A Different Frame Size / Standover Clearance Question?
Dalski
Posts: 17
Hi Everyone
I have a question about standover clearance which I hope someone will be able to help me with, this evening I went and checked out a Saracen Zen 1 bike with a frame size of 17" (I'm 5'6 and have an inside leg of 30") - when I straddled the bike the tip of the seat was touching the the bottom of my spine which means that my groin was basically around half way along the top tube of the cycle, this gave me a clearance of about 1" from this position over the bike. However, I'm a bit confused as to where exactly the measurement for clearance is supposed to calculated - if the seat post was removed from the cycle and I stood directly above this area then I would have standover clearance of around 3". Now, if I ordered a 15" frame to get better clearance from the first position I described - essentially I would still not have 3" clearance from the top tube as the 2" difference in the frame size is where the seat post is. Some clarification on where to take the measurement would be great.
I intend to use the cycle for around 60% offroad and 40% on-road - have added this as I know bike usage largely governs what size frame to buy and as far as I can make out 3" clearance is a good figure for offroad.
Hope this makes sense
Thanks in advance.
I have a question about standover clearance which I hope someone will be able to help me with, this evening I went and checked out a Saracen Zen 1 bike with a frame size of 17" (I'm 5'6 and have an inside leg of 30") - when I straddled the bike the tip of the seat was touching the the bottom of my spine which means that my groin was basically around half way along the top tube of the cycle, this gave me a clearance of about 1" from this position over the bike. However, I'm a bit confused as to where exactly the measurement for clearance is supposed to calculated - if the seat post was removed from the cycle and I stood directly above this area then I would have standover clearance of around 3". Now, if I ordered a 15" frame to get better clearance from the first position I described - essentially I would still not have 3" clearance from the top tube as the 2" difference in the frame size is where the seat post is. Some clarification on where to take the measurement would be great.
I intend to use the cycle for around 60% offroad and 40% on-road - have added this as I know bike usage largely governs what size frame to buy and as far as I can make out 3" clearance is a good figure for offroad.
Hope this makes sense
Thanks in advance.
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Comments
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forget any measurement as that went out of the window when suspension was invented.
How does the bike feel? and you can get one foot down?"Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Well if im honest it felt pretty damn good - although I only sat on it and didn't ride it. The guy in the shop told me to lift the bike up by the handlebars as high as I could while I was standing over it, he seemed to think the next size down would be better (that would have to be ordered in and wasn't from stock)0
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Oh, and what did you mean by "can I get one foot down?" - I had both feet on the floor when I was standing over the bike! I'm not THAT short! lol
Reminds me of when I used to ride around on my 6'7 mates racer years ago - could barely reach the pedals with the seat fully down
Could only get one foot on the floor at any given time. 0 -
i would atleast give the bike a ride round the car park if possible and see if you can get off the bike quickly without clattering your twig and giggleberries.0
