Bike sizing...

[J. Slater]

After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I came across several vastly
different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was, or what my inseam
measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't getting squished.
Others told me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most
comfortable on. Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least
according to my bike's manual. Haro says I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when
standing with shoes that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when
wearing tight bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.

What gives?

 

[Iggy Peuterbaug]

"J. Slater" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
> across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was,
> or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't
> getting squished. Others
told
> me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on.
> Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my
> bike's manual. Haro
says
> I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
> that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight
> bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
>
> What gives?

Your nuts, if you happen to slide off the seat.....haha.

Seriously, I have a 30 inseam and I've never seen a bike that would give me 4 inches of standover.
The main factors that are important to me 1) that I am not stretched out too far while my hands are
on the grips; 2) that I can reach the ground in a technical section without having to lean the bike
over. This is where the standover comes in. I have about 1.5 inches on my current bike and that is
sufficient. I'm not sure where the 4" recommendation came from. I've heard it mentioned a couple
places lately and think it is excessive. When I bought a bike 10 years ago, I distinctly remember
them telling me 1" on that particular model.

 

[Ken]

"J. Slater" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my
> bike's manual.

Modern mountain bikes with sloped, curved top tubes have so much stand over clearance that that
becomes an issue only for short riders. For most riders, handlebar reach is more important. You'll
probably have 2 or 3 sizes that give you enough stand over clearance. Choose the one with the right
amount of reach for you.

 

[Wanguard]

"J. Slater" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
> across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was,
> or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't
> getting squished. Others
told
> me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on.
> Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my
> bike's manual. Haro
says
> I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
> that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight
> bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
>
> What gives?
>

Standover height is just a rough firsthand method of sizing. I think that recently there where some
posts with web sites explaining proper sizing of a bike. Method becomes kind a funny since today
there is so many geometries, systems etc.

As for the 5cm is enough? Depends what kind of ride you ordinary do. If you do some at least a bit
technical uphill and you stuck in a middle of it, you will cherish additional 5 cm.

But whole story is much more complex, so try this web for a start
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/03mar/kronpa.htm

D'amir

 

[Piratelord®]

What size frame did you go with on your Haro? What model did you finally decide on? I got the
Extreme 2.0 and just love it. I do wonder if I should have bought the bullet and spent the extra
$400 for the X3, which has the hydraulic discs, and XT stuff. But I really like the Marzzochi forks
over the Rock Shox. I've had friends curse them after a year or two and they always seem to end up
with Bombers.

I have the 17.5 frame and I stand just at 5'11" with a 33 inch inseam. I also have about 2 inches or
so of "boys" clearance, and since the top tube has a "dip" in it, this really helps. I found that I
need to have the handlebar neck (I can't recall the actual name) from the 19" frame put on the 17.5
frame to make the feel just right. Just another reason to buy from Discovery Cycles as they did this
mod for me without even a whimper. I just love it!

I wonder how much if any more would I have liked the Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 that I lusted after... I'm
glad the jerks at Buck's Bikes treated me like a retard. Saved me $800. And I really think I got a
great bike with the Haro.

Peace out!

"J. Slater" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
> across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was,
> or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't
> getting squished. Others
told
> me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on.
> Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my
> bike's manual. Haro
says
> I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
> that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight
> bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
>
> What gives?

 

[Dave]

"PirateLord®" <piratolorddon'[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> What size frame did you go with on your Haro?

<snip>
I
> also have about 2 inches or so of "boys" clearance, and since the top tube has a "dip" in it, this
> really helps.

<snip>

So, is the 'boys clearance' freefall-a-la-commando or in snug-'em-and-hug-'em-thong-stylee ?

;-)

Dave

 

[Piratelord®]

I went with the 17.5 and also extended the reach. Small world. I too looked at a Jamis XLT but
couldn't see what was worth the extra $600. The X3 was nice but no Rock Shox for me, thanks. The
hydraulic brakes are really nice though. I bought my Haro from Don Vo at Discovery cycles on
Anderson lane. Super guy.

Have fun out there!

"PirateLord®" <piratolorddon'[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> What size frame did you go with on your Haro? What model did you finally decide on? I got the
> Extreme 2.0 and just love it. I do wonder if I
should
> have bought the bullet and spent the extra $400 for the X3, which has the hydraulic discs, and XT
> stuff. But I really like the Marzzochi forks over the Rock Shox. I've had friends curse them after
> a year or two and they always seem to end up with Bombers.
>
> I have the 17.5 frame and I stand just at 5'11" with a 33 inch inseam. I also have about 2 inches
> or so of "boys" clearance, and since the top tube has a "dip" in it, this really helps. I found
> that I need to have the handlebar neck (I can't recall the actual name) from the 19" frame put on
> the 17.5 frame to make the feel just right. Just another reason to buy
from
> Discovery Cycles as they did this mod for me without even a whimper. I
just
> love it!
>
> I wonder how much if any more would I have liked the Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 that I lusted after...
> I'm glad the jerks at Buck's Bikes treated me like
a
> retard. Saved me $800. And I really think I got a great bike with the Haro.
>
>
> Peace out!
>
> "J. Slater" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
> came
> > across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was,
> > or what my inseam measurement was. Some said
to
> > stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't getting squished. Others
> told
> > me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you
feel
> > the most comfortable on. Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a
> > frame, at least according to my bike's manual. Haro
> says
> > I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
> shoes
> > that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of
clearance
> > when wearing tight bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
> >
> > What gives?
> >
>

 

[Penny S.]

Dave thoughtfully penned:
> "PirateLord®" <piratolorddon'[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> What size frame did you go with on your Haro?
>
> <snip>
> I
>> also have about 2 inches or so of "boys" clearance, and since the top tube has a "dip" in it,
>> this really helps.
>
> <snip>
>
> So, is the 'boys clearance' freefall-a-la-commando or in snug-'em-and-hug-'em-thong-stylee ?
>
> ;-)
>
> Dave

don't answer that.

 

[Westie]

"J. Slater" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> After going through a month-long+ ordeal of looking for my next MTB, I
came
> across several vastly different opinions on bike sizing. Most guys just asked me how tall I was,
> or what my inseam measurement was. Some said to stand over it and make sure your "boys" aren't
> getting squished. Others
told
> me to just ride the various different sizes and buy the one that you feel the most comfortable on.
> Unfortunately, all of these aren't exactly the best way to size a frame, at least according to my
> bike's manual. Haro
says
> I should have 10 cm between the top tube and crotch when standing with
shoes
> that I will ride in. I have less than 2 inches (approx 5 cm) of clearance when wearing tight
> bicycle shorts. The bike feels great so far.
>
> What gives?
>
>

Beats me too. There seem to be too many measuring systems and too many geometries to ever be 100%
sure of matching rider to bike without actually riding it. I'm 5'7" and have Duck's disease - my
legs are short. On a cold day I've got 2" clearance over the frame but feel absolutely comfortable
in the "cockpit" as far as length and reach goes. <shrug>
--
Westie