How important is standover height?

[Sway]

Chaps, have a dilemma.

Been waiting 6 weeks for my C2W voucher, and it's finally arrived today.

I'd set my mind on a Boardman HT pro but as Halfords don't do test rides, I've only had a quick sit on one to gauge the right size.

Now I used to be a saturday gimp for a bike shop in my youth, and always preached length over height. The length of the medium I tried felt ok, but difficult to be sure. What I wasn't comfortable with was the pretty much zero standover height...

Looking on the Boardman site, there's very little difference in top tube length, but a goodly difference in seattube length.

So I figured the small would be best. Planning a dropper post, and not fussed about changing the stem if necessary. Only problem is, can't find one in bloody stock anywhere, and the local branch aren't being particularly supportive...

So, what to do. Get the medium, and risk my balls (or at least have it in the back of my mind, potentially hitting confidence), or try to track down a small somewhere in the country so I can give clear, unambiguous instructions to the branch to get it sorted?

In danger of getting something on impulse purely because it's quick, but am also questioning my original decision of rejecting the medium...

For info, I'm 5'11". Short in the leg, long in the body, although this is contributed to by having a giraffe neck!

Planning on getting back into trails riding - South Downs Way/ Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Got friends in Bristol and Exeter, plus work all over the country, so could end up riding everywhere. Definitely not going for gnarly freeride etc., far too old for that.

Haven't ridden for ten years, was committed roadie for a few years before that.

Voucher is burning it's way through my pocket, so quick advice appreciated!

Working in Chatham, Kent til Thursday, then home to Chichester. Would like to be taking the bike home with me ready for 'working from home' on Friday...

Cheers,

Sam

[Jimbo.]

Find a different branch. No test ride, no sale

[Sway]

Jimbo. said:

Find a different branch. No test ride, no sale

No Halfords does testrides, and can only use Halfords for the C2W scheme...

I know exactly where you're coming from, the shop I worked at wouldn't sell a bike unless the customer took it for at least a spin around the carpark (obvious exceptions excepted).

[scottri]

I used to let people have a spin round the car park when I worked at halfords (provided it wasn't mega busy so go mid morning or mid afternoon if you can). Its worth calling another branch and asking IMO.

Oh, and at nearly 6ft I think a small would be too small. Hard to say obviously!

[P-Jay]

Halfrauds are a pain, I doubt I'd get a test ride in the branch near the office - the bikes on display there aren't even complete.

My gut instinct is at 5,11 you're a medium. You're an inch taller than me, and I'm also all torso and no legs and medium (in Spesh / Lapierre sizes anyway) suits me perfectly.

[AyBee]

P-Jay said:

Halfrauds are a pain, I doubt I'd get a test ride in the branch near the office - the bikes on display there aren't even complete.

My gut instinct is at 5,11 you're a medium. You're an inch taller than me, and I'm also all torso and no legs and medium (in Spesh / Lapierre sizes anyway) suits me perfectly.

My instinct is saying the same too, I'm 5'9" and ride a medium Giant HT (although step over is easy) - I'd still want to ride it first though.

[S2Andy]

Hi I'm also 5'9 with 30" inside leg. I generally go for small frames but my Boardman Hybrid medium suits me fine with no adjustments needed to stem length etc. Ditto my mate who is similar size and also runs both Boardman Full sus MTB and a Boardman hybrid, both medium.

[Gizmoish]

On a roadie, especially with a highish BB - not too important. On an MTB, I want to be able to stand at short notice, possibly landing on squishy ground and/or lower ground than the wheels, without pulping my privates.

[Gumstabber]

I had a GT Avalanche in medium (I think that equates to 18in frame?). perfect size for me, plenty of standover height, the large I could sit on the top-tube of while standing and the small looked like I was riding a bike I'd never got rid from being a child. I'm 5'11" with 30in inside leg.

[Flawless Victory]

Spookily enough, I'm also waiting on my C2W voucher to arrive. My local Halfords were extremely supportive and helpful and as I'm 5'4" with a 25" inside leg, getting a bike to fit is difficult. I had my heart set on a Boardman Hybrid Pro but the smallest is too big for me but Halfords made some enquiries and are able to order a custom-built Hybrid Pro in an extra small frame. I'm also disabled, so the bike will be modified to suit me.

[Sway]

Cheers guys.

Found the last small available in the country, luckily its a small diversion on my way home tomorrow, and the guy I spoke to was pretty switched on.

I'd agree that on paper the medium is right, however I have a 28" inside leg, and wear converse. This equals literally zero standover clearance (a bk rests either side of the toptube!).

As the geo is very 'xc race', reckon I'll be minty with the small. Small frames look better too!

The contrast between staff in bikehuts is ridiculous - one guy told me he couldn't search the system unless I told him the product code, and even belched down the phone! In contrast, Sam in Guildford was excellent, and after realising I wasn't a complete muppet explained the known issues with the lack of grease in the BB30 and explained I wouldn't have to worry as they'd gone and bought a setting gauge for reassembly to help prevent issues.

Oh, was told they're not getting more Boardman stock until September...

[Engineer1]

Gizmoish said:

On a roadie, especially with a highish BB - not too important. On an MTB, I want to be able to stand at short notice, possibly landing on squishy ground and/or lower ground than the wheels, without pulping my privates.

It's also fookin embarrassing if you struggle to get back over your bike when you come to get moving again.