Cyclocross bike fit different?

[Bryan C]

I have started looking at cyclocross bikes, which I want for
commuting/touring and dirt road riding. One shop I was at
recommended getting a frame TWO sizes smaller than my road
bike frame, which is a 56 for my Fuji. The explanation was
that the bottom bracket was higher, so you need to go to the
smaller size to have the proper stand-over height. Do
experienced cyclocrossers agree with this recommendation.
Yes, I know there are different methods of measuring the
frame sizes on road bikes, so this may not be exact. But
does it work in general?

[Brad In Alb'Q]

bryancasinger@aol.com (Bryan C) wrote in message news:<491cfcc1.0407100418.4e8bbc55@posting.google.com>...
> I have started looking at cyclocross bikes, which I want
> for commuting/touring and dirt road riding. One shop I was
> at recommended getting a frame TWO sizes smaller than my
> road bike frame, which is a 56 for my Fuji. The
> explanation was that the bottom bracket was higher, so you
> need to go to the smaller size to have the proper stand-
> over height. Do experienced cyclocrossers agree with this
> recommendation. Yes, I know there are different methods of
> measuring the frame sizes on road bikes, so this may not
> be exact. But does it work in general?

Bryan, I bought a cross bike a couple of years ago and have
been using it for commuting, trail riding and road riding.
It has virtually replaced my road bike since the cross bike
is more comfortable and fun to ride. It is the same frame
size as my road bike. I have taken it onto pretty rough,
rocky trails and don't have a problem with stand over
height. I rarely need to straddle the top tube though.

I would recommend you buy a frame that feels the best for
the type of riding that will put the most miles on your
bike. Buying a small frame would make commuting and touring
uncomfortable. Plus, if you will be racing it in cyclocross,
you mount and dismount, but don't need to straddle the tube,
so I don't see how that would make a difference. Brad

[Benjamin Weiner]

bryancasinger@aol.com (Bryan C) wrote:

> I have started looking at cyclocross bikes, which I want
> for commuting/touring and dirt road riding. One shop I was
> at recommended getting a frame TWO sizes smaller than my
> road bike frame, which is a 56 for my Fuji. The
> explanation was that the bottom bracket was higher, so you
> need to go to the smaller size to have the proper stand-
> over height. Do experienced cyclocrossers agree with this
> recommendation. Yes, I know there are different methods of
> measuring the frame sizes on road bikes, so this may not
> be exact. But does it work in general?

Not necessarily, and it may not work at all if you can't get
the bars high enough. A small-size bike is a problem, unless
it has a long head tube and upsloping toptube, perhaps.

Unscheduled get-offs are more common in cross than on the
road, but not an issue for commuting and dirt-road riding.
Still, standover is never really the first priority in
bike fit - you rarely straddle the bike dead upright in
your socks.

For more on cyclocross bike fit see Adam Myerson's
article at

http://www.cycle- (http://www.cycle-/)
smart.com/coaching/articles/crossbike1.html