Originally Posted by
kirke
I think this fits best in the Mechanics section, but if not feel free to move this:
This deals not so much with measuring the standover of a bicyle, but measuring (what Rivendell Bicycle Works calls) your "floor-to-pubic-bone" height. In other words, YOUR standover height.
Most instructions suggest taking this measurement "in your stocking feet." However, shouldnt you measure from the floor to your crotch while wearing whatever shoes you typically cycle in? No one, as far as I know rides in their socks. It wont be much of a difference, but if you wear MTB shoes, it could be almost an inch couldnt it?
Thoughts on this?
You're mixing up two terms that aren't interchangable and don't have to do with the same fit issues.
The floor-pubic bone measurement is called "cycling inseam" and is indeed taken in stocking feet. It is used to get in the realm of "doable" with frame size, crank length, seat height, etc.
"Standover" is simply the measurement of the BIKE (not the person) from the floor to the top of the top tube about midline on the top tube. You then straddle the top tube - in your normal cycling shoes and see if you have enough clearance to feel comfortable. Then, as you look at frames, you limit your search to frames with a standover you feel comfortable with.
You can't determine your preferred standove based on the cycling inseam for a couple of reasons. First, the anatomical bits that dangle below the pubic bone used for the cycling inseam measurement are what concerns you ... and then only when you're wearing yoru normal cycling shoes, not barefooted.
second, everyone has a personal comfort level with that. Traditional road bike fitting didnt' require a lot of space betwen the top tube and the crotch because whenever you dismount a road bike, you naturally tip it to the side of the foot that's on the ground, therefore the straight on vertical distance is not relevant. People coming from mountain bikes think they need a lot more standover than they do. I'm happy with 1/2 inch of good clearance, but always have several inches when I'm actually stopped on my road bike.