Going from Large frame to Medium

[Rouxenator]

I have a couple of bits lying around and was toying with the idea of putting it all together as a backup MTB. I usually ride Large frame bikes and some reckon I should actually be on a XL frame. Sometimes I do ride my wife's XS frame 26er but only for short distances.

 

Now for my backup bike I see there are a few nice frames available but all are Medium sized. What are the pros and cons of a large frame rider on a medium frame bike?

[King_Crispy]

Would you wear a shoe that is too small for you?

No, coz it's uncomfortable.

So use a bit of logic and apply it to this situation too.

You are a large, so ride a large bike.

If you want undersized, go to the park and play on a swing

[Amberdrake]

Bad idea. Its likely going to cause you pain in strange places. Wait a while large frames will come around again.

[Rouxenator]

It is not uncomfortable for me when I ride a XS frame bike, and I did do my first K2C on a Medium frame bike that I borrowed. So I get the shoe analogy but it is not quite the same as bike frames. 

[Tankman]

It is not uncomfortable for me when I ride a XS frame bike, and I did do my first K2C on a Medium frame bike that I borrowed. So I get the shoe analogy but it is not quite the same as bike frames.

How do you even get your saddle close to high enough on a XS?

 

Using a 400mm post wont even get you there.

 

Sounds like you WANT to crack another frame!

[DubbelBuys]

I have a couple of bits lying around and was toying with the idea of putting it all together as a backup MTB. I usually ride Large frame bikes and some reckon I should actually be on a XL frame. Sometimes I do ride my wife's XS frame 26er but only for short distances.

 

Now for my backup bike I see there are a few nice frames available but all are Medium sized. What are the pros and cons of a large frame rider on a medium frame bike?

Contact Roshambo.

 

He's got a L Morewood Zula frame.

[TheV]

Mountain bike frame sizes are not universal. They differ vastly across brands, models and intended uses. You cannot reduce the right size to a simple S/M/L label. Also, a good fit includes stem length and hight, and saddle hight and position. Bar width, crank length, saddle width, and many other bits go into a good setup.

 

Shops will never tell you this because they are either stupid, or just want to make it easier to sell what they have on the floor...

[Rouxenator]

Ok, so there is a higher risk of cracking the frame if you are too big for it, makes sense. Thanks I'll keep that in mind.

[TheV]

Ok, so there is a higher risk of cracking the frame if you are too big for it, makes sense. Thanks I'll keep that in mind.

Stop talking *** and being lured into stupid conversations... Get yourself a proper bike fit based on your body and don't listen to idiots

[DirtyDan]

My trail bike is a large and my SS is a medium.

 

All you'll need to do is have the seat post higher and use a shorter/up-slanting stem. Kinda obvious you can't have the same dimensional setup on the smaller frame, but you know that.

 

I find it really awesome - the smaller frame will teach you to handle better and you'll have loads of fun throwing the bike around!

[RockCoach]

All it really depends on is the Effective (horizontal) Top Tube measurement.

[droo]

I have a couple of bits lying around and was toying with the idea of putting it all together as a backup MTB. I usually ride Large frame bikes and some reckon I should actually be on a XL frame. Sometimes I do ride my wife's XS frame 26er but only for short distances.

 

Now for my backup bike I see there are a few nice frames available but all are Medium sized. What are the pros and cons of a large frame rider on a medium frame bike?

 

What size wheels? I've got an XL 26" Zula going if you're interested...

[NukeproofPeanut]

To state what I assume should be obvious. Not all frames are made the same, a medium in one bike could well be a large in another.

 

You need to look at the geometry of each bike, in particular, the Effective Top Tube (as stated by Robodog) as well as stand over higher.

[dee_biker]

Ride what is comfortable for you. If it is a Medium, so be it.

 

The wrong size can also have an effect on your confidence on gnarly stuff and singletrack... But it doesn't sound as if you do much of that.

 

I am 1.83m tall and ride a Large Giant. A medium just can't work for me, no matter what I do to try and make it work (stem, seatpost, etc).

 

I agree with previous posters, if you want to take it serious and feel comfortable on your bike, get a proper fitment, or if you don't want to pay for that, at least see what feels most comfortable.