Can I get away with a smaller frame on a comfort bike?
 

As I posted earlier (somewhere on the forum), I'm about 5' 10 1/2" with an inseam of 30.5" using the book on wall measuring bit and shoes on. Every bike chart I see says I need about an 18" frame, but when I straddle I snuggle, so to speak. Lady nearby has a nice circa 2007 Diamondback Wildwood small (16") for a good price, but I'm leery of getting something too small. I've had a road bike that was nice but too big and don't want to go that route, again, even the other way. Tried a couple of nearby LBS but, even there, I come away scratching me head. Also the local REI but the "bike guy" acted like he would sell me a small frame because he had one available.

So, would I be sacrificing a lot with a 16" frame? I'm just going to ride in the neighborhood but we do have some fairly long hills.

Why do you leave the LBS scratching your head?

They should be able to tell you at the very least, your approximate bicycle size for a hybrid or comfort bicycle.

If you're that confused about sizing and you're only going to ride in the neighborhood, just get step-thru bike!

Check this beauty out:

www.specialized.com/us/en/globe/GlobeProduct.jsp?scid=1105&sid=12Work

- Slim :)

PS.

Why can't you just go over there where the Diamondback is and try it! See if you like it! If it fits and you like it, then buy it!

Why even post?....I don't get it!...Now you've got me scratching my head too!

Im 5' 9" and my Trek Navigator comfort bike has a 16.5 inch frame and fits me fine. If that helps.

Why scratching?
 

One LBS says "How tall are you? OKIE DOKIE, you should need an 18" but bike hits me in the crotch. At another, I try a KSH (KHS?) hybrid with a sloped frame. When I get on and straddle the danged thing, it, too, hits me. I've got a bit of a short inseam for my height but I'm damned if I can find a frame to give me any reasonable clearance in the crotch. The REI by me had two Jaunts which are kind of a modified cruiser geometry but they were only in small and large. With the swept back bars, the small felt like a tricycle. Just a bit frustrating on my part. Maybe I've been away from cycling for way too long. I just dont' want to end up with another bike that doesn't fit, hence why I've been away from cycling for too long. :)

BTW, that step through a uni-sex design? Looks suspiciously feminine. ;-)

scooter bop, thanks for the reply. I just might try that bike if it hasn't sold. I'm gonna need a comfort bike, whatever. Just took out a Fuji folder I've had kicking in the garage (with about an inch of clearance on that one) and don't care for the mountain bike bent over position all that much. I'm thinking upright, at least until (or if) I get back into shape.

I rode both the 16.5 and the next size larger and I liked the 16.5 better. It just felt better. The LBS said both sizes would work for me. On my 700x35 hybrid I also went with the smaller size, again, it just felt better. See if the LBS will let you take them for a longer ride, mine did and Im glad they did Because I was thinking I wanted the larger sizes just because. Those are my favorite two bikes I ride the most.

I extend my apologies, Redfeather!

If I were you, I'd go to the nearest Jamis Bicycle Dealer and have them fit me for free, and let me play with their bikes until I've decided....

- Slim :)