Short legs, long torso, no bike.

September 17, 2007 12:30 PM

Help me find a bike that fits a short guy, who is apparently only short in the legs.

So, I'm in the market for a new bike. I'm mostly interested in a hybrid (looking to commute and occasionally do longer rides, on the order of half-days), and aiming to spend between $350 and $500. I read up as much as possible on fit and what struck me is the general idea that there should be at least an inch of clearance between me and the top bar, so as to avoid...striking me. This seems to be a problem.

I've been to just about every bike shop in the DC area, and the way it goes is that they tell me they have the bike for me. I get on, they say, "Plenty of clearance, right?" and I reply either, "Not really," or "This bike is lodged against my pelvis." They look a little blank, we switch to a different hybrid or a mountain bike, rinse, repeat. The consensus is that I have a normal torso, but short legs, and that's sort of where things end. I'm 5'3", and if I follow the 1 inch clearance rule, I need a standover height of 25" or less. I've seen a bunch of bike suggestions in previous questions, but the standover heights usually bottom out around 27".

My question is three-fold:
1) How dangerous is the clearance/lack of clearance? I've been regarding the 1 inch rule as an absolute, and the only LBS employee who suggested it didn't matter was missing a noticeable number of teeth and seemed to believe that the store's printer took a long time because it was translating from German (seriously). Am I making too much of a fuss, and are there techniques that will make this a non-issue?

2) Any suggestions as to particular bikes that might fit my needs? I've looked at the stats for the smallest versions of the Kona Smoke, Specialized Sirrus/Globe, Jamis Coda, and a slew of Trek's, including the 7.5 and none of them quite fit the bill. I haven't been able to try the smallest size of any of them, because nobody has them in stock.

3) Assuming I'm not being too inflexible on the standover issue, at what point do I need to start looking at women's bikes or stepthroughs?

I'd really like to get a bike, but I'm at a loss as to where to go from here. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

posted by averyoldworld to sports, hobbies, & recreation (25 comments total)

Maybe you can look for a bike with a different frame geometry. Something where the top bar of the bike frame isn't horizontal.

Also what frame sizes have the bike shops been showing you? Maybe a 15" would work for you?
posted by rsol44 at 1:00 PM on September 17, 2007

There are a lot of bikes these days with top tubes that slope downwards from the headset to the seat tube (often called a "compact frame"), and one of these is going to fit your other dimensions while giving you the clearance you so righteously deserve.

I'd try yet another bike shop. I'm actually kind of surprised you're having as much trouble as you describe -- you don't sound like a particularly advanced challenge for a bicycle fitter!
posted by gum at 1:01 PM on September 17, 2007

rsol44, I'm open to the possibility that the slope-y women's bikes are the way to go, although bike shops seem to be reluctant to suggest them, gender roles being what they are. To answer your question, though, they usually start off showing me a 15", which has inevitably been too big. Sometimes there are 14" frames, which are better but still haven't had clearance. 13" frames have been something of a fool's errand.

gum, I'll definitely keep trying the compact frames. What's been happening on the ones I've tried has been that the seat pushes me forward to the place where there's no clearance. But I'll look at the specs for some of those and keep trying them out.

I'm a little surprised, too, at how hard it's been. At this point, I've literally been to 7 different shops, and stumped 'em all. There's a few left in the suburbs I'm planning to try this weekend.
posted by averyoldworld at 1:17 PM on September 17, 2007

I'd look into crank forward bikes
posted by ShooBoo at 1:21 PM on September 17, 2007

They should just be measuring your inseam, as the length of your torso is not as important if you are riding a hybrid. Capitol Hill Bikes, and Citybike, are both good, and I personally have had good experiences at both Conte's in Arlington, and the Performance that is on Route 50 out in Fairfax.

Also I might have a bit less then an inch of clearance on my road bikes, and that has never been a problem for me, but you might not want to risk it if you are an inexperienced cyclist.
posted by BobbyDigital at 1:22 PM on September 17, 2007

I agree with what's said above.

Please note that the above-mentioned bikes with non-horizontal top tubes are _not_ "women's bikes."

Simply put, bikes don't necessarily have horizontal top tubes any more.

The top tubes are sloped a little bit not because you wear a skirt, but simply so that the frame becomes a little bit shorter, so that the rider's back is bent one or two degrees less than on traditional bikes. In other words, the compact frames are made for comfort. You may see the term "plush" in some of the literature.

Some of these models are the Trek Pilot, the Specialized Roubaix, and many others in various price ranges. Good luck. This should not be a problem.
posted by JimN2TAW at 1:27 PM on September 17, 2007

The models I gave above are road bikes, not hybrids -- my bad -- but the same principles apply to hybrids. Sorry I can't suggest specific models.

The literature may also use the term "commuter bike" or "city bike" or some other vague term, all of which are meant to imply that these are comfortable bikes for casual riding around town.
posted by JimN2TAW at 1:35 PM on September 17, 2007

I can't make any particular suggestions for a bike, but I've had good experiences getting fitted for a bike at REI. There's one in Virginia at Bailey's crossroads.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 2:22 PM on September 17, 2007

Standover clearance is not an invariable rule. I'm kind of short-legged myself, and my Volpe is, by the traditional standover ideas, not "supposed" to fit me. But the reach was right, I rode it around and felt comfortable on it, and have continued to feel comfortable on it for rides up to a double century.

Most of the time when you come to a rest you will clip one foot out and lean over to one side on on the free foot. A situation in which you actually have to stand over the bar and depend on having clearance - rare.
posted by Wolfdog at 2:25 PM on September 17, 2007

Probably not high on the bike hipness factor, but I've been using a Dahon Speed 7 for a couple of years. It can fit any size person under 6' 4" and 220 lbs and where the bar is isn't really an issue. It's right in your budget.

It's a great commuter bike. Of course, the folding is a fantastic thing, but a hidden bonus is the 20" wheels allow for unusually speedy acceleration from a standstill which is handy in a city or anywhere there's lots of stops and starts. It's also a good conversation starter. The only downsides for a commuter would be maintaining an sort of speed over long distances or carrying substantial loads.
posted by quarterframer at 3:05 PM on September 17, 2007

How are you testing for fit? I am also 5'3" and I ride a 15" Trek 7.3 FX. Standover clearance was not an issue because of how much the top tube slopes on a frame that size. I picked it based on reach and how comfortable I felt pedaling on it, not standing over the bike. I felt very cramped in the 13" Trek FX frames, which is why I went with the 15" frame.

Wolfdog has it.
posted by needled at 3:26 PM on September 17, 2007

Like quarterframer says, Dahon is a good and interesting option. The bikes this company offers will definitely have the clearance and they go a lot faster than you'd expect.
posted by rsol44 at 3:29 PM on September 17, 2007

What Shooboo said... have you considered bikes with their cranks forward, like most of the Electra bikes, Trek's Lime, or Giant's Suede? The "flat-foot" design might, as with compacts, leave more room for your kit. If the gender-bending issue of riding a "women's" model is too much, you could take it to the extreme with something like Biria's EZ Boarding series.
posted by mumkin at 4:14 PM on September 17, 2007

They aren't cheap, but Bike Friday folding bikes would also give you uber standover height, "regular" bike performance, and the added bonus of portability.

I've never ridden one, but I've talked to several people who ride them across Iowa (which, contrary to popular believe, does have hills) and they love them.
posted by altcountryman at 4:47 PM on September 17, 2007

Might I suggest the Electra Townie? I bought one a few months ago and it's really great for just riding around. Given the design of the frame, clearance shouldn't be an issue. And it looks sweet.
posted by Hildago at 5:00 PM on September 17, 2007

Oh, you might also try asking in the Commuting forum at bikeforum.net
posted by needled at 5:08 PM on September 17, 2007

All the comments have been really helpful so far, everybody, thank you. I still have some follow-up points.

Standover clearance is not an invariable rule.

Honestly, this is the point on which I still have the most confusion. I've had a hard time getting a straight answer about what seems to be the lurking issue - if I hit something and get thrown forward, am I going to crush a testicle?

All the bikes I've tried, to a one, have had varying degrees of contact with my fellas, ranging from a light drape to "I'm on my tiptoes and the top bar is pressing against bone." Is it really that unsafe to have some marginal amount of contact when I stand over (rarely as that may occur)?


Any thoughts on the general suitability of the folding and crank-forward bikes for the occasional long ride - half-day or so?
posted by averyoldworld at 7:31 AM on September 18, 2007

How are you testing for fit? I am also 5'3" and I ride a 15" Trek 7.3 FX. Standover clearance was not an issue...
needled, I've been getting on them in the stores - standing over, sitting on the saddle, etc. I don't know if it's just my body shape or what, but even on the slant-bars, the seat pushes me forward till there's contact. I think I tried the 7.3 (or maybe a 7.1), and it was better than most.
posted by averyoldworld at 7:33 AM on September 18, 2007

I hit something and get thrown forward, am I going to crush a testicle?
I'm going to say with great confidence that you are never going to be in an accident which leads to you standing upright on both feet straddling the top bar of an upright bike — which is the only way that having more clearance could help avoid the hypothetical busted nut.
posted by Wolfdog at 8:37 AM on September 18, 2007

Thanks for all your help, folks, and for allaying my concerns. I'm going to test-ride some of the smaller hybrids and crank-forwards and see what feels the best. My "hypothetical busted nut" thanks you.
posted by averyoldworld at 12:32 PM on September 18, 2007

Wolfdog has it again.

The reason I was asking about how you were testing for fit was that I wasn't getting a clear sense of whether you were only testing standover or you'd actually gone on test rides on the bikes. My decision to go for a 15" instead of a 13" came after test rides on both frame sizes. Also based on the test rides my LBS set the saddle further back, since I noticed I was more comfortable positioning myself further back than the default saddle position.

Personally I wouldn't get a bike like the Townie or Lime for a commuter bike. In my shortish commute rides I have a steep uphill stretch or two, with corresponding hair-raising descents, plus traffic lights from which I usually bolt standing up on the pedals when the light turns green. Note that I ride in traffic.

Those cruiser-type bicycles are especially not recommended if you intend to go on long rides. I also ride my 7.3 FX for 20-30 mile club rides, and I don't think I could do them on a cruiser bike. On a cruiser bike I'd get dropped by even the slow group I ride with. (I am getting a road bike for even longer rides, though).
posted by needled at 12:37 PM on September 18, 2007

Thanks, needled. That's really helpful, and I haven't been doing nearly enough test rides.

All the answers have been great, in fact. Best answers for some, tiny plastic american flags for others!
posted by averyoldworld at 6:02 AM on September 19, 2007

Update! Thanks to everybody's comments, I picked six bikes that fit my criteria and tried them all out, and I ended up with a Fischer Wingra that I really really like. The test rides made it apparent that something with the standover height I was originally looking for would have been pretty uncomfortable to ride.

You all rock.
posted by averyoldworld at 12:24 PM on October 2, 2007

Congratulations! I hope it gives you many years of faithful service. If it's the kind of thing that you fancy, you should join the mefites at WeEndure and start logging your riding. Oh, except the site seems to be down at the moment. It does that from time to time.
posted by mumkin at 4:31 PM on October 6, 2007

Thanks, mumkin. I totally missed your post until now, but I'll check it out.

Just an update for anybody else in my, ahem, position that finds this thread in a search. Wolfdog was absolutely right. I've been riding most days for three months or so, and there has yet to be a problem with the standover height. Except, perhaps, due to my own lack of grace in dismounting. Which only happens once in a while.
posted by averyoldworld at 2:01 PM on January 10, 2008