StreisandEffect

Hi, so I'm a noob to the world of cycling. I did weeks of research before making the jump and finally decided on a Schwinn Madison 2012 for $425 (online because I couldn't afford any LBS prices for a bike of similar quality). The only thing is, I hope I got "the right size". Now before anyone tells me this has been talked about, I know. I researched these forums with a fine toothed comb but what I haven't seen is someone explain why the Madison's are sized or even built the way they are. I'll explain:

I'm just over 6'1" with a 33" inseam (34" PBH) and from almost every chart out there, I should easily be on a 58 - 60 cm bike with at least a 57 or larger top-tube AND this seems to be what most riders here with that geometry, ride. So this led me to getting the Madison XL which is a 58 seat and 57.5 top. But those damn Maddy sizings say I should be on their size L, which is only a 56 ST/56.6 TT; The sticker on the XL says it's for people 6'2"- 6'6"!

https://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/ur...4401#/geometry

I know sizing is subjective but the ONLY thing that would "match" size wise on the Large is the standover height. So what's the deal? Are Madison's just really tall bikes with cramped geometry? The reason I bought the XL instead of the L is because I thought the ST and TT would be much more important factors than just the standover (which pretty much is a nutgrazer for me on the XL). I've seen that user Scrodzilla at 5'10" rides a L so I assumed that me at 6'1" would be fine on a XL and so far it seems ok, maybe a little stretch which I heard is actually better if you have back problems. The people at the bike shop that set it up said the Schwinn geo was weird, that I could probably be on a smaller bike for the standover alone, but that everything else seemed fine. Thoughts? Explanations?

TLDR: In a nutshell I'm really just trying to figure out what the Schwinn philosophy is with making standovers that don't seem to match up at all with the current recommended tube lengths...

Scrodzilla

This has absolutely nothing to do with FGFS.

Moving to SSFG.

bfloyd6969

In 2011, Schwinn changed to a sloping top tube design. The Madison that Scrod had was the older style with a non-sloping top tube. The sloping top tube standover really depends on where you measure from. I had a 2011 Madison in Large (now the wife's bike) and I'm 5'11" with a 33.25" inseam. The Large fit me quite well. Now, remember that the sloping top tube has a drastic effect on top tube length. I like a 57cm effective top tube, and although the sloping top tube 2011 Madison is actually 56cm, when measured effective (level) it is a hair over 57cm.