Operation Manual

15
SECTION 3. FIT
NOTE: Correct t is an essential element of
bicycling safety, performance and comfort. Making
the adjustments to your bicycle which result in correct
t 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 t, 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 t (see
g. 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 o-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 o 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.