Hi all,

I've been reading about traditional frame sizing, fit etc and I can't solve the following: the traditional road bike fit tends towards not a lot of seat post showing, basically a fist full, and a stem height level with the saddle height. It seems with a level top tube and a traditional 7 shape stem, I cannot achieve both at the same time.

The normal stem usually sticks out of the headset 12cm before max height is reached. The headset itself is another 2cm over the top tube. So the stem is at 14cm above the top tube. A fistfull of seatpost is at least 10cm, with a (traditional style) saddle that's 6-7cm tall from rail to saddle top. Assuming the top of the seat tube is level with the top tube, this still gives a 2-3cm drop (1 inch) with the max stem height.

To achieve a stem height level with the saddle, I either see less than a fist full of seat post and half an inch standover before it hits the bone, or I have to make use a tall stem. Am I missing something in the equation? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.