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Newbie Freaking Out about Fit

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medicpig

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So I went and purchased a Specialized Allez Elite today at my LBS. I road it around the block a few weeks ago, went back today and tried some more bikes and still really liked this Allez. I am 5'8", 160lbs the bike is a size 54. I think that everything is great and it is nice riding around the block. When I get home I was excited riding around my apt complex. I noticed that when I straddle the bike the middle bar is touching my crotch. I can stand flat footed but it is definitely touching everything down there. I have read that this means the bike is too big. I tried a size lower at the store previously and they told me it looked too small because I was "scrunched" in their view while riding. I just feel like not being able to straddle this bike without touching might cause problems when riding around in traffic. I am a very doubty worry-ish person so it is normal for me to freak out after a big purchase like this. :) I was wanting your opinions. Should I go back to the store tomorrow and see about trading for the size down?
 
#3 ·
A light touch is OK. That's what I have. The shorter size is too small. To use it I'd have to raise the handlebars and seat thus raising the center of gravity. That effects stability. Everything about cycling is a compromise.

The problem is that no body is perfectly proportioned.
 
#4 ·
It's called standover and it's the most useless measurement in bicycle fit..... it has no bearing on how well a bike fits.... as long as you are comfortable riding the bike, it make no difference if your privates touch the bar...if you are at a stop light, lean the bike over....no worries....

For what it's worth I'm 5'7" and I would ride a 54 Allez.....you are certainly in the ballpark with a 54cm Allez...
 
#5 ·
Dave Hickey said:
It's called standover and it's the most useless measurement in bicycle fit..... it has no bearing on how well a bike fits.... as long as you are comfortable riding the bike, it make no difference if your privates touch the bar...if you are at a stop light, lean the bike over....no worries....

For what it's worth I'm 5'7" and I would ride a 54 Allez.....you are certainly in the ballpark with a 54cm Allez...
Click to expand...
Exactly. The important measurement is the length of the top tube. From what you wrote, you may have shortish legs and a longer torso (at least comparatively), so you are most likely on the right sized frame.

Are you comfortable on it when you ride? That's what's important.
 
#7 ·
i am also the same boat as you. after getting myself measured and re-measured, i went to buy a pinarello. when it got delivered to my home, i tested it and i also felt the top tube touch. I freaked out having come from mountain biking with at least a 4" clearance from the tt. apparently, i heard it is ok as long as you can raise the bike at least 1-2" from the ground. my actual bike fitting and final adjustments isnt until next week so hopefully everything is ok as there is a fine line of having the bike too big or too small.
 
#9 ·
I think they put you on the right bike. A 52cm is a very small bike and would have jammed you up on the top tube. Remember, you will have your shoes and cleats on when you stand over the frame. Just don't slip off in your stocking feet!

When you come to a stop while riding, you will lean the bike over a little, anyway, which improves the standover.
 
#11 ·
velocanman said:
Wow, that is a small frame for a guy that is 6''2"! Do you have a really short inseam?
Click to expand...
33" if I remember correctly...

Bike fits like a glove. I was riding on a 58cm Madone H1 5.2 that was ruined in an accident - but I thought the reach on the Madone was just a tiny bit too much. I like the short head tube and a ~56.5cm TT.
Image
 
#14 ·
you're not supposed to be required to think about what to do when you're stopped. If you "Need" to can't the bike over to feel comfortable when standing over it...it's an improper fit. You really need to have a little gap between your crotch and top of the bar...about 1" to 2", it's a safety thing.

for you 52 may be too small but 53 may work well. If you feel too cramped on a 52...why? If it's because the reach is too small, then you get a longer neck, different bars help too as well as sliding the seat back a little.. Or maybe find a 52/53 with a longer top tube. Fitting a bike isn't just "oh I need this size frame"...fitting is a process. 1st thing you do is get the correct frame size (52, 54 etc), then worry about angles, stretch...all can be adjusted as necessary to a point.


I'm 5-10, about 175 and my frame size should be 54-56...based on my in-seam. The 56 is a hair too large...but just a hair. 54 seems small but I didn't spend time getting a true fit.

Keep in mind that most people have never been properly fit to a bike...or rather a bike properly fit to them. Most of the time the shop says "yea, that's about right". Or we make little adjustments here and there.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
You think I need to go back to the bike shop? It seems most people on here agree that the bar touching when I am standing directly over it isn't a crisis or doesn't necessarily even mean the anything at all. I do have shorter legs and a longer torso my inseam is like a 29 or 30.
 
#16 ·
yes, personally, I'd go back. Touching the crotch isn't acceptable...it's an improper fit. you should be able to slide off the saddle, hit a standing position (instantly) no shoes, no canting and stand over the top bar without any fear of running your crotch into the tube. If you're touching or in fear of it and need to get on your toes...it's too tall a frame.

Look at it this way. It's of enough of a concern too you, to ask a question here. That means you're not comfortable on the bike and looking for justification to keep it.

I'd agree, that from your build, a larger frame may have the reach you like but there are other ways to get there other than suffering from a frame that is slightly too large?


When the bike shop sold you the bike, did they make sure you had the right size cranks or did they just leave the bike as is? Just curious as it's part of the fitting process...most don't do this.

it's quite possible that this particular make of fame just won't fit. I've run into that with Cannondale...they're just not for me

What ever decision you go with, you need to have the "now that's it" feeling. If you don't the ride will suffer.

Incidentally, paying for a bike fit may help. Forget what you have or what you want. Find a shop that will "size you". x size frame, with x seat tube angle, this reach, x crank size.
though there isn't an "exact" formula, working with someone will definitely help.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
I road the bike around the block a few times like 3 weeks ago then a few times yesterday before I made the purchase. It feels good when I am on it. I can slide forward and be flat footed over the frame barefoot, it just touches my crotch. I got on the 52 when I was first looking at bikes and a couple guys in the shop made the comment it was too small talking about my arm stretch and so forth.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Standover is ONLY important when you are standing and not riding. It has NO bearing on how a bike "fits". However, it is one of those "personal preference" things that some people confuse as a part of "fit". But, if it is important to you, then you have to factor that in...

But anyway...

"Fit" consists of:
Saddle height
Saddle for/aft
Stem length
Stem height
and to a MUCH lesser extent:
Crank arm length

Even then, there is usually some "tweaking" here & there... for example, I prefer my saddle about a centimeter higher than what my "fit" says it should be.

These are the only things one needs to be worried about. Within those parameters, there are usually a couple of frame sizes that will work for any given individual. Whether it's on the larger end or the smaller end is personal preference. Personal preference items are also things like bar drop and saddle angle...
 
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