How important is standover height?
Gabbo
Posts: 864
Read somewhere that it's irrelevant and that the top tube length is more important as it's the least adjustable. Can anyone either confirm or expand on this? Thanks
0
Gabbo
Posts: 864
Gabbo
Posts: 864
Posts
However, compact frames are deceptive as they have a sloping top tube so the important measurement then is the "virtual" top tube length. This is an imaginary line from the top of the head tube to where the top tube would meet the seat tube if the top tube was horizontal.
That said if your inside leg measurement is shorter than the standover height you had better learn to stop with your bike canted over or you might squash the crown jewels when trying to reach the floor.
I'd add to this: if you have to hop out of the saddle when you stop and lean the bike over to avoid denting the top tube with anything, you've got the wrong frame size.
XM-057 rigid 29er
If you have a look on the Ribble bike geometry info you'll see under Ribble carbon road frames there is a listing for C and C+ where C is actual top tube length and C+ is effective top tube.
I know first and foremost is what feels comfortable to me, but if my stand-over height is 3 - 4 inches above the top tube, will this be a problem?
Thanks for the responses
No. I'd imagine you'd be on a smaller frame size than someone of the same height but more evenly proportioned, so you'd have a little more standover.
I'd agree with the post above, if you can't literally stand over your bike without smashing your crown jewels off the top tube then the frame is probably too big. But you can't say a bike is 'too small' from standover. The TT length, as already said, is what matters.
"As I said last time, it won't happen again."
I'd suspect that with your dimensions you would be a 56 or 58 frame depending on the manufacturer. Generally you are better off on a slightly smaller frame than a slightly too large frame as you can compensate with a longer seat tube or handlebar stem. I think that as your legs are 'too long'(!) then you would be best advised to cough up the hundred quid or so and pay for a bike fit. If your LBS is knowledgeable about road bikes then they should be able to size you up correctly at minimal cost though. I agree with everyone else that these days with modern frame geometry then standover measurements are pretty much useless. The only thing you could use it for in your case is that you would need to have a big gap between the top tube and the crown jewels.
Regards, EarlyGo
Personally, i d have thought abit short! but even if that was a trouser size its not so long and in any case, without knowing your reach, arm length, flexibility, use etc etc etc it certainly not possible to guess you a size
Google Competitivefit, get some one to measure you and it will at least give you a basic idea.
Very hard to say unfortunately. I have similar proportions to you (5'11" and 33" legs) and ride a 55cm frame with around 12cm drop from saddle to bars. Luckily these days I'm pretty flexible so I'm OK with the large drop, you may or may not be.
My instinct is that a 58cm with a relatively tall head tube would probably suit you (but it depends a lot on your flexibility and core strength). Compare these 58cm frames -
CAAD10 http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/road/elite-road/caad10/2012-caad10-1-dura-ace-19991
Specialized Roubaix http://www.specialized.com/ie/gb/bikes/road/roubaix/s-worksroubaixsl3osbbframeset#geometry
and you can see what I mean. The difference between 175mm vs 225mm head tubes makes a lot of difference to how easy it is to get the front end in the right place for you (I wouldn't want to put 50mm of spacers on the CAAD10).
If you have long legs/short torso then standover becomes irrelevant. Any bike short enough for your upper body is easily low enough for your legs. Standover becomes an issue for the opposite body type (short legs, long torso).
In selecting a smaller frame, you will need a more extended seatpost. There is nothing wrong with this but note that the head-tube may be short, resulting in low handlebars. Compact style frames have low standover but the headtube is roughly the same as a trad bike style. Sportiff style bikes are designed for long, endurance rides so come with a higher head-tube.
If you need a frame that is short, without being too low at the front, you can use the different styles to get a best fit.
I'm just under 5' 10" with a 30.5" inside leg. I ride a 54 cm Allez, and effectively don't have any clearance at the top tube. I always cant the bike when I stop. The 52 just felt far too small in positioning for the top tube.
Halfords?
Maybe he has grown in the last two years and needs a new standover height calculation
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.
Or his balls have dropped