Campag4life

Start leaving your left leg clipped in and before you know it, your left leg will become stronger...to the point, you may not even need to use your right leg or maybe running a platform pedal on the right...even better wearing a sandal in the summer.

CliffordK

The proper way to do it:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...6-raleigh.html



I think you stand behind the bike. When the light changes, you push the bike forward, kick off of the peg, and hop on the seat. You never actually need to straddle the top tube.

Campag4life

That may in fact be the future because can be combined with BMX and you can do stoppies and other tricks at stoplights to entertain motorists.

Wspsux

I'm a similar guy. 5'10 30 inch inseam formerly biking/living in Manhattan. Here is what you do. Buy a bike that fits, move out of Manhattan. Pay close attention to the second part.

Wspsux

Holy ****, I thought I was weird shaped!

fmilovanov

That's a good idea, thanks. But this does not mean I need to stop looking for the right frame -- will keep it as a back-up plan

That's an excellent idea (as I hate Manhattan myself), but my GF does not wanna move out of NY. We're actually moving to Staten Island (she has a business there) - bit I'll still need to ride in NYC

rgconner

5'11 and 28 inch inseam.

I have 4 extra inches in my spine compared to "average"

Wspsux

What size bike do you ride? Can you post a picture of your set up?

rgconner

I had a custom frame built.

110mm stem with a standard reach handlebar here, now using a 100mm stem with a short reach handlebar. Made it easier to get in the drops

DrRobert

I've never seen handlebars turned that far down.

weiwentg

I used to think I had short legs. Then I read your post.

However, it's still not completely clear if you have had an experienced fitter look at you and tell you if you fit the bike correctly. When you say your inseam is 30", do you mean your pants inseam, or your cycling inseam?

Others have said that it's not critical to have standover clearance. I know what you said about how you feel like you need to put a foot down at a light. But the rule of thumb that you have to have an inch clearance between your crotch and the TT while standing is just that - a rule of thumb, works for the average person, does not work for every single person. If your body proportions are as strange as you say they are, then rules of thumb may be off.

If you are serious about cycling, I'd find a shop that can do good bike fits, and pay up. You'd then be able to get a sense of what frames fit you. If you're actually long in the torso, then you will probably want to find frames that are relatively long in the top tube in your size range. As a rule of thumb, if you have a relatively long torso, you're very likely looking at a compact frame (sloping top tube).

For example, I'm 5'5" with short legs - although they apparently aren't as short as yours, relatively speaking. Pretty sure my pants inseam is 27", but I can make 28" do, and I forget my cycling inseam. I need a steep seat angle (~75 degrees, whereas 74 and 73 are stock in most frames in my size). I need a top tube around 530mm, at least. My custom bike has a 460mm seat tube, a 552mm top tube, and a 76 degree seat angle. However, I know I can get an equivalent fit off the rack with Gunnar and Specialized (adjust saddle fore-aft and stem length as needed).

FWIW, the rule of thumb that you should not be able to easily put a foot down while on the saddle is also a rule of thumb. Based on that rule of thumb, I apparently kept my saddle height 20mm too high. A good fitter advised me to move it down. I did, and the mild knee pain I was having trouble with went away.

knobd

I am also 6' w/30" inseam. My Pinarello is a 55 but has dimensions closer to an US 58 and is probably has always been little too large for me all around. I've gotten the horizontal fit pretty good with the use of a shorter adjustable stem (heresy I know). However, vertically, my legs feel better on my cross bike (US 54) and I think it is due to the cranks being 172.5 and not 175. The difference is subtle but I'm more of a spinner on the cross bike and more of a masher on the Pinarello with my natural style being more of a spinner. If you are more of a spinner keep an eye on the crank length and it may put you on a smaller frame with a large stem to be just right.

fmilovanov

Found a new champion for short leggers (Giant TCR is too expensive): Giant Contend

Just 74.5cm standover for 54cm "equivalent" bike

Cyclist0108

I have the same dimensions. I got a custom frame made. Then a few months ago I discovered the Trek Domane 54cm frame has nearly identical measurements to that of my custom frame. So you might want to try that. It might be worth a look. I have a 110 mm stem, FWIW.

Edit: Also very similar to the Giant you found (in medium).

carl7

If your new to cycling, maybe even a long and adjustable stem.

danmyersmn

I'm 5'10“ with a 29" inseam. These bikes all fit me riding and standing.

56cm felt z100
55cm all city space horse
54cm surly straggler
56cm Kona ***** tonk

All with a 90 or 100mm stem. Lot of bikes should work for you.

rgconner

Bars look parallel to the ground, which is the standard position.

Recently, having the top curve parallel to the ground is the new normal.

MRT2

Why? As others have said, how often do you actually need to stand flat footed straddling the bike as opposed to clipped in on one side, the other foot on the ground?

Campag4life

To me, denying standover as a new buying considering is wack. I standover my bike all the time with my feet/cleats flat on the ground. One thing to have a hand be down bike as a kid that is hard to stand over, but no reason not to have sufficient standover with modern sloping top tube bikes as part of the consideration of frame size.

MRT2

If, like OP and others, you have short legs, what are you supposed to do? Better to have a bike that fits when riding than to have a too small bike with lots of standover clearance.

Campag4life

Agree with that but have to believe even with short legs, with judicious frame geometry selection...would have to be a sloping top tube, a frame can be chosen satisfying standover and stack and reach. May have to hedge toward a smaller frame size with modest spacer stack and longish stem. But if impossible after exhausting all options, of course you are correct.

fmilovanov

Why? Basically, for the same reason you're using your restroom instead of nearby bushes: it's more comfortable. Of course, if there is absolutely no houses in the area with restrooms I'd use bushes, but before I'd try to find one with that warm room we all feel so comfortable in

P.S. Sorry forgot to mention: I ride in Manhattan.

bikebreak

also try shorter crank arms, great for shorter legs

brianmcg123

What do you need bushes for?

fmilovanov

My mom told me not to pee in a wind!!!