Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Washington and Ocean Shores, Washington, USA
Bikes: 2 - 2007 Custom Bike Fridays, 2 - 2009 Bike Friday Pocket 8's, Gravity 29'er SS, 2 - 8-spd Windsor City Bikes, 1973 Raleigh 20 & a 1964 Schwinn Tiger
Pedal forward geometry (like on the Electra cruiser I just sold) was harder on my knees than a standard set-up.
I would agree that proper seat height and proper fore and aft position of seat are very important to knee health. At 6'3", I need a 39" seat-to-pedal distance to be comfortable, as well as to put power into the pedals. That, and the needed arm reach, dictates a larger sized frame.
What you can accommodate in "stand-over height" is also a factor in determining how large a standard bike frame you can/should ride.
Lou