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NOTE: Correct fit is an essential element of bicycling safety, performance and comfort. Making the adjustments to your bicycle which result in correct fit for your
body and riding conditions requires experience, skill and special tools. Always have your dealer make the adjustments on your bicycle; or, if you have the experi-
ence, skill and tools, have your dealer check your work before riding.
!
WARNING: If your bicycle does not fit properly, you may lose control and fall. If your new bike doesn’t fit, ask your dealer to exchange it before
you ride it.
A. Standover height
Standover height is the basic element of bike fit (see fig. 2). It is the distance from the ground to the top of the bicycle’s frame at
that point where your crotch is when straddling the bike. To check for correct standover height, straddle the bike while wearing
the kind of shoes in which you’ll be riding, and bounce vigorously on your heels. If your crotch touches the frame, the bike is
too big for you. Don’t even ride the bike around the block. A bike which you ride only on paved surfaces and never take off-
road should give you a minimum standover height clearance of two inches (5 cm). A bike that you’ll ride on unpaved surfaces
should give you a minimum of three inches (7.5 cm) of standover height clearance. And a bike that you’ll use off road should
give you four inches (10 cm) or more of clearance.
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WARNING: If you plan to use your bike for jumping or stunt riding, read Section 2.F again.
B. Saddle position
Correct saddle adjustment is an important factor in getting the most performance and comfort from your bicycle. If the saddle
position is not comfortable for you, see your dealer.
The saddle can be adjusted in three directions:
1
. Up and down adjustment. To check for correct saddle height (fig. 3):
• sit on the saddle;
• place one heel on a pedal;
• rotate the crank until the pedal with your heel on it is in the down position and the crank arm is parallel to the seat tube.
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