Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 2,757
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
Great responses above by extremely knowledgeable people whom I have a lot of respect for.
One variable not mentioned directly (stand over comfort) in the text is the crotch bone height (CBH and other references). I am 5' 11" but have an inseam of 32 and a CBH of 35. My range is a bit narrower than others with 58 - 61 working well. I have a bike with measurements at both ends of the range. Most of mine are 60's with none being 59. I did pick up a 57, but determined it was too small but fits my daughter well who's CBH is less than mine but she is the same height.
I compensate TT variance within this range by choosing a stem the right length.
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