Retro Grouch 

Sounds like a good answer to me but I don't think that the OP is ready to stray that far from the box.

Terrierman

Have you considered a properly sized mixte?

The Weak Link

Exactly. The guy drafted me for a while and then pulled along side. We had a nice conversation right up to the point I accused him of being a doper (I don't know why people get their knickers in a twist about that kind of remark). He said he gets the best of both worlds: he can draft on DF bikes but no one can draft on him.

I mean, what's there not to like about that?

leob1

First things first, visit ALL of the bike shop within a reasonable area of where you live and find the 1 or 2 that will work with you on the right bike for you, the correct bike size, and getting the bike to fit you. From MY experience, some are much better with that service than others. Many shops will reserve that service for the guys that are buying the more expensive bikes. If you buying a lower priced bike, the level of service is much less. A few shops will spend time with you before you even look at the bikes. They will ask about what you ride now, what you want to get out of riding, what kind of bike you are looking for, and what you think your riding future will be. Then they will show you want you (think) you want, and offer suggestions on what they think you should be on. They will also suggest swapping components to get the bike to fit as best as possible. You may have to pay extra, you may not, but this will be worth it if you get a bike that fits, and you enjoy riding. It takes time, and some work on your part, but it is well worth the investment. And you will learn which shop to go to for a tube, and which shop to go to for everything else. And last but not least, TEST RIDE. Even just a lap or two of the parking lot, you'll know if the bike is right, or can be made right, or wrong for you.
Enjoy the ride.

Ron B

All great advice - thanks for the links etc. I don't have a beard, but do have a bit of a belly and I'm not normally grouchy........If a bent is 'in the cards' after I explore my options - i.e. raising the handlebars even more (thanks for that thread!).......so be it! I GUARANTEE though that I won't be the one passing you - I really enjoy just being out there - the fitness/weight loss is an added plus for me. Life passes so quickly, I am forcing myself to enjoy whatever time I have at a slower pace........God bless.

stapfam

Standover height is irrelevant. Looks like you made the same mistake on Bike sizing as I did with my first one by going too small for the torso. But it can be improved by fitting a longer stem to the existing bike. This will give you a more stretched out feel to the bike and take some weight off the saddle. (Or at least put it in a different position.)

But this would also require a certain amount of knowledge on how to set the bike up for you--which you don't have at present. So just a suggestion- ride the bike you have for a while and get the body working. Saddle and it may require a new one- but the butt probably needs a bit of training to sit on a saddle- any saddle so just keep riding.

I am 5'6" with a 30" inseam and I ride a Compact frame in 51.

B1..jpg

So the LBS in suggesting a 54 probably were not too far out for the torso As I have said- standover is irrelevant. I can't get anywhere near the ground when seated as my legs are 2" too short- but on a compact frame the top tube is lower where it matters. And mounting and dismounting the bike just require a slightly different stance (Lean the bike over)

Ron B

Stapfam - how about if we trade inseams********** then we would both be 'normal' - whatever that is.............you don't find it awkward/dangerous to have the frame leave you nowhere near the ground? Not being a smartass but this past weekend when I did the Tour de Cure - I rounded a turn and there were a bunch of 'stopped' cyclists. To avoid a collision I swerved and went up a muddy hill........unfortunately because I could reach the ground either, both my bike and myself went sliding down sideways......bike - no damage.....me two bloody knees and full of mud - in addition to a bruised ego.......

Retro Grouch 

I hate that.

On group rides like the Tour de Cure there is a certain category of cyclist that likes to stop and wait for their friends at turns on the only portion of roadway that doesn't have loose gravel on it.

Ron B

Retro actually it was my first ever charity ride and while I'm glad I did it - everyone that rode it and was familiar with other organized rides said it was the worst planned/laid out path they had ever seen - NO arrows to mark the correct way at a good number of intersections and quite a few of us got lost. The only way I was able to find my way back (and I'd never been on that trail) was to try and keep up - for the most part - with "kids" who were trying to beat a speed record or something. The old farts like me are probably still trying to find their way back and it's been four days!!! Honestly = it was for a great cause - but absolutely hor****ley (if that's a word) laid out/planned/organized....in fact someone mentioned at the end that the guy who was supposed to mark the trails got a flat = what? how bout calling someone else instead of just letting folks fend for themselves??? the other thing that pissed me (and I guess I am a grouch too....is when I fell, not one person lifted a finger to ask me if I was alright or offer assistance........yowza - unfreakin real............) all in all a great time? LOL well I did it and that's what matters - plus the money i raised goes to a good cause - maybe getting the trail marking guy a new tire>>>?

billydonn

I have to agree with Stapfam on the standover issue... I also have shortish legs but longer torso and I ride bikes that are technically too big for me, standoverwise. But the fit of the cockpit is what I need most. I'm not sure what the OP needs. It sounds like most of the ground has been covered as to recommendations for him. I do second the "keep riding" idea. A lot of early riding discomfort does go away if you give the body a chance to adapt.

Dan Burkhart 

I'll agree with that as well. The two bikes that I ride the most are too large for me on the standover dimension, yet I can ride them in complete comfort. I just wouldn't ride them in the rock gardens where the consequences of an unintended dismount would be decidedly uncomfortable.

gcottay

I think you are a near-perfect candidate for a good recumbent but, then, don't really know you any better than does lhbernhardt. Transport would not be a big issue. Many bent riders have Civics and smaller.

Most recumbent dealers are very good about test rides. The sponsor list at BentRider Online would give you are starting point with the forums and buyers guide adding more reading than you likely want. <G>

Whatever you end up doing with equipment, I think you have exactly the right attitude about cycling and that's more important than the gear.

jimmuller 

A dose of reality first: I suppose these numbers could refer to different kinds of "size" measurements. But 47.5cm equals 18.7in. Or conversely, 17.5in equals 44.45cm.

It's hard to know where to go when the starting point is not clear.

Ron B

Jim - let's say its 17.5 inches now you know where to go?

mkane77g

Enjoy. Just get it comfy, whatever it takes, and watch the ##'s melt away.

Fat Tire

I too have similar problems, short legs, long torso, and Diabetes, arthritis riddled back and shoulders, and just to add the topper, GOUT. I bought a medium size bike, even though I am 6ft tall (a Torker cargo-T, which only comes in a medium frame size). No, I haven't had any problem with my boys in placement of the top bar, since the Torker is a step through frame. The one I didn't choose was a Montague Paratrooper, Folding bike.

I just put a set of Dimension upright cruiser wide bars, which are a small step up, incrementally higher, a tiny bit wider, too, and alloy, not steel. Just don't be convinced that North road bars are North Road bars. I intend to change my seat out for one with springs, one that advertises it is the widest seat available today.

Torker makes a fairly wide, rather higher set of North Road bars than my old Raleigh. Don't be afraid to change what ain't working. Don't be afraid to change what is working, to make it work better.

stapfam

Never found standover or reaching the ground with my feet a problem- The bike gets leant over sideways and I reach the ground. This works for the few occasions on a ride where I start or stop- the rest of the ride I am pedalling and that is where the bike has to fit.

This is on both the road bikes and the MTB's. The Tandem is even worse as it is a larger frame fit and you have another rider that will have an influence on how far you lean. Only advantage of the Tandem is if you suddenly find people in your way- you cannot swerve to miss them- you just go through them- but that is a different problem.

And on the saddle- before you make the mistake that many of us have made at some time- Well padded or gell filled wide comfy saddles do not work for many. It goes against intuition but narrow saddles with just a bit of padding to no padding do work. The only problem is getting the right width but Specialised dealers have an "Assometer" which will guesstimate the width you should be using. It is a memory foam that keeps the imprint of your sit bones so the width of the saddle can be judged more accurately.

BlazingPedals

I tell everyone that having a draft behind you is a sign of inefficiency. Although if you can get down on the deck with another lowracer you'd see there is a slight draft behind one. It doesn't sound as if the OP rides fast enough for drafting to matter, though. Hey, if he doesn't want to go the full recumbent route yet still find a more comfortable seat/position, there's always the crank-forwards. RANS Fusion here:

Kojak

Perhaps a "Dutch" euro-style bike might be the answer. Some even have step through frames (I know, in North America it might be considered a "girls bike"; not so in Europe). The handlebars sit quite high on these guys, and the bikes generally have high volume tires which make for a comfy ride.

cyclinfool

That is one cool looking bike!

cyclinfool

I saw quite a few bikes like that when I was in Amsterdam, people do sit quite erect.

Kojak

Man on a Step Through.