DSJ13

So I am 5'9' and my inseam is ~31'' using the book method', and I initially bought a Specialized Crosstrail in size M. My LBS had varying opinions on M vs L for me, but I chose the M based on standover clearance. I rode it for a few days but couldnt seem to get comfortable. I went back to my shop and they swapped a longer stem and worked with me which I was hoping would fix it, but with the longer stem I felt like I was still 'on top' of the bars, and lowering the seat would create too much bend in my knee at the 6 oclock pedal.

So, they let me swap it for the large. Trouble with the large is I have virtually no standover clearance. How can I put this other than in plan english? Basically my nuts touch the top tube, but my pelvis still has an inch of clearance or so. So I can lift the bike into my perineum and have the wheel an inch off the ground, but the boys themselves are touching when standing over. Does that make sense?

Anyway I am at a loss here. Stick with the large? Go back to the medium with longer stem? I am right in between sizes. I have an average wingspan. I havent had much seat time on the large yet but right away when I first hopped on at the bike shop the large felt better.

Carbonfiberboy 

Looking at that bike's geometry, the L is too large. You should be bent over at the hips. That's the way it's supposed to be. You're just not used to riding a decent bike. Go back to the medium and post a photo of you on bike from the side. Can't tell anything without a photo except that the L is too large.

DSJ13

Thanks for the reply. What are you basing the large being too big on? I am bent over at the hips on the large, the medium too, but I felt a little high on top of them on the medium.

Carbonfiberboy 

Your height and inseam and the mental image of your crotch right down on that sloped top tube. If that top tube were perfectly horizontal and your crotch were touching it, it could still go either way as to whether such a frame would be too large. Bike shop wants the sale. Customer leaves with bike, all is good.

DSJ13

I hear you, but I bought the medium and they let me go back and swap for the large, so I have no reason to question their motives.

DSJ13

Does neck fatigue generally indicate the reach is too long?

Carbonfiberboy 

No, it indicates that you round your back when you ride: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...discovery.html

Carbonfiberboy 

They got your money, didn't they? Absolutely no question as to their motives. Unless of course they let you swap back . . .

DSJ13

They already let me swap it once. Did you read that part?

I bought the medium initially then they let me swap it for the large. Hardly a money issue when they have both sizes in stock on the floor.

Carbonfiberboy 

Of course I read that part. I'm simply a bit perplexed that you aren't interested in swapping it back, since large is obviously too large. It's your money, your body. Do whatever you want.

DSJ13

Dude I was just disagreeing with the notion that the bike shop was trying to get over or something.

Truth is I have no idea what I’m doing and I’m new to this looking for help. Like I said the large felt better riding to me than the medium. The standover is close.

BookFinder 

What feels best riding is the determining factor. That, and learn a cautious routine for dismounting the bike.

My take is to wear a jock strap or something like under armor briefs to keep the boys in close.

Carbonfiberboy 

Without seeing and touching you, all we can do at this remove is guess at what's going to work long term. Get the opinion of a bike fitter who does not work at that same LBS. I've been riding for 65 years and have some experience in bike fit.