, and came back to one bike. :irritated

Originally posted by Redhed
Unfortunatly, the one I want only makes a 15" at the smallest. If I were to get a full 4" I would have to get something totally different and start all over. I am planning on testing the 15" today. I am very hung up in the fact that I reasearch many, and came back to one bike. :irritated

I have always heard 2" is a good number. My bike would be way too small to get 4". Don't get too hung up on the standover clearance. If you ride a bike and like it, it's comfortable, feels just right, etc..but.....OMG........you've only got 1.5" standover!...buy the damn thing :) Looking for perfection based on numbers will get you nowhere real fast.

Your seat height is YOUR seat height. Generally speaking, your leg should be slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke, not fully extended. Where do you have yours right now? I'm curious as to what the salesman thought was too high...

The ball of my foot is on the pedal with my knee slightly bent. When he had me "properly fitted" it felt as if my knees were kicking me in the chest. (I have large breasts you know) I was tired of being told how I should have it adjusted so I left, no sale.

I wouldn't have bought it form the dude either. The has to be some other shops there.

Originally posted by Redhed
The ball of my foot is on the pedal with my knee slightly bent. When he had me "properly fitted" it felt as if my knees were kicking me in the chest. (I have large breasts you know) I was tired of being told how I should have it adjusted so I left, no sale.

Sounds like you know more than the salesman :D What are you looking at by the way? Full suspension or Hardtail? Saw a girl on the trail this morning and the overall size of the bike just looked to be too big, but the top tube was very low. Alot of FS bikes have a lower top tube than a traditional hardtail...

I just bought a new bike... and it's a tad too big, but the next size down was WAY too small. The standover clearance is about an inch, but it's a full suspension so the guy said as long as I'm comfortable with it, it should be ok. I've ridden it for a couple of weeks now on fairly aggresive trails (for me anyway) and it's been ok. I think it's what you are comfortable with.

Whenever I come crashing down, it's always to one side or the other, not the middle http://www.themelee.com/smilies/s/cwm/cwm/disturbed.gif

I just came back from the shop with my new Mesa GSX, it has great components and I ended up paying 450.00 for it. (on the web it listed at 599.00) I bought the 15" frame which gives me about 1 1/2 inches of crotch clearance. Riding my old bike, I don't ever remember coming straight down, but if I do on this it may be close. I am not used to the guy's frame, so I will have to work on getting used to it. I am also not used to front suspension and I was amazed at the dip when the brakes are applied. :eek:

By the way, I have never used any kind of pedals that have toe clips or any type of click in thing. What is the advantage? I have always thought that if you were to crash you would be stuck in the pedals. :crash: Crashing happens fast, so I wouldn't think you would have time to detach.

I just bought a Kona Stuff and I have 1inch or less of crotch clearance. The smaller size made me feel cramped. This one is ok so far but I saw that I should have up to 4 inches and thought I might even trade mine for the smaller size anyway. Maybe its better to be cramped than to take a hit where it hurts the most?

I used to wonder why guys bikes had bars closer to the "package" since they have more at stake. Now I know that it has to do with the strength of the frame, but d**m, that would have to hurt a guy. I have accidently just got within 1 inch of it wrestling around and you would think I kicked him square in the nuts! I hope I don't learn the hard way and find out myself how bad it hurts to hit the bar, I want to have kids someday!

Redhead, As a male and a serious cyclist since I first learned how to ride. The only time I've hurt myself and my "parts" on the top tube is when I've slipped a pedal and have landed on the top tube. Let me tell you it's not a pleasurable experience. However, 1/2" or 4" wouldn't have made any difference. When your feet are not where they're supposed to be (on the pedals or on the ground) the distance you travel is all relative. I've had much more instances where the bike has stopped and I haven't, and ended up with the boys at the stem. Ouch!!! This having very little to do with the size of the frame.

I work at a shop and when I'm sizing people, I tell them comfort is the key! I've got some guidelines I follow, but if they're not comfortable, they'll not be happy with the bike. As far as seat height, use this "quideline" and then adjust it up or down in 5mm increments until it "feels" right. Inseam in cm(inches*2.54) multiplied by .883. This is the distance from the center of you bottom bracket(bolt on cranks) to the midpoint at the top of your saddle (not the highest point, nor lowest point, but where your butt will end up). Good luck and enjoy your new Schwinn Mesa.

L8R G8R

As always, Boomer has great advice. Sorry Boomer, I can't type your new screen name.

I believe comfort is the most important part of sizing bike. My very first bike was too small for me because I went strictly on the crotch clearance and was always cramped. Standover is only one aspect of bike sizing so you can't just go on that number alone. My second bike is a size larger than my first and I couldn't be happier. Now I feel comfortable on my bike.

Originally posted by IRBaboon
I just bought a Kona Stuff and I have 1inch or less of crotch clearance. The smaller size made me feel cramped. This one is ok so far but I saw that I should have up to 4 inches and thought I might even trade mine for the smaller size anyway. Maybe its better to be cramped than to take a hit where it hurts the most?


IRB:

No, I think you should be on a bike that you are comfortable on rather than one that you are cramped in. It's not very enjoyable riding a bike that is way too small, it'll make climbing an even less enjoyable experience. One inch of clearance should be find. My experience has been is that if you are going to land on your top tube it's going to happen no matter if you have one inch or four inches of clearance. The only time I've hurt myself was when I hit a rock, my bike came to a sudden stop but I didn't. I rammed myself right into the stem. I was down in the fetal position for about five minutes. Not even 10 inches of clearance would have helped me in that situation.

Originally posted by Redhed
I just came back from the shop with my new Mesa GSX, it has great components and I ended up paying 450.00 for it. (on the web it listed at 599.00) I bought the 15" frame which gives me about 1 1/2 inches of crotch clearance. Riding my old bike, I don't ever remember coming straight down, but if I do on this it may be close. I am not used to the guy's frame, so I will have to work on getting used to it. I am also not used to front suspension and I was amazed at the dip when the brakes are applied. :eek:

By the way, I have never used any kind of pedals that have toe clips or any type of click in thing. What is the advantage? I have always thought that if you were to crash you would be stuck in the pedals. :crash: Crashing happens fast, so I wouldn't think you would have time to detach.


Redhed...How is the new bike working out for you so far?

The pedals in which you click in are called clipless pedals. They are actually very easy to get used to. Once you are accustomed to them getting out becomes second nature, even in an emergency situation. The advantage of clipless pedal is that you can pull up on the backstroke allowing you to pedal in full circles (or almost). This is a big help when you are climbing.

They dont have clips they have these straps on them which I am having trouble getting in and out of. I am ready to remove them completey!! If I get new pedals,

1) What should I get and or consider?

2) What are the advantages to having pedals to click in and out of?

3) Wouldn't you crash if your feet are "stuck" to the pedals?

I have seen many people use them, but I have never actually asked.

Please set me straight on this subject....:confused:

About bike sizing, the length is far more important then the height. Most modern MTBs are designed to be quite long, with low top tubes. If the top tube is within 1 1/2" , you may have a bike which is too big and long. How does it feel ?

MTBs also have quite high bottom brackets. Many smaller sized bikes have the same height BB as larger models, which is bad design. Some even have higher BBs than larger models in the range, which is a serious flaw. You may have a bike with a small frame "size", but which is so high off the ground that you dont get the standover clearance you need, and the handling is degraded.

With toe clips, you should wear shoes with a fairly smooth tread, which can slide in and out of the pedals. Keep the straps loose, and your feet will come out with no problem. Ive never seen a serious toe clip user cinch the straps tight. If you are that concerned about efficiency, you go clipless.
Some cycling shoes have horizontal slots to slot into the rear edge of the pedal. This is a bad idea and can trap your feet.

Toe clips are fine if used correctly. They are a lot more efficient than plain platform pedals. Clipless pedals are more efficient still, but you need special shoes.

Hi Redhead!

Congrats on your new bike! Sounds to me like you got the sizing about right, now just enjoy it!

I use clipless pedals, and don't have any trouble getting out of them at all. The key is to have them adjusted correctly, so you can pop right out if you need to. Now, I don't even think about it.
Not only do clipless pedals give you the abillity to generate more energy, but on rough ground, your feet will stay on the pedals. And, when you are clipped in, you can even jump the bike over small obstacles, if needed.

My new bike is within 1 1/2" but it doesn't feel too big or long at all. The smaller size was so cramped that my knees almost touched the handlebars and the tip of my foot rubbed against the front wheel when I turned sometimes. I guess I made the right choice, didnt I?

oh and it has platform pedals cause I feel safer that way. I never liked toe clips and I've never even tried clipless pedals. Plus the shoes and pedals combo is just too expensive for me.