bike sizing

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I am now in the market to pick out my new bike.

The big concern I am having with picking out a new bike is sizing.
I understand the ride hight I need, and seat hight, but am a bit
concerned with the seat to handlebar measurements.
I noticed that last year, when changing the stem on my current bike to
a shorter piece, that I started getting back pains that I never had
before. I have been riding this same bike since 1999.

Is there a guideline or rule of thumb for bike/rider geometry that I
can follow when looking for my new bike?
I am riding a XC, with no large jumps or drops.

Mike
mlawrenc(at)gmail.com

"mike" <mlawrenc@gmail.com> skrev i en meddelelse
news:a9aa5ac6-5ea9-4ee6-98a8-e7d7cd75ece8@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>I am now in the market to pick out my new bike.
>
> The big concern I am having with picking out a new bike is sizing.
> I understand the ride hight I need, and seat hight, but am a bit
> concerned with the seat to handlebar measurements.
> I noticed that last year, when changing the stem on my current bike to
> a shorter piece, that I started getting back pains that I never had
> before. I have been riding this same bike since 1999.
>
> Is there a guideline or rule of thumb for bike/rider geometry that I
> can follow when looking for my new bike?
> I am riding a XC, with no large jumps or drops.
>
> Mike
> mlawrenc(at)gmail.com


Im curious about this too.
I think I bought myself a too large bike.
Considering to get a shorter stem, to get a more upright position.
Feel that the tension i the back is less when I rise and only steer with the
knuckles.

;-)
tomov
(pardon my english)

penta@panto.com wrote:
> "mike" <mlawrenc@gmail.com> skrev i en meddelelse
> news:a9aa5ac6-5ea9-4ee6-98a8-e7d7cd75ece8@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>> I am now in the market to pick out my new bike.
>>
>> The big concern I am having with picking out a new bike is sizing.
>> I understand the ride hight I need, and seat hight, but am a bit
>> concerned with the seat to handlebar measurements.
>> I noticed that last year, when changing the stem on my current bike to
>> a shorter piece, that I started getting back pains that I never had
>> before. I have been riding this same bike since 1999.
>>
>> Is there a guideline or rule of thumb for bike/rider geometry that I
>> can follow when looking for my new bike?
>> I am riding a XC, with no large jumps or drops.
>>
>> Mike
>> mlawrenc(at)gmail.com
>
>
> Im curious about this too.
> I think I bought myself a too large bike.
> Considering to get a shorter stem, to get a more upright position.
> Feel that the tension i the back is less when I rise and only steer with the
> knuckles.
>
> ;-)
> tomov
> (pardon my english)
>
>
Stand over height really determines frame size while stem length and
seat position are determined by arm length torso to length,and when a
bike is fit to you for proper riding position it is not always the most
comfortable for people to ride in especially if you are more of a
weekend warrior then a racer,a good LBS should help you fit your bike to
your body and riding type(for free if you bought your bike there.{if
they don't find a new bike shop})so shops don't care if the bike fits as
long as they sell you something they have in stock be careful.If you
already have a frame and don't want to buy a new one try different stem
lengths and angles,with and without riser bars and find a place your
comfortable riding and then get out and ride because if your not riding
it ,it really doesn't matter how it fits!

<penta@panto.com> wrote in message
news:47ebf677$0$2094$edfadb0f@dtext02.news.tele.dk...
> "mike" <mlawrenc@gmail.com> skrev i en meddelelse
> news:a9aa5ac6-5ea9-4ee6-98a8-e7d7cd75ece8@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> >I am now in the market to pick out my new bike.
> >
> > The big concern I am having with picking out a new bike is sizing.
> > I understand the ride hight I need, and seat hight, but am a bit
> > concerned with the seat to handlebar measurements.
> > I noticed that last year, when changing the stem on my current bike to
> > a shorter piece, that I started getting back pains that I never had
> > before. I have been riding this same bike since 1999.
> >
> > Is there a guideline or rule of thumb for bike/rider geometry that I
> > can follow when looking for my new bike?
> > I am riding a XC, with no large jumps or drops.
> >
> > Mike
> > mlawrenc(at)gmail.com
>
>
> Im curious about this too.
> I think I bought myself a too large bike.
> Considering to get a shorter stem, to get a more upright position.
> Feel that the tension i the back is less when I rise and only steer with
the
> knuckles.
>
> ;-)
> tomov
> (pardon my english)
>
Vertical sizing like standover and leg extension is a lot easier than the
other dimensions of the cockpit. There are a few websites out there that
try to establish seat placement and stem length based on torso and arm
measurements, but it's more art than science I think. The real world
application is that you get a frame that is within the ballpark, and tweak
your components to your personal preferences.

I have two MTB frames that I ride that are nominally the same size (but
different brands and slightly different geometries). One is my commuter,
and one is a dedicated trail ride. They are set up quite differently, and
both seem to work well for their purpose. My point being that even a
best-guess at component sizing based on height, standover and those nominal
measurements, will change based on usage and personal feel.

Not to say that going to an LBS and having a pro fit you is a bad thing - if
you give them all the right details (and they're good) they will get close.
Experiment from there and find your sweet spot(s). A sore back may result
form a big switch in stance. If it persists, try another stance. If it
doesn't, sometimes it is just a personal adjustment your body makes to
exercise under a new posture.