Bike sizing question

I'm certainly not an expert, but I'll here's some advise. There's much more to a proper fit than just the "stand over test". Other considerations include:

• Your reach to the handlebars, which is influenced by the top tube length & angle, stem lenght, handlebar type, and seat position
  
• Handlebar width
  
• Relationship of knees to elbows while pedaling
  
• Position of knees relative to the pedal centerline
  
• Seat height and fore/aft position
  

There are established guidelines for the above that are used as a baseline for a proper fit, depending on the type of riding AND the type of bike. A good bike shop should spend time with the customer to ask questions, make adjustments, and change components as necessary.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by cka3n


The guys at the bike store both recommended an 18" Response frame. When I did the calculations I could find around the Internet, 18" seems sufficient (32" - 10" - ~2" for clearance). But, when I stand astride the bike, I am definitely touching. The manual suggests that I shouldn't even have taken the bike for a test-ride, so I am a little concerned about the conflict between my sizing calculations, the bike store guys' advice, and the clearance recommendations and the manual.

The manual says what it does for a reason, and there are also often explicit warnings on the shipping cartons about adequate standover clearance. There are also other fit partmaters that apply. LBS idiots are often just that, and sell what they have, not what one needs.