How vital is standover height?
12-01-06, 05:41 PM
#1
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How vital is standover height?
OK, I have an old frame. The top tube measures 58cm. That is perfect for me. The seat tube is 60cm.
The standover height is 34". My measured inseam is 34.75".
Is that too close? I can comfortably stand flat footed over the frame with 25mm tires on the bike, but I do feel the the top tube. I can also lift the bike just a little.
I've never crashed in such a manner that I've ended up on the top tube. In 4th grade, my Schwinn was so big I couldn't even straddle the top tube and I had to jump up to mount the bike.
Does it matter if the other measurements are good?
The standover height is 34". My measured inseam is 34.75".
Is that too close? I can comfortably stand flat footed over the frame with 25mm tires on the bike, but I do feel the the top tube. I can also lift the bike just a little.
I've never crashed in such a manner that I've ended up on the top tube. In 4th grade, my Schwinn was so big I couldn't even straddle the top tube and I had to jump up to mount the bike.
Does it matter if the other measurements are good?
12-01-06, 06:14 PM
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My fixed gear conversion which otherwise fits me perfect has a -1/2" standover height. Never caused a problem for me in 7k miles as the bike tilts when I am standing over it.
Al
Al
12-01-06, 06:27 PM
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I have short legs so standover height has always been a limiter for me. But yours sounds fine.
12-01-06, 06:45 PM
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my bike is probably considered too short for me, if it's comfortable and it's a decent frame ride it, it would be different if you were buying a custom track frame but you're not so enjoy it
12-01-06, 07:02 PM
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Too big is better than too small any day
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12-01-06, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Serendipper
Too big is better than too small any day
12-01-06, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by baxtefer
standover is overrated.
12-01-06, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by tubescreamerx
I disagree. I like the feel of a smaller frame, even for non-racing purposes as it feels nimbler and easier to handle.
That's not size, that's geometry and construction of the frame.
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12-01-06, 09:36 PM
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Ah yes, freshman year of college: huge mongoose MTB, my 31" inseam and street shoes on siezed Look clipless pedals from the 80s.
Through winter in WI.
Through winter in WI.
12-01-06, 11:02 PM
#13
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Standover height is basically irrelevant as long as you can straddle the frame without smashing your boys (or girls). Adjust saddle and stem height as needed. As long as you have a frame that is in your ballpark, top tub length is way more of a concern. You can use different length stems to compensate for having the wrong top tube length, but too long or short a stem will effect handling. One the other hand, adjusting bar and saddle height is no big deal and it would have basically the same effect as making your frame taller.
Last edited by mihlbach; 12-01-06 at 11:07 PM.
12-01-06, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by slopvehicle
Ah yes, freshman year of college: huge mongoose MTB, my 31" inseam and street shoes on siezed Look clipless pedals from the 80s.
Through winter in WI.
Through winter in WI.
12-01-06, 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by mihlbach
Standover height is basically irrelevant as long as you can straddle the frame without smashing your boys (or girls). Adjust saddle and stem height as needed. As long as you have a frame that is in your ballpark, top tub length is way more of a concern. You can use different length stems to compensate for having the wrong top tube length, but too long or short a stem will effect handling. One the other hand, adjusting bar and saddle height is no big deal and it would have basically the same effect as making your frame taller.
12-02-06, 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Serendipper
Too big is better than too small any day
12-02-06, 12:59 AM
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Too much one way or the other and you look like you stole the bike.
