1track

A somewhat belated thanks for the feedback. i've been away for a while but thought I would post my purchases and conclusions, it may be of interest to someone with long legs. I first bought a size large titanium hard tail, 19in top tube 622mm effective top tube, with pretty conventional dimensions and a 100mm stem. I was very happy on this bike, it handled well, and was comfortable (once I had a longer seat post and a riser bar). This bike served me well but eventually I became to old for a hard tail. When it was time to upgrade I did a lot of searching on the net and decided that, a bigger bike would be better, and that it was time to try the newer geometry style. I bought a XL Pyga Stage and not only is this the best bike I have ever owned but it is the first bike that I think is the perfect size. I thought that short a wheelbase made a bike exiting, but it turns out that the opposite is actually true. Initially the front wheel felt like it was way out front, but once I got past that the extra confidence that this inspired is pretty amazing. So for me a larger frame with a shorter stem is better, and the newer geometry is actually quite a blast with virtually no down sides.

Thanks understood top tube is most important, but I thought long legs might be relevant because they affect the position of your body? Also some bikes like the Jamis Dakar XCR go from 19 to 21in size with very little difference in top tube length. The stem on the Anthem is short not more than 80mm, if I went to 100 would that put me at a greater risk of going over the bars on drops?

I am 6ft1 with long 91cm inseam legs & I think I fall between most L & XL frame sizes. The two bike shops I've been to seem to think I'm a size L but when I sit on the bike it feels short. Have I just become used to a bigger frame or is it that the shops are jumping to conclusions without really looking? I am looking at an Anthem 29er & have not yet been able to ride a XL as supplies are limited, the size L bike had a short stem but I assume the whole bike was desighned with that in mind. Here is the Anthem 29er geometry Size Head A Seat A TopTube HeadTube ChainStay WheelBase Standover Height Inches Degrees Degrees Inches Inches Inches Inches Inches L/20 71.00 73.00 24.2 4.10 18.20 44.30 31.70 XL/22 71.00 73.00 25.00 4.70 18.20 45.10 32.30 or see bellow http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/anthem.x.29er/7508/44088/ My current bike is a Shwin Moab 1 older design with the following measurements top tube centre to centre horizontal: 637mm or 24,84in seat tube centre BB to top: 533mm or 20.787in Stand over: 830mm or 32,3in I am happy with the fit of the Moab but the front lifts on steep sections because its not designed for a 100mm fork. I will use the bike on a bit of everything including steep climbs & technical descents I won't race much, perhaps some marathons eventually. The obvious advice is ride them both & see but what if I've become used to something that isn't optimal for me?

Delta airlines charges $200 for a bike. I guess the big question is if the bike isn't obviously new will they bother with it? Also what if a non South African visitor brings in a bike for you?

I'll be flying to the US in a couple of weeks & am thinking of bringing a bike back to Durban with me. I would like to find out what the story is regarding customs duty. I'm guessing if the bike is in a bag & looks old you might not pay any, but if its new & boxed they will nail you? What % would it be? Any experience/advice appreciated.