After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I came across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was, or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't getting squished. Others told me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on. Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my bike's manual. Haro says I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with shoes that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
"J. Slater" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
Quoted message said:
across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was, or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't getting squished. Others
told
Quoted message said:
me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on. Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my bike's manual. Haro
says
Quoted message said:
I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
Quoted message said:
that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
What gives?
Your nuts, if you happen to slide off the seat.....haha.
Seriously, I have a 30 inseam and I've never seen a bike that would give me 4 inches of standover. The main factors that are important to me 1) that I am not stretched out too far while my hands are on the grips; 2) that I can reach the ground in a technical section without having to lean the bike over. This is where the standover comes in. I have about 1.5 inches on my current bike and that is sufficient. I'm not sure where the 4" recommendation came from. I've heard it mentioned a couple places lately and think it is excessive. When I bought a bike 10 years ago, I distinctly remember them telling me 1" on that particular model.
"J. Slater" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:
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Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my bike's manual.
Modern mountain bikes with sloped, curved top tubes have so much stand over clearance that that becomes an issue only for short riders. For most riders, handlebar reach is more important. You'll probably have 2 or 3 sizes that give you enough stand over clearance. Choose the one with the right amount of reach for you.
"J. Slater" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
Quoted message said:
across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was, or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't getting squished. Others
told
Quoted message said:
me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on. Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my bike's manual. Haro
says
Quoted message said:
I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
Quoted message said:
that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
What gives?
Standover height is just a rough firsthand method of sizing. I think that recently there where some posts with web sites explaining proper sizing of a bike. Method becomes kind a funny since today there is so many geometries, systems etc.
As for the 5cm is enough? Depends what kind of ride you ordinary do. If you do some at least a bit technical uphill and you stuck in a middle of it, you will cherish additional 5 cm.
I went with the 17.5 and also extended the reach. Small world. I too looked at a Jamis XLT but couldn't see what was worth the extra $600. The X3 was nice but no Rock Shox for me, thanks. The hydraulic brakes are really nice though. I bought my Haro from Don Vo at Discovery cycles on Anderson lane. Super guy.
Have fun out there!
"PirateLord®" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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What size frame did you go with on your Haro? What model did you finally decide on? I got the Extreme 2.0 and just love it. I do wonder if I
should
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have bought the bullet and spent the extra $400 for the X3, which has the hydraulic discs, and XT stuff. But I really like the Marzzochi forks over the Rock Shox. I've had friends curse them after a year or two and they always seem to end up with Bombers.
I have the 17.5 frame and I stand just at 5'11" with a 33 inch inseam. I also have about 2 inches or so of "boys" clearance, and since the top tube has a "dip" in it, this really helps. I found that I need to have the handlebar neck (I can't recall the actual name) from the 19" frame put on the 17.5 frame to make the feel just right. Just another reason to buy
from
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Discovery Cycles as they did this mod for me without even a whimper. I
just
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love it!
I wonder how much if any more would I have liked the Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 that I lusted after... I'm glad the jerks at Buck's Bikes treated me like
a
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[censored]. Saved me $800. And I really think I got a great bike with the Haro.
Peace out!
"J. Slater" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
Quoted message said:
across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was, or what my inseam measurement was. Some said
to
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't getting squished. Others
told
Quoted message said:
me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you
feel
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the most comfortable on. Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my bike's manual. Haro
says
Quoted message said:
I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
Quoted message said:
that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of
clearance
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
when wearing tight bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
"J. Slater" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
Quoted message said:
across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was, or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't getting squished. Others
told
Quoted message said:
me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on. Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my bike's manual. Haro
says
Quoted message said:
I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
Quoted message said:
that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
What gives?
Beats me too. There seem to be too many measuring systems and too many geometries to ever be 100% sure of matching rider to bike without actually riding it. I'm 5'7" and have Duck's disease - my legs are short. On a cold day I've got 2" clearance over the frame but feel absolutely comfortable in the "cockpit" as far as length and reach goes. <shrug> -- Westie
