Frame Size

Pottsie said:

Is it better to have more or less room when standing over the bike, or does it really matter?

It doesn't really matter. My first suggestion is to be properly fitted at a bike shop.

Second suggestion is online guides:
competitivecyclist.comCCYOpen ↗
coloradocyclist.combikefitOpen ↗

Pottsie said:

I am 5' 8" tall and my inseam is 29". I have been told that I can use either a 52" or 54" frame. Is it better to have more or less room when standing over the bike, or does it really matter?

It depends. How quickly are you going to have to jump off of your bike and do you think you are going to get "bared"?

I personally nolonger worry about the gap while standing flat footed. I am more concerned about riding comfort than standing comfort. Is a 2cm at an angle really that much?

What does "bared" mean?

vadiver said:

It depends. How quickly are you going to have to jump off of your bike and do you think you are going to get "bared"?

I personally nolonger worry about the gap while standing flat footed. I am more concerned about riding comfort than standing comfort. Is a 2cm at an angle really that much?

Pottsie said:

What does "bared" mean?

A little painfull to describe.

Jumping off the seat and having the croch be the first thing to make solid contact with an unforgiving material.

Kind of like when you were a kid riding a bike that was definitely too big for you. The one you had to lean over 45 degrees and peddle with your tippie toes.

Pottsie said:

I am 5' 8" tall and my inseam is 29". I have been told that I can use either a 52" or 54" frame. Is it better to have more or less room when standing over the bike, or does it really matter?

The 52cm frame will probably be a better fit for you ... the top tube is generally in the 54cm range (c-c) on most modern 52cm frames ... you can adjust/tweak the reach, slightly, with the length of the stem DEPENDING ON the handlebars (which will have different reaches based on brand/model).

DO YOURSELF THE FAVOR AND GET PROPERLY FITTED AT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP. SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND MONEY. DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I MADE. GET FITTED!!!!!!!!!

Pottsie said:

I am 5' 8" tall and my inseam is 29". I have been told that I can use either a 52" or 54" frame. Is it better to have more or less room when standing over the bike, or does it really matter?

pete88 said:

DO YOURSELF THE FAVOR AND GET PROPERLY FITTED AT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP. SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND MONEY. DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I MADE. GET FITTED!!!!!!!!!

Bike fitting by formula is "okay" as a starting point ...

BUT, it has pitfalls.

One local shop who caters to the high-zoot set, here, tends to fit the rider with frames as if it were 1980 ... which is better than the frame fit for riders before 1970, but may not be the best fit.

A person with whom we occassionally ride who is only about an inch taller than I am was fitted with a 58cm frame (he dropped over $4500US on the purchase about three years ago) ... my 'friend" now (reluctantly) admits that a 56cm frame would probably have been a much better fit.

Few "fitters" seem to take into account all factors, IMO.

When in doubt, get the frame that is ONE SIZE smaller.

There are several on-line sites with formulas for frame fitting ... I'm sure someone will post them for you if you can't locate them using any standard search engine.

Just to back up all of the comments...

Riding a bike that is too small is all of the time better than riding a bike that is too big.

Or you could just get one that fits you. Meh.