I'm thinking of getting a Jamis Aurora but I'm having trouble finding a store with one in stock to try out. My concern is the standover. I have a 30" inseam and would think the 50 cm size would fit but the SO is 30.86". Any thoughts?

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...elite_geo.html

How are you measuring your inseam? Is 30" your "cycling" inseam (PBH)? How tall are you?

Well biked, 30" comes from the book snug against the pubic bone measurment with several tries to help ensure accuracy. I'm about 5' 5".
My other bikes are a Giant TCR compact frame size small and an older Giant Mtb with a 17" frame.

I have an '09 Jamis Aurora Elite (that I really enjoy, btw), and my sister has one, too. The Aurora Elite, since '09, has used the same frame geometry as the Aurora, so it's an apples-to-apples comparison. I'm 5'7" with a 31.5" cycling inseam and the 53cm fits me very well. My sister is about your size, and she rides a 50cm and it fits well.

Our shop is a Jamis dealer, and we sell quite a lot of Auroras. Based on the info you've given, I would say the 50cm is the correct size. We have sold the next size down, the 47cm, and it is a VERY small bike, suitable for someone who is typically more like 5'0" to 5'3." As for the standover height of the 50cm, my guess is that the top tube clearance will be tight and you might even avoid standing flatfooted over it with both feet on the ground, but that it won't be a big deal. There's a good chance you'll be able to comfortably stand over it, keep in mind the standover height on a geometry chart is just one point on the top tube, which in this case is sloping slightly.

Good luck-

While standover height should be a concern its only part of the equation. I had a bike that the dealer thought would be slightly to big but doable. When standing flat footed I was barely able to stradle the bike. But I was very comfortable riding it.

My suggestion would be ride whatever is available and make your decision on what it feels like to ride. Don't buy a bike with the intention of standing over it.

This may be a bit off topic, but I've got a Jamis Aurora Elite, and I love it. It's a fantastic bike!

My inseam is 30" (just going from the jeans size I wear).. I have a 50. It fits, although i'm closer to 5'7"... must be all torso.

I guess the question could be is the standover number of 30.86" the actual height of the top tube or the longest inseam measurement suggested for that model. For example if your inseam is 28" - 30.8" the 50 will fit if it's 31" -31.75" then get a 53 smaller than 28 would call for a 47. I know the best way is to actually ride the bike but with so many choices these days it's tough for the Stores to carry every model.

It's the actual height (or very close) to the top of the top tube, at the center of the measurement between the seat tube and head tube junction. The top tube is sloping, so it's lower as it gets closer to the seat tube and higher as it gets closer to the head tube. Keep in mind, tire size will make a difference, too.

The 50 is the correct size IMO, the 47 is too small and the 53 too large.

Did you measure your inseam barefooted? If so the 0.86" clearance + shoes will give you over an inch clearance.
If everything else is fine fit wise, then you're good imho.

fwiw, my bikes end up having the "two fingers of stand over room and a fistful of seatpost" fit.

This afternoon, I did an actual measurement of the standover height on a 50cm Aurora we have in the shop, measuring as close to the center point between the seat tube and head tube as I could in just eyeballing it. The height to the top of the top tube is just a tiny bit over 30 1/2"", perhaps 30 5/8." This thread got me curious as to the actual height of the top tube at the middle point, compared to the stated standover height on the Jamis geometry chart. This was with 700 x 32c tires on the bike.

imi makes a good point about barefooted inseam measurement (if that's the way you measured it) also. I really wouldn't worry about it too much anyway, based on the info you've given I think the 50cm is the size for you if you want a Jamis Aurora.

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'm leaning towards the 50cm. I've called a couple of shops but no one seems to have one in stock. What kills me is I work about 5 miles from their NJ wharehouse.