Help me choose the right frame size !

[Mountain-Goat]

Hi guys, so tommorow I am picking up my Silverback Sola 4-however I am so confused as to which frame size to get.

 

Today when i was at my LBS i rode the Large (50cm) and the Medium(45cm).

So i took the medium for a spin and enjoyed it. The seatpost however was on the max (350mm seatpost). I understand I can get a 400mm Seatpost but i still wanted to try out the Large.

 

So I took the large for a Spin and loved it. I did not feel as cramped and I just for some reason felt more comfortable.

 

So these are my options:

Buy the medium and get a 400mm setapost leaving me with about 2/3 cm from the min insert.

Or

Buy the Large and not need a new seatpost (keeping in my mind I feel more comfortable on the large and can allways replace the 90mm stem with a shorter stem and wider handlebar at a later stage if nessacary)

 

I am seriously leaning towards the large, i just have one concern:

Keeping in mind that both frames have the same seat tube angle of 73 degrees, When setting my self up on the bike, Will my Fore-Aft saddle position be the same as my Fore-Aft saddle position on the medium ? Bearing in mind i am not adjusting the fore-aft position to be closer or further away from handlebar. I am adjusting it according to the test you do with the string and stone.

 

All advice will be appreciated. Thanks a lot !

[Hennie VR]

I think you have already answered your own question.

 

Obviously the large would be the better option leaving you with more adjustable range to achieve the correct angles on tour bike setup.

 

If you Go for the medium and the seat needs to go up you will be putting a lot of strain on the frame and it might lead to a cracked frame.

 

I'm no pro but that is what makes sense to me.

[Hennie VR]

Does Silverback not have a sizing chart that recommend sizes according to your height on their website?

 

Your LBS should also be able to let you the correct size.

[The MTBer]

I am 1.94m and I ride a Xl, but most guys would prefer a L. I like my space, you don't want to be cramped for 70km. Google the geometry chart of the bike and see what the top tube length is on both bikes and compare it, 2cm can make a big difference.

 

The other thing is I also heard that you must never sort out sizing with a stem! Get the bike you are comfortable with and then change the stem if you want to.

[cpelser]

I have a 2014 Sola 1 (same frame, different colour)

 

I'm 181cm and have the medium, it's perfect for me.

 

Go to www.wrenchscience.com and fill in your stuff on their fit system.

It should pop out a size for you, more or less.

 

Anyway, the Silverback frames dop have a slightly altered geometry with the top tube being longer than it should be (due to the angle), so your top tube would have to be longer than stated on wrenchscience.

 

Best still, since you rode two, just go with those two..

[Iwan Kemp]

Hi guys, so tommorow I am picking up my Silverback Sola 4...

 

Go with the Large and play with stem length to get you fitted and the reach you want. IN GENERAL based on rule of thumb sizing we are, and have been, riding too short bikes since MTB'ing got going.

 

Fore / Aft will be the same one the same bike even if sizes differ and as long as the geometry stays the same between the sizes. 

 

Fore / Aft is to fix your leg / knee positioning related to the BB - TT length has no bearing on it.

 

The other thing is I also heard that you must never sort out sizing with a stem! Get the bike you are comfortable with and then change the stem if you want to.

You should absolutely sort out sizing with your stem. I don't mean anything drastic like buy a XL when you're a Med and then fit a super short stem, but there's no other place on a bike to sort sizing. 

[Iwan Kemp]

I have a 2014 Sola 1 (same frame, different colour)

 

I'm 181cm and have the medium, it's perfect for me.

 

Go to www.wrenchscience.com and fill in your stuff on their fit system.

It should pop out a size for you, more or less.

 

1. I'm 179 and a Large fits me to the tee

2. Be careful of online sizing charts and programs. It's a very flat way of doing something that has to take more into account than just pure figures.

[Mountain-Goat]

WITH REF TO GEOMETRY CHART:

 

Thanks for all the respones guys- really apreciate it.

 

Basically my mind is set on the large-there is just one thing stopping me.

 

If I buy the large, will the Fore/Aft saddle positioning on the large be the exact same as on the medium in realtion to POSITIONING MY KNEES CORRECTLY ?

 

Im sure some people will wonder why I am asking such an odd question, but i have my reasons as to why I am asking. Thanks so much

[The MTBer]

You can move the saddle forward and backwards so that your setup can be perfect. The whole setup would be different for a M and a L, you can the compensate with a different stem.

[Mountain-Goat]

You can move the saddle forward and backwards so that your setup can be perfect. The whole setup would be different for a M and a L, you can the compensate with a different stem.

Thanks, but what I want to know is would my perfect Fore/Aft positioning on the medium be the same as on the large ? Without condisering moving saddle forward or backward for reach.

[Iwan Kemp]

WITH REF TO GEOMETRY CHART:

 

Thanks for all the respones guys- really apreciate it.

 

Basically my mind is set on the large-there is just one thing stopping me.

 

If I buy the large, will the Fore/Aft saddle positioning on the large be the exact same as on the medium in realtion to POSITIONING MY KNEES CORRECTLY ?

 

Im sure some people will wonder why I am asking such an odd question, but i have my reasons as to why I am asking. Thanks so much

 

Yes. Even on a small or XL as long as the following stays constant

- saddle height

- seat tube angle

- crank arm length

- pedal "stack"

 

1. Your saddle height will always stay the same as your legs stay the same length regardless of what size bike you're on. 

 

2. Saddle height is measured from centre of bb to the top of your saddle. That will also stay the same regardless of bike size. All that will change is the length seatpost sticking out or not. 

 

Fore / Aft adjustment is done 100% to get your knee / stroke sorted over the pedals. Nothing to do with the reach / stack / tt or anything in front of the bike's bb that can be changed or altered. Anyone doing a setup moving your saddle to get you closer to the bars IS DOING IT WRONG.

[Mountain-Goat]

Yes. Even on a small or XL as long as the following stays constant

- saddle height

- seat tube angle

- crank arm length

- pedal "stack"

 

1. Your saddle height will always stay the same as your legs stay the same length regardless of what size bike you're on. 

 

2. Saddle height is measured from centre of bb to the top of your saddle. That will also stay the same regardless of bike size. All that will change is the length seatpost sticking out or not. 

 

Fore / Aft adjustment is done 100% to get your knee / stroke sorted over the pedals. Nothing to do with the reach / stack / tt or anything in front of the bike's bb that can be changed or altered. Anyone doing a setup moving your saddle to get you closer to the bars IS DOING IT WRONG.

Ok awesome, well now that i know my fore/aft will be the same I am deff going for the large !

 

Thanks for the help Iwan !

[Iwan Kemp]

Ok awesome, well now that i know my fore/aft will be the same I am deff going for the large !

 

Thanks for the help Iwan !

[BDF]

Can I hop on this one?

I am 183cm tall with 85cm inseam

 

Looking at getting a dual susp MTB. Would I be M or L?

[dee_biker]

Can I hop on this one?

I am 183cm tall with 85cm inseam

 

Looking at getting a dual susp MTB. Would I be M or L?

 

I say go ride to check, I have EXACTLY the same measures  and ride a Large Anthem 29er.

But your top tube is important. Look at something in the 610 to 620 mm range (my opinion)

[BDF]

I say go ride to check, I have EXACTLY the same measures  and ride a Large Anthem 29er.

But your top tube is important. Look at something in the 610 to 620 mm range (my opinion)

Thanks, the L I'm looking at is 625mm top tube and the M is 600. Should rather go L then I rekon. Looking at the Silverback Sprada 1 at the moment. I have been offered a M at a good price but think in the long run it will be not so good if sizing is out. I ride a L (56) Road bike.