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PART I
SECTION 3. FIT
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 experience, 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.
3.A - STAND OVER HEIGHT
1. Diamond frame bicycles
Stand over 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 stand
over 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 stand over 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 stand over height clearance. And a bike
that you’ll use off road should give you four inches
(10 cm) or more of clearance.
Figure 2. Stand Over Height
WARNING
IF YOU PLAN TO USE YOUR BIKE FOR JUMPING
OR STUNT RIDING, READ SECTION 2.F AGAIN.
2. Step-through frame bicycles
Standover height does not apply to bicycles with
step-through frames. Instead, the limiting dimension
is determined by saddle height range. You must be
able to adjust your saddle position as described in
3.B. SADDLE POSITION without exceeding the limits
set by the height of the top of the seat tube and the
”Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum Extension” mark
on the seat post.
