Can Bikesdirect Standover numbers be trusted?
#26
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Thanks. Good information to have. I'm not sure it is 100% relevant to me though, since it doesn't take into account a lot of things that I consider important for the type of riding I do. I'm not a racer or a tourer, heck I rarely go over 15mph (although my wife wants to change that). I'd like a more upright position for better visibility in traffic. I want to consider the fact that 90% of the riding I do will have me stopping every couple of blocks. I'd probably just get a city bike if they weren't so heavy to carry up the stairs (and the fact they don't feel very agile in traffic)
Thanks. Definitely on the agenda.
Although I haven't noticed very many people in the city on road bikes have very elegant starts off the line. Tons of people seem to have to push off a couple of times with one foot while leaning the bike way over and trying to push down with the other foot just to get started. So I'll take solace in the fact that I'm not alone in not knowing how to ride a bike very well. I think I now understand why so many fixed gear guys don't stop at lights, they have too much trouble getting started again.
Thanks. Definitely on the agenda.
Although I haven't noticed very many people in the city on road bikes have very elegant starts off the line. Tons of people seem to have to push off a couple of times with one foot while leaning the bike way over and trying to push down with the other foot just to get started. So I'll take solace in the fact that I'm not alone in not knowing how to ride a bike very well. I think I now understand why so many fixed gear guys don't stop at lights, they have too much trouble getting started again.
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Thanks. Definitely on the agenda.
Although I haven't noticed very many people in the city on road bikes have very elegant starts off the line. Tons of people seem to have to push off a couple of times with one foot while leaning the bike way over and trying to push down with the other foot just to get started.
Starting and Stopping
#28
Your cog is slipping.
Although I haven't noticed very many people in the city on road bikes have very elegant starts off the line. Tons of people seem to have to push off a couple of times with one foot while leaning the bike way over and trying to push down with the other foot just to get started. So I'll take solace in the fact that I'm not alone in not knowing how to ride a bike very well. I think I now understand why so many fixed gear guys don't stop at lights, they have too much trouble getting started again.
#29
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You've mentioned this several times, but I'm not sure why it's relevant.
Thanks. Definitely on the agenda.
What?
Starting and Stopping
Thanks. Definitely on the agenda.
What?
Starting and Stopping
Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
[h=3]Correct Basic Starting Technique[/h] Stand astride the frame, both feet on the ground. Most people get to this position by swinging a leg over the saddle, but if you have low handlebars, you can do it over the bars as well. If you have a "lady's" bike or other bike with a low frame, you may be able to lift your foot over the frame. It sometimes helps to lean the bike to the side before straddling it.
BTW, the starting technique in the video is pretty much exactly how I do it on my BMX. On the mtn bike I have a bit more trouble doing the same thing, not sure exactly why, my only guess is because I'm standing farther forward and so I can't put the same force down on the pedal as I can when I'm straight above the axle.
#32
Your cog is slipping.
This thread is completely asinine.
OP, you can talk about "this is how I do it on my BMX bike" all day long but at the end of that day, a BMX is not a road bike. Put you big boy pants on and learn how to ride a road bike the way everyone else does. You do not need to be able to touch the ground while seated. Ever.
OP, you can talk about "this is how I do it on my BMX bike" all day long but at the end of that day, a BMX is not a road bike. Put you big boy pants on and learn how to ride a road bike the way everyone else does. You do not need to be able to touch the ground while seated. Ever.
#33
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Yeah, sorry that wasn't very clear. I know you're not supposed to be able to stand over the seat on most normal bikes, but that's how I learned, and now even after months of riding a "real" bike it is still pretty awkward getting started when you have to stand a little forward of the pedals because the seat is in the way. But I'm definitely not looking for a bike that I can clear the seat, just clearing the tt would be great.
Small bikes can be set up more aggressively cuz they generally have a lower headtube. Get a long-ass stem, flip it and slam it and you're full pro right there.
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This thread is completely asinine.
OP, you can talk about "this is how I do it on my BMX bike" all day long but at the end of that day, a BMX is not a road bike. Put you big boy pants on and learn how to ride a road bike the way everyone else does. You do not need to be able to touch the ground while seated. Ever.
OP, you can talk about "this is how I do it on my BMX bike" all day long but at the end of that day, a BMX is not a road bike. Put you big boy pants on and learn how to ride a road bike the way everyone else does. You do not need to be able to touch the ground while seated. Ever.
I'm working on learning how to ride a "big boy" bike, but after a few months of riding the mtn bike I still find I wobble a teeny bit on the first rotation of the cranks, something I see a lot of people having problems with around here.
#37
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The stand over height on my Steamroller is 30.7 and i'm 5'8 and it's fine it's a size 53cm. Please don't buy a new bike according to stand over height. I also rode a Scwhinn Madison that had a really tall standover height and it was also fine, it was something like 31.5 yeah my body parts rested on it and everything but it wasn't uncomfortable in the slightest and I barely ever stood over it.
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why is OP talking about standover height and starting and stopping in the fixed gear section?
You should be doing no handed trackstands on your sw8 fixay at every stoplight. You don't need to touch the ground.
You should be doing no handed trackstands on your sw8 fixay at every stoplight. You don't need to touch the ground.
#39
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Standover is not even something I look at when checking out bike sizing.
Seat tube "size" to get into the right ballpark; TT measurement to narrow it down and finalize decision.
Standover doesn't even figure.
Seat tube "size" to get into the right ballpark; TT measurement to narrow it down and finalize decision.
Standover doesn't even figure.
#40
Your cog is slipping.
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No worries.
And just ignore the baiting trolls in the thread--standover and bike size definitely make a difference. A couple of test rides on bikes just one size up or down in comparison will let you know that bikes just one size up have very different ride characteristics.
And just ignore the baiting trolls in the thread--standover and bike size definitely make a difference. A couple of test rides on bikes just one size up or down in comparison will let you know that bikes just one size up have very different ride characteristics.
Thanks. That was the fit calculator I had used and linked to in the OP (that I got from reading the sticky). Going just by the toptube length it suggested puts me on the Kilo TT 60, which would give me -5" of standover height. Even if you say standover shouldn't matter that much, that still seems insane to me.
Not looking at a $1500 bike, but not necessarily a $250 one either. I just grabbed the Dawes because it was the first semi-compact frame I saw on BikesDirect. Before coming across the standover issue I'd been mostly thinking the Motobecane Fantom Uno WT, the Kilo WT, or the Motobecane "Fixie" Cafe. I'm planning on having a freewheel no matter what I get.
Thanks. Will take a look at the Escape 3.
p.s. sorry about the multiple posts earlier, just figured out the multiquote.
Not looking at a $1500 bike, but not necessarily a $250 one either. I just grabbed the Dawes because it was the first semi-compact frame I saw on BikesDirect. Before coming across the standover issue I'd been mostly thinking the Motobecane Fantom Uno WT, the Kilo WT, or the Motobecane "Fixie" Cafe. I'm planning on having a freewheel no matter what I get.
Thanks. Will take a look at the Escape 3.
p.s. sorry about the multiple posts earlier, just figured out the multiquote.
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Generally I would agree, except if you have someone who's legs are so short relative to their torso, that the seatpost would have to be completely slammed for them to reach the pedals. It sounds like the OP needs a frame like a Leader, which has a very long TT relative to the ST.
#43
Your cog is slipping.
#44
Your cog is slipping.
Which is why riding the correct size bike is important.
#45
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Another quick fit question. I've read that going with a slightly larger size allows for a more relaxed upright riding position, while a smaller size would be more aggressive. I'm having trouble visualizing why this is? It would seem that a longer toptube would keep you farther away from the handlebars, meaning you have to lay over more to reach them? I'm obviously missing something here.
Thinking in reverse, the bigger the frame, the lower you can run the saddle and still maintain proper leg extension, and you won't be reaching as far "down" for the bars.
For the record, I'm only 6' even and ride a 60cm bike for that exact reason. Comfort when riding for me, standover be damned.
#46
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#48
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Ooops. shoulda multiquoted. He asked about it in post #18
Another quick fit question. I've read that going with a slightly larger size allows for a more relaxed upright riding position, while a smaller size would be more aggressive. I'm having trouble visualizing why this is? It would seem that a longer toptube would keep you farther away from the handlebars, meaning you have to lay over more to reach them? I'm obviously missing something here.
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Are we really trying to train some dude how to ride a bike over the internet?