Butt behind the seat...I can't
 

I picked up a used Trek 4300 in a size 16. Great deal on a barely used bike. I have short legs/tall upper body. 28-29" inseam. People here thought I should be ok with this size bike even though I am still touching a bit on standover.

But I keep reading you should be able to get your butt behind the seat. No way can I do that. Maybe the stem is too far forward to give me that kind of movement? But I have a taller upper body...maybe my arms are shot too?

Granted I may never do anything other than casual dirt trails but should this worry me?

Not if that's all you're doing. However, some day, you'll want to do more and you'll want that tool (riding with your butt behind the seat) in your toolbox! It can save you from going over the bars in steep situations.

I would play around with your position on the bike. It seems odd that you cannot get behind the seat unless something is off. However, you very well may have a differently proportioned body than I. Pix perhaps**********

... Brad

Why dont you try lowering your saddle a little bit?

RR

This is the reason why people, especially on MTBikes should not use standover has a size measurement. Reach is actually much more important. The bike is obviously too big for you. You can try shortening the stem (to a 90 or 80cm) and lowering the seat. Otherwise just learn pull off the saddle as much as possible while descending.

If your plan is to ride bike paths and dirt trails you should be OK. You only need to get off the back on steep descents.

Can you shift your weight onto the back edge of the saddle? Even that will help a lot. It does sound like your stem may be a bit long. You might also be able to slide the saddle forwards on the rails a bit (there's generally a bolt in the seatpost where it connects with the underside of the saddle -- if you loosen that, you can push the saddle forward).

It seems that the steem is to forward or that your arms are too short? You probably need a smaller bike but dunno if you're never going any farther than casual dirt rides.

Typically it's good to have a few inches of clearance. The frame might be a bit big. Quick dismounts might be, eh... painful.

that is a small bike .. my buddy has one in 16inch and it has a short top tube as he sits pretty upright. I'd really bet that is the right size bike for you. slap a shorter stem on it and see how much seatpost you have exposed.. I bet it's more than you think... Standover on a sloping tube bike is hard to measure if you humping the stem your not going to have any standover.

Bottom line just ride the bike..

Thanks all. I only got it before going on vacation so I haven't had much time beyond a few miles around the block.

I did end up trying a 13" 4300 and not much difference in reach or standover. I did try a Gary Fisher???(blanking on the name) the bike that Trek makes under a man's name. Their 16.5? has more standover and shorter reach than the 16" Trek.

I noticed the Trek has a couple of more inches of bar where the handlebars attach to the stem. The Gary Fisher felt much closer to the seat.

I couldn't resist a deal at $175 for a mint bike. I will take a further look at seat adjustment and try some movement while riding(vs standing still) to see how much clearance I really will have but I think it will be very little.

Which is odd because I thought Trek's were a shorter bike. Should still be a fun ride for the dirt paths around here.

the gary fisher genesis will have a shorter stem and a longer top tube ... you will be more stretched on a fisher if it is a genesis model.. The trek should be perfect for you.. don't worry about standover as you never fall directly forward.

How do you know this?

How are you trying to accomplish the "butt behind the seat"? Are your pedals level? If not start there and then try to extend rearward.

well I don't know that, but in the odd case of falling directly forward the stem will usually get you in the beans rather than the top tube... and your beans smashed against the stem is usually enough to move the top tube over to the side. Don't ask how I know this

I couldn't do it comfortably till I got a shorter stem.