Stand over height

[jannerman]

Just wanted some guidence on standover height I am new to road cycling having been converted from MTBs.

I have ordered a ribble sportive and have drop down a size from their recomended.. I am just under 5'11 and have gone for a medium sportive (52 seatpost/55 ef top tube). The large (55/57) is recommended for my height and has a standover height of 80cm.

I read on some web site somewhere that idealy you should have at least 5 cm space between the crotch to the top tube. I have a rough 83 inseam am I right going for the size lower?

Am worried as I have not been able to try the bike before ordering. Knowing ribble the bike will not be delivered for another 3 weeks so I'll have time to change the order anyway...

 

[chris667]

You need to try them out, or risk wasting your money on a bike you'll never be comfortable on. Chances are the bars will be too low for you, and not have enough reach. Or maybe you'll be alright. But here's the thing, you'll never know. There's always lots of bikes on Ebay "As new", "Ridden twice", because people don't get the right one for them.
Standover height is not nearly as important as top tube length, by the way. No-one thought about standover height until mountain bikes came out.
We could give you advice on sizing, but it's like telling you how to trim a hedge over the phone.

 

[joggingbob]

Could you try a test ride from a LBS / chain with bikes of a similar geometry?, although not perfect it should give you a reasonable idea. You could always buy something from the shop for your new bike as way of compensation that they are not getting the sale.

 

[Garz]

As long as theres some air between danglies and the bar it should be fine.

 

[chris667]

As long as theres some air between danglies and the bar it should be fine.

That's not necessarily true. My Clubman gives no space between my manly parts and the top tube, and I still sing with a rich tenor.
Top tube length is what is the make or break measurement.

 

[Garz]

O.K you see this on a few 'tale of the tapes' in say boxing or MMA. Some guys have same stats yet one guy has an extra 2" reach. So yes chris it's not necessarily true. However dropping down after a sudden holt or rare accident and damaging your testes/crotch is extremely unpleasant. Your choice, but if I stand off the seat or drop fast, I dont whack my knackers.

 

[chris667]

Before modern times, people routinely rode bikes that had no space between top tubes and wedding tackle.
Seriously, try finding a small vintage frame, even though people were generally much smaller.

 

[jimboalee]

Before modern times, people routinely rode bikes that had no space between top tubes and wedding tackle.
Seriously, try finding a small vintage frame, even though people were generally much smaller.

I've got a pair of plates to go in my quills.

The theoretical clearance ( standing in bare feet ) on my Pug is 0.0mm.

When I hop off the saddle and stand tippie-toes ( on the front of the shoe and plate ), I have 45mm ( 1 3/4" ) 'stand-over' clearance.

That's the way it was in the 'Old days'.

 

[Davidc]

Not sure if its tricks of the memory, but with old style frames it wasn't a problem. If the frame was right with correct reach then there was enough room above the crossbar (top tube) for the gonads, with both feet flat on the ground, wearing shoes.

When I bought my first proper bike the cycle shop owner checked the clearance on another similar bike before mine was ordered - and that was wearing the then normal leather cycling shoes, which had a hard leather plate over the pedal and were about 15mm thick. It was at least 40mm. (And I have short legs for my height).

I went to the factory (out of interest, having asked if I could - H&S wouldn't allow that now!) and they rechecked the size of frame - again the standover came out right for the correct reach. (LBS had got it right).

When I've tried modern compact frames for size there doesn't seem as much room at the front, although at the saddle end there's plenty because the top tube slopes. It still seems the case that if the reach is right then there's adequate standover, but it's the thought of inadequate standover that makes me wince!

(And the factory is in Taiwan not Putney)

 

[upandover]

My new bike is larger, and I don't have much clearance, which was the same as my first road bike as a teenager.

The difference now though, is that the whole bike is longer, so the reach becomes an issue as has been said. I've been able to move the saddle/seatpost forward, so it works.

Not a lot of room standing over, but then I almost never stand over it with straight legs, and I never get down that way...
Steve