I am essentially new to biking, having not touched one in at least a decade. I wanted to support the local bikeshop, instead of some generic store, so last weekend I wandered over to the store near me and ended up with a Diamondhead Response.

I've ridden it around for about 5 hours, and it feels fine so far. I'll probably end up riding around town 80% of the miles and really light trails the rest.

Anyway, after reading through the manual (that I didn't get until I got the bike), I have some doubts that they sized me correctly. I've read around a little, but it is taking a while to learn enough to catch up.

I am a shade over 5'8". My inseam is 32", with "clearance" of ~28.5" (meaning any higher than that is touching).

The guys at the bike store both recommended an 18" Response frame. When I did the calculations I could find around the Internet, 18" seems sufficient (32" - 10" - ~2" for clearance). But, when I stand astride the bike, I am definitely touching. The manual suggests that I shouldn't even have taken the bike for a test-ride, so I am a little concerned about the conflict between my sizing calculations, the bike store guys' advice, and the clearance recommendations and the manual.

If it matters, I have Velociraptor 21/47/52 tires.

Any help or places to look for more info. is greatly appreciated.

I am essentially new to biking, having not touched one in at least a decade. I wanted to support the local bikeshop, instead of some generic store, so last weekend I wandered over to the store near me and ended up with a Diamondhead Response.

I've ridden it around for about 5 hours, and it feels fine so far. I'll probably end up riding around town 80% of the miles and really light trails the rest.

Anyway, after reading through the manual (that I didn't get until I got the bike), I have some doubts that they sized me correctly. I've read around a little, but it is taking a while to learn enough to catch up.

I am a shade over 5'8". My inseam is 32", with "clearance" of ~28.5" (meaning any higher than that is touching).

The guys at the bike store both recommended an 18" Response frame. When I did the calculations I could find around the Internet, 18" seems sufficient (32" - 10" - ~2" for clearance). But, when I stand astride the bike, I am definitely touching. The manual suggests that I shouldn't even have taken the bike for a test-ride, so I am a little concerned about the conflict between my sizing calculations, the bike store guys' advice, and the clearance recommendations and the manual.

If it matters, I have Velociraptor 21/47/52 tires.

Any help or places to look for more info. is greatly appreciated.

Since this is a road bike forum you're not going to get much feedback on this DiamondBACK mtn bike. If you do actually mtn biking, adequate TT clearance is even more important on a mtn bike since you're much more apt to get into situations where you're suddenly testing this clearance issue. The Response has a sloping top tube doesn't it? If so, the TT nearest the seat, you shouldn't be able to touch at all. The closer you get to the handlebars, the higher the TT and the more likely you would have this problem. At what point on the sloping TT is clearance an issue? You don't need any magical sizing formula to test standover - either you have a couple inch clearance under your crotch or you don't.

It's not inconceivable that 2 different salesman would mis-size you -- however, the rule of thumb on mtn bikes is to first size by standover clearance. Screwing up here is definite sizing error. If there is really a problem you need to go back to the store and talk to the manager/owner.

I am essentially new to biking, having not touched one in at least a decade. I wanted to support the local bikeshop, instead of some generic store, so last weekend I wandered over to the store near me and ended up with a Diamondhead Response.

I've ridden it around for about 5 hours, and it feels fine so far. I'll probably end up riding around town 80% of the miles and really light trails the rest.

Anyway, after reading through the manual (that I didn't get until I got the bike), I have some doubts that they sized me correctly. I've read around a little, but it is taking a while to learn enough to catch up.

I am a shade over 5'8". My inseam is 32", with "clearance" of ~28.5" (meaning any higher than that is touching).

The guys at the bike store both recommended an 18" Response frame. When I did the calculations I could find around the Internet, 18" seems sufficient (32" - 10" - ~2" for clearance). But, when I stand astride the bike, I am definitely touching. The manual suggests that I shouldn't even have taken the bike for a test-ride, so I am a little concerned about the conflict between my sizing calculations, the bike store guys' advice, and the clearance recommendations and the manual.

If it matters, I have Velociraptor 21/47/52 tires.

Any help or places to look for more info. is greatly appreciated.

First of all, just by what you have already said and the kind of riding you are doing, it is probably fine. If you ar going to start hopping logs or doing serious single track, then you should check further. For now, all you have to be able to do is stand up in front of the saddle when stopped.

Next, what's touching? The saddle or the top tube? You should not be able to stand on the ground with both feet while in the saddle.

What do you mean by inseam and "clearence". To measure your cycling inseam, stand against a wall that you can mark on in your stocking feet. Hold a book about 1 1/2 in. thick tight up in your crotch. Mark the top of the book on the wall. Do it a few times to get a good measurement. Measure from the floor to the mark.

TF

I am essentially new to biking, having not touched one in at least a decade. I wanted to support the local bikeshop, instead of some generic store, so last weekend I wandered over to the store near me and ended up with a Diamondhead Response.

I've ridden it around for about 5 hours, and it feels fine so far. I'll probably end up riding around town 80% of the miles and really light trails the rest.

Anyway, after reading through the manual (that I didn't get until I got the bike), I have some doubts that they sized me correctly. I've read around a little, but it is taking a while to learn enough to catch up.

I am a shade over 5'8". My inseam is 32", with "clearance" of ~28.5" (meaning any higher than that is touching).

The guys at the bike store both recommended an 18" Response frame. When I did the calculations I could find around the Internet, 18" seems sufficient (32" - 10" - ~2" for clearance). But, when I stand astride the bike, I am definitely touching. The manual suggests that I shouldn't even have taken the bike for a test-ride, so I am a little concerned about the conflict between my sizing calculations, the bike store guys' advice, and the clearance recommendations and the manual.

If it matters, I have Velociraptor 21/47/52 tires.

Any help or places to look for more info. is greatly appreciated.

Check out www.mtbr.com they have forums for mtn bikes.

....Next, what's touching? The saddle or the top tube? You should not be able to stand on the ground with both feet while in the saddle.TF

Good point. He may be referring to straddling the SADDLE. That never even occurred to me.