The Trek, Raleigh, and Giant dealers say they don't rely on the factory measurements at all, but rather deal with it on a customer by customer basis. But the last time I let a dealer "fit" me to a bike, I ended up with one I couldn't stand over, except on my tip-toes. At the time, I didn't know enough to object - I assumed that this must be standard any more. I tolerated that bike for an entire miserable year before I got fed up with it and sold it.

I'm guilty as charged of over complicating things, but in this case, my gripe is legitimate. It may be that in theory "...with compact frames, standover height is less of an issue," as Mr. John D. Thompson says, but in my experience, it's just the opposite. I strongly suspect that I'm not alone.

Since I'm in the minority here, though, I'll shut up about it.