standover or TT lengh - what sizing works for you?
11-20-09, 08:53 PM
#26
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i think you have to go by lowest common denominator. by that, i mean if you have relatively long legs, choose based on TT length; if you have relatively long torso (or arms), choose based on ST length (really standover height).
11-20-09, 09:32 PM
#27
Fresh Garbage
I wouldn't choose based on stand over height. I own a 62cm road frame and 67cm road frame, they fit me almost the same because the top tube+stem lengths are close, I'm just slightly stretched on the 68. If I were to have the 68 fit me better I would need to get a shorter stem, that goes back effective TT length.
I'm one of your torso boys, for people my height I have shorter legs.
11-21-09, 10:48 AM
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11-21-09, 08:02 PM
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well, obviously if you need a 54cm TT, you'll probably get a 53cm frame. however, if your legs are short, you might not clear a 53cm frame. so, you're going to have to get a 52 or even 51cm frame this will result in a slightly shorter TT, which can be fixed with a longer stem.
so i stand by my words: if you can't clear a frame with the "ideal" TT length, you have to size based on ST/standover. obviously it's easier to ride a bike with slightly shorter TT than a slightly longer TT.
now, if you need a 54cm TT, but if your legs are long, you have to get a 53cm frame even though you can clear a 58cm frame. this way at least your reach will be correct even if the saddle/bar drop will be too aggressive.
but i agree with everyone who say "top tube length" because i agree, getting the right reach is the most important factor to consider when fitting a bike. but, depending on a rider's proportions, the rider will have to go with the lowest common denominator which can be either TT or ST/standover.
so i stand by my words: if you can't clear a frame with the "ideal" TT length, you have to size based on ST/standover. obviously it's easier to ride a bike with slightly shorter TT than a slightly longer TT.
now, if you need a 54cm TT, but if your legs are long, you have to get a 53cm frame even though you can clear a 58cm frame. this way at least your reach will be correct even if the saddle/bar drop will be too aggressive.
but i agree with everyone who say "top tube length" because i agree, getting the right reach is the most important factor to consider when fitting a bike. but, depending on a rider's proportions, the rider will have to go with the lowest common denominator which can be either TT or ST/standover.
11-21-09, 09:27 PM
#30
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well, obviously if you need a 54cm TT, you'll probably get a 53cm frame. however, if your legs are short, you might not clear a 53cm frame. so, you're going to have to get a 52 or even 51cm frame this will result in a slightly shorter TT, which can be fixed with a longer stem.
so i stand by my words: if you can't clear a frame with the "ideal" TT length, you have to size based on ST/standover. obviously it's easier to ride a bike with slightly shorter TT than a slightly longer TT.
now, if you need a 54cm TT, but if your legs are long, you have to get a 53cm frame even though you can clear a 58cm frame. this way at least your reach will be correct even if the saddle/bar drop will be too aggressive.
but i agree with everyone who say "top tube length" because i agree, getting the right reach is the most important factor to consider when fitting a bike. but, depending on a rider's proportions, the rider will have to go with the lowest common denominator which can be either TT or ST/standover.
so i stand by my words: if you can't clear a frame with the "ideal" TT length, you have to size based on ST/standover. obviously it's easier to ride a bike with slightly shorter TT than a slightly longer TT.
now, if you need a 54cm TT, but if your legs are long, you have to get a 53cm frame even though you can clear a 58cm frame. this way at least your reach will be correct even if the saddle/bar drop will be too aggressive.
but i agree with everyone who say "top tube length" because i agree, getting the right reach is the most important factor to consider when fitting a bike. but, depending on a rider's proportions, the rider will have to go with the lowest common denominator which can be either TT or ST/standover.
Ideally, we would all have the perfect length top tube. Realistically, we may have to make concessions to get decent standover.
11-22-09, 03:05 AM
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Something that bears mentioning is that like other track frames, the Kilo has a pretty high BB for pedal strike clearance... its drop is 6cm compared to 7+ for a regular road bike. This puts its standover 1+ cm higher than a road bike with otherwise comparable geometry.
Besides that i agree with previous posters: go to a good LBS (these can be somewhat hard to find) and get fitted, or you stand a pretty good chance of getting something that doesn't quite work.
Besides that i agree with previous posters: go to a good LBS (these can be somewhat hard to find) and get fitted, or you stand a pretty good chance of getting something that doesn't quite work.
11-22-09, 05:47 AM
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Standover height is certainly the most important. But in both the case of standover and TT length, it's always safer to be on the short side, than have a bike that is too big. If your top tube is too short you can get a stem with a longer reach - if it's too long - well... If the height of the top tube is a little short that's ok, because the seat height is adjustable - but if the stand over height is too high for you - that can be a pain. In sensitive areas.
Keep in mind that even Sheldon didn't say standover height was less important than TT length, just that TT Length is more important than seat tube length. Which is entirely correct - since two bikes can have the exact same stand over height, but due to variances in geometry and bottom bracket height will have different length seat tubes. The length of the seat tube is basically irrelevant.
Beyond all that hypothetical posturing, a good shop will have a rig where they can figure out the best fit for you, standover, top tube length, etc. (it's like a fully adjustable exercise bike). If no shops in your area have one of those, your best bet is to just take several bikes for test rides and see what you feel more comfortable with.
Keep in mind that even Sheldon didn't say standover height was less important than TT length, just that TT Length is more important than seat tube length. Which is entirely correct - since two bikes can have the exact same stand over height, but due to variances in geometry and bottom bracket height will have different length seat tubes. The length of the seat tube is basically irrelevant.
Beyond all that hypothetical posturing, a good shop will have a rig where they can figure out the best fit for you, standover, top tube length, etc. (it's like a fully adjustable exercise bike). If no shops in your area have one of those, your best bet is to just take several bikes for test rides and see what you feel more comfortable with.
11-22-09, 08:57 AM
#33
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Standover height is certainly the most important. But in both the case of standover and TT length, it's always safer to be on the short side, than have a bike that is too big. If your top tube is too short you can get a stem with a longer reach - if it's too long - well... If the height of the top tube is a little short that's ok, because the seat height is adjustable - but if the stand over height is too high for you - that can be a pain. In sensitive areas.
Keep in mind that even Sheldon didn't say standover height was less important than TT length, just that TT Length is more important than seat tube length. Which is entirely correct - since two bikes can have the exact same stand over height, but due to variances in geometry and bottom bracket height will have different length seat tubes. The length of the seat tube is basically irrelevant.
Beyond all that hypothetical posturing, a good shop will have a rig where they can figure out the best fit for you, standover, top tube length, etc. (it's like a fully adjustable exercise bike). If no shops in your area have one of those, your best bet is to just take several bikes for test rides and see what you feel more comfortable with.
Keep in mind that even Sheldon didn't say standover height was less important than TT length, just that TT Length is more important than seat tube length. Which is entirely correct - since two bikes can have the exact same stand over height, but due to variances in geometry and bottom bracket height will have different length seat tubes. The length of the seat tube is basically irrelevant.
Beyond all that hypothetical posturing, a good shop will have a rig where they can figure out the best fit for you, standover, top tube length, etc. (it's like a fully adjustable exercise bike). If no shops in your area have one of those, your best bet is to just take several bikes for test rides and see what you feel more comfortable with.
11-22-09, 11:17 AM
#34
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Standover clearance is overrated. Plenty of people ride motorcycles that they can't flat-foot with both feet, and those weigh hundreds of pounds that you have to balance at each stoplight. It's generally not recommended that your first motorbike be that tall, but after that it's fine.
For a bicycle, that weighs all of 25 pounds, how is it worse?
For a bicycle, that weighs all of 25 pounds, how is it worse?
