Novice question re bike fitting

Bring it to a reputable bike shop and ask them in person.

JD

drfugawe said:

I recently bought my first mountain bike (for rec riding on area
forests roads primarily - SW Oregon). It's been years since I did any
significant riding, and then it was on single speed fat tire bikes.
So I did some research and read that for my height - 5'10" - a frame
size of 19.5 was OK - I bought a 5 yr old Iron Horse 100 (entry level
bike), 19.5 frame, and have since been getting used to it. But I'm
confused with some of the things I'm reading - like the rule that the
stand-over height should be 1-4 inches from the top of the crossbar to
the crotch. I don't really know if that rule is measuring just from
the angle where the legs meet, or is taking into account one's
scrotum? In my case, if the measurement is from the point where my
legs meet, I meet the 1" rule, since I don't intend to use the bike
for any real mountain biking. Otherwise, I don't even meet the 1"
rule.

The Iron Horse manual says if the measurement is less than the 1", the
bike shouldn't be ridden! However, I'm not uncomfortable riding this
bike. So, am I OK with a 19.5 frame? I'm sure I can easily sell it
for the price I paid, which I'd do if the consensus is that this bike
frame is too tall for me for safety's sake.

(Very) generally speaking, a "19.5" frame is considered large for someone
5'10". However, if you feel comfortable riding it, then it's OK (at least
for now).

As JD said, your best bet is to go to a decent bike shop and have them check
your fit on the bike (this one or your next).

Finally, the top tube clearance "rule" really isn't. TT /length/ is really
more important that /height/; perhaps that's why you feel fine on this
supposedly too-big rig. (Also, you actually LIFT UP the bike into your
body, and see how far off the ground the tires are; if they're well clear of
the ground, you shouldn't end up a Soprano if you crash.)

Ride the thing.
--
BS (no, I mean it)

Nominal bike frame measurements are a tough way to compare the actual
suitability of the bike size to the rider. First, bike manufacturers
measure their frames differently. Second, bike geometry makes similar
"sized" bikes fit differently between makers. Third, the intended use of
the bike calls for different fitting standards. There's probably more
reasons, but suffice it to say that nominal sizing often isn't the
determining factor in bike fitting.

The important factor in bike fitting is that the frame and cockpit
components (i.e. stem, seatpost, etc) allow the rider to be in a comfortable
and efficient position for the style of pedalling they do. This will reduce
soreness and fatigue in the knees, back, wrists and neck, and just make your
bike riding that much more fun.

Optimally you would have test ridden several bike sizes and style before
buying one, but since you already have it, try visiting a bike shop and ask
a knowledgable salesperson to assist with a fitting. (Some shops might
charge for this). Possibly they would suggest adjustments to the seat or
stem positioning to make things more comfortable for you. There's nothing
you can do about the frame size for now unless you decide to replace it.

Beware the urge to try the other bikes at the shop. You're likely to find
something that fits and feels a whole lot nicer ;-)

Cheers
Gary

"drfugawe" <completelylost@wherdafugawe> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I recently bought my first mountain bike (for rec riding on area
forests roads primarily - SW Oregon). It's been years since I did any
significant riding, and then it was on single speed fat tire bikes.
So I did some research and read that for my height - 5'10" - a frame
size of 19.5 was OK - I bought a 5 yr old Iron Horse 100 (entry level
bike), 19.5 frame, and have since been getting used to it. But I'm
confused with some of the things I'm reading - like the rule that the
stand-over height should be 1-4 inches from the top of the crossbar to
the crotch. I don't really know if that rule is measuring just from
the angle where the legs meet, or is taking into account one's
scrotum? In my case, if the measurement is from the point where my
legs meet, I meet the 1" rule, since I don't intend to use the bike
for any real mountain biking. Otherwise, I don't even meet the 1"
rule.

The Iron Horse manual says if the measurement is less than the 1", the
bike shouldn't be ridden! However, I'm not uncomfortable riding this
bike. So, am I OK with a 19.5 frame? I'm sure I can easily sell it
for the price I paid, which I'd do if the consensus is that this bike
frame is too tall for me for safety's sake.

Thanks for responding to a purely novice question.
jm

"drfugawe" <completelylost@wherdafugawe> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I recently bought my first mountain bike (for rec riding on area
forests roads primarily - SW Oregon). It's been years since I did any
significant riding, and then it was on single speed fat tire bikes.
So I did some research and read that for my height - 5'10" - a frame
size of 19.5 was OK - I bought a 5 yr old Iron Horse 100 (entry level
bike), 19.5 frame, and have since been getting used to it. But I'm
confused with some of the things I'm reading - like the rule that the
stand-over height should be 1-4 inches from the top of the crossbar to
the crotch. I don't really know if that rule is measuring just from
the angle where the legs meet, or is taking into account one's
scrotum? In my case, if the measurement is from the point where my
legs meet, I meet the 1" rule, since I don't intend to use the bike
for any real mountain biking. Otherwise, I don't even meet the 1"
rule.

The Iron Horse manual says if the measurement is less than the 1", the
bike shouldn't be ridden! However, I'm not uncomfortable riding this
bike. So, am I OK with a 19.5 frame? I'm sure I can easily sell it
for the price I paid, which I'd do if the consensus is that this bike
frame is too tall for me for safety's sake.

Thanks for responding to a purely novice question.
jm

Bike fit is a highly personal thing. If you like the bike, are comfortable
on it, and feel relatively in control, it's probably a fine starter bike,
and the fact that it probably has a straight top tube that is close to the
cojones shouldn't be a huge factor. Very few crashes ever land your
business on that bar.

Just a thought. Best bike fit if you are truly ignorant is to find an
honest, experienced shop owner who can measure you to the bike and make
recommendations as to seat height and angle, frame size, stem size and
angle, etc.

CDB

S o r n i said:

drfugawe said:

I recently bought my first mountain bike (for rec riding on area
forests roads primarily - SW Oregon). It's been years since I did any
significant riding, and then it was on single speed fat tire bikes.
So I did some research and read that for my height - 5'10" - a frame
size of 19.5 was OK - I bought a 5 yr old Iron Horse 100 (entry level
bike), 19.5 frame, and have since been getting used to it. But I'm
confused with some of the things I'm reading - like the rule that the
stand-over height should be 1-4 inches from the top of the crossbar to
the crotch. I don't really know if that rule is measuring just from
the angle where the legs meet, or is taking into account one's
scrotum? In my case, if the measurement is from the point where my
legs meet, I meet the 1" rule, since I don't intend to use the bike
for any real mountain biking. Otherwise, I don't even meet the 1"
rule.

The Iron Horse manual says if the measurement is less than the 1", the
bike shouldn't be ridden! However, I'm not uncomfortable riding this
bike. So, am I OK with a 19.5 frame? I'm sure I can easily sell it
for the price I paid, which I'd do if the consensus is that this bike
frame is too tall for me for safety's sake.

(Very) generally speaking, a "19.5" frame is considered large for someone
5'10". However, if you feel comfortable riding it, then it's OK (at least
for now).

As JD said, your best bet is to go to a decent bike shop and have them check
your fit on the bike (this one or your next).

Finally, the top tube clearance "rule" really isn't. TT /length/ is really
more important that /height/; perhaps that's why you feel fine on this
supposedly too-big rig. (Also, you actually LIFT UP the bike into your
body, and see how far off the ground the tires are; if they're well clear of
the ground, you shouldn't end up a Soprano if you crash.)

Ride the thing.

I would agree. I am also 5'10" but I ride a 15.5in frame because not
only do I ride aggressively but I also like to have the clearance in
case the painful happens, ouch. But for a road for instance, I ride a
larger size.

One thing that sucks about my body type is that my torso is longer for a
guy my height. Basically, if the geometry of the 15.5 inch frame is
untouched I tend to sit very upright since my upper body has more
reach. I work around this on my Dakar by sporting a s-tube seat post
which gives me a 1.5in offset. My LBS told me I could have went with a
longer stem instead but I like the steering with a short as possible stem.

The point is to definitely get a professional opinion but also take into
account the riding you will be doing and what makes you feel the most
comfortable.

Peace

--
David R Marlborough
DJ Mackelicious
http://walkingwounded.blogspot.com/

"drfugawe" <completelylost@wherdafugawe> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I recently bought my first mountain bike (for rec riding on area
forests roads primarily - SW Oregon). It's been years since I did any
significant riding, and then it was on single speed fat tire bikes.
So I did some research and read that for my height - 5'10" - a frame
size of 19.5 was OK - I bought a 5 yr old Iron Horse 100 (entry level
bike), 19.5 frame, and have since been getting used to it. But I'm
confused with some of the things I'm reading - like the rule that the
stand-over height should be 1-4 inches from the top of the crossbar to
the crotch. I don't really know if that rule is measuring just from
the angle where the legs meet, or is taking into account one's
scrotum? In my case, if the measurement is from the point where my
legs meet, I meet the 1" rule, since I don't intend to use the bike
for any real mountain biking. Otherwise, I don't even meet the 1"
rule.

The Iron Horse manual says if the measurement is less than the 1", the
bike shouldn't be ridden! However, I'm not uncomfortable riding this
bike. So, am I OK with a 19.5 frame? I'm sure I can easily sell it
for the price I paid, which I'd do if the consensus is that this bike
frame is too tall for me for safety's sake.

Thanks for responding to a purely novice question.
jm

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/

--
DTW .../\.../\.../\...

I've spent most of my money on mountain biking and windsurfing.
The rest, I've just wasted.

I note that several folks responded to this post. Interesting that

A) Nobody flamed the poster
B) Everybody gave similar advice in varying detail
and
C) Everybody stayed on topic. Even JD resisted advising him to dump the
bike for a single speed...;-)

"Gwood" wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

I note that several folks responded to this post. Interesting that

A) Nobody flamed the poster
B) Everybody gave similar advice in varying detail
and
C) Everybody stayed on topic. Even JD resisted advising him to
dump the bike for a single speed...;-)

Is it too late to fix this now?

Parbs

"Gwood" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I note that several folks responded to this post. Interesting that

A) Nobody flamed the poster
B) Everybody gave similar advice in varying detail
and
C) Everybody stayed on topic. Even JD resisted advising him to dump the
bike for a single speed...;-)

a kinder, gentler AM-B.....

I don't buy it...

Chris Phillipo said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]

says...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Subject: Re: Novice question re bike fitting
From: "Gwood" <[email hidden]>
Newsgroups: alt.mountain-bike

I note that several folks responded to this post. Interesting that

A) Nobody flamed the poster
B) Everybody gave similar advice in varying detail
and
C) Everybody stayed on topic. Even JD resisted advising him to

dump the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bike for a single speed...;-)

JD was probably busy and I missed the original post.

There was nowhere to be even slightly deft with a singleseed
suggestion. Frame fit is frame fit, whether a singlespeed, or a geared
bike. Now if his bike had chainsuck...

JD