question for the AM guys

[rock]

most 4-6" bikes are going to have a shorter TT than a hardtail but seems most almost buy a bigger size in order to run a short stem....

 

so basically how much shorter do you run your trail/am bike compared to a HT set up......or do you try match it up but with a longer frame to accommodate the shorter stem?

 

last time I had a 5" bike was 10yrs ago......way out of touch.....who remembers Rock Shox Psylo's?

[braailegend]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean with TT?

 

I just plug a short stem and wide bars. However the bike setup is, your body will get accustomed to it.

[DR ◣◢]

TT - Top Tube

 

My Morewood is 2mm longer based on ETT(Effective Top Tube) than what my Fuji was and I ran a 90mm stem on the Fuji with 710mm bars

 

Planning on going 50mm with 760mm bars though.

[patches]

I can't speak for the others, but I myself run the same size frame as I would on an XC bike, but I still run the shorter stem.

 

Reasoning... the sitting position is meant to be different from an XC HT. A longer frame means a stretched out body position. More weight forward. Not ideal for steep descents.

 

So basically no. I wouldn't want an AM bike to have the same "fit" as an XC bike... that would defeat a fair amount of its purpose

[rock]

hhmmmm.........so I shouldn't be put off by what appears to be too short top tubes on most smalls, TT's on mediums seem more like it, but then my stand over height etc would be too compromised,

[nigelhicks]

I ride a Large AM bike with a 60mm stem and 730mm low rise bars.

 

I definately wouldnt want to buy a "bigger" bike just to run the shorter stem ..

The bigger the bike, the longer the top tube, and longer the wheelbase.

 

Just by shortening the stem to get the bar to seat position correct for you on a larger bike defeats the object (as patches said)

 

Id say the reason i run my bike like i do is so that i have more control in the rough stuff and am centred more over the bike - unlike on my XC bike that has a 90mm stem (inverted) that sets you up more front heavy for XC ... the nature of the AM bike and nature of the trails ridden wants you to have a shorter seat-bar length to make the bike more agile.

 

If you are running lets say a large hardtail with a 90mm stem, id still advise you to go for a large AM bike ... with a 70mm stem - this will just bring your position over the front-centre a bit back to counteract the gradient change on the trails.

[Guest Omega Man]

hhmmmm.........so I shouldn't be put off by what appears to be too short top tubes on most smalls, TT's on mediums seem more like it, but then my stand over height etc would be too compromised,

Erm. I have a medium Reign X and that's perfect for me and I'm a midget. I had a small Mbuzi and that was just tiny. i thought the Mbuzi would be ok cos I have a small Makulu. Turns out the Reign and Makulu have the exact same top tube length.

 

In short if you are looking to get an AM bike try to get a test ride cos sizing is not consistent. As per my example above.

[nigelhicks]

hhmmmm.........so I shouldn't be put off by what appears to be too short top tubes on most smalls, TT's on mediums seem more like it, but then my stand over height etc would be too compromised,

 

No dont worry about that dude - remember as well that the bike sits higher than the hardtails cus of the larger travel so possibly "looks" shorter ... but it may not be that much difference in the TT length.

 

On an AM bike you definately DONT want your standover height to be compromised! ... the lower the toptube and bb the better - makes the bike handle better as you have a lower centre of gravity

[braailegend]

Also probably depends how your riding style is, The way I ride AM is more DH/Jump orientated with little XC in the mix, thus I prefer my Xtra small frames and nimble feel. Also I like sitting upright and not leaning forward when riding.

 

But I guess if you are going to put alot of miles on your bike, then longer stems might help.

 

Edit: How short I like my setup and Im 1.84m on a Small frame

 

 

Edited December 10, 2012 by braailegend

[rock]

Erm. I have a medium Reign X and that's perfect for me and I'm a midget. I had a small Mbuzi and that was just tiny. i thought the Mbuzi would be ok cos I have a small Makulu. Turns out the Reign and Makulu have the exact same top tube length.

 

In short if you are looking to get an AM bike try to get a test ride cos sizing is not consistent. As per my example above.

 

you offering a test ride on your reign?

[Guest Omega Man]

you offering a test ride on your reign?

How hot is your wife?

[nigelhicks]

Ok here are some specs for you

 

My Force (large) - Horizontal Top tube length = 600mm .... Stand over height = 729mm ..... Head angle = 69deg

 

The Zaskar (Large) - HTTL = 616mm, STOH = 751mm and HA = 71deg.

 

The (Medium) Zaskar - HTTL = 596.74, STOH = 719.8 and HA = 71deg

 

So in this instance ... the Medium Zaskar is actually more akin to my Force ... but the issue would be the seat tube length isnt long enough and i'd need a seatpost to mars to fit it properly.

 

SO if you ride a small hardtail - get a small trail bike (AM bike) as the bike will be more compact but that will suit the riding style the bikes designed for.