Discomfort? "Physical Harm"? Why are people confused about the difference between RIDING on a bike and standing over a bike? For about fifty years, the standard bike used by the London "Bobby" and the British postman had a "standover" height of about 33 inches to 35 inches. And, the riders were men with a total leg length of about 30 inches to 35 inches.

Why did those bikes work so well? Their size and geometry placed the rider's hands as high or higher than the saddle. Pefect for urban riding, surrounded by motor traffic on the right and on the left. And, there was still three to six inches of clearance between the top of the saddle and the top of the top bar.

But, it was impossible to stand "flat footed" with both feet on the ground, one on each side of those bike. How did people ever survive? Duh...they didn't put both feet down. At a red light, the rider put his left foot on the ground, and the right foot remained on the right pedal. Learning how to do that takes a child about five minutes.

Today, I see guys six feet tall riding bikes that are the correct size for a child about five feet tall. A foot or more of clearance from the top of the saddle to the top of the top bar. They are "scrunched up" with their hands three or four inches lower than the saddle. Their hands, wrists, neck, and back ache after a two hour ride. But, they feel very "safe". They have that wonderful thing known as "stand over".

When you buy a bike, you need to make one basic decision first. Are you buying it to RIDE or are you buying it so you can stand over it?