Need some help on bike fit (Specialized Crosstrail)
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Need some help on bike fit (Specialized Crosstrail)
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.
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.
Last edited by DSJ13; 07-16-19 at 09:15 PM.
#2
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,531
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3887 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
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.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#4
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,531
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3887 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
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.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#7
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,531
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3887 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
No, it indicates that you round your back when you ride: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...discovery.html
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
Likes For Carbonfiberboy:
#8
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,531
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3887 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
They got your money, didn't they? Absolutely no question as to their motives. Unless of course they let you swap back . . .
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#10
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,531
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3887 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
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.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#12
Lifelong wheel gazer ...
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lower US 48
Posts: 346
Bikes: All garage sale finds...
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times
in
26 Posts
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.
My take is to wear a jock strap or something like under armor briefs to keep the boys in close.
#13
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,531
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3887 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
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.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter