1712 Posted April 8, 2015 Posted April 8, 2015 As a new, potential, Mtb rider, I have a question. I am 1.72m tall (or short) and want to know what is the best size bike to buy? Will a small be a better choice than a medium? Thx and hope to hear from the clever people.
1712 Posted April 8, 2015 Author Posted April 8, 2015 more a budget thing, as I am not sure I will do the "full monty" thing. Did see a Merida TFS 500, small frame
BSG Posted April 8, 2015 Posted April 8, 2015 more a budget thing, as I am not sure I will do the "full monty" thing. Did see a Merida TFS 500, small frameI'm 1,76cm and I ride a Merida big nine 29er tfs500 size M 17" frame.
Eugene Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Medium will probably be too big. A better indicator would be to measure your leg's inseam (from foot to crotch) and multiply by 0.65. This is more or less what you will be looking at If the measurement is 50 then Xtra small or 14 inch in MTB Terms 52 Small 16 inch 54 medium 18 inch A proper bike fit would be more accurate (but over priced in my opinion) and also bear in mind some manufactures have different sizing etc. (example one brand may have 18 inch as their medium, another brand might have 17 inch as their medium or even 19inch).
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Medium will probably be too big. A better indicator would be to measure your leg's inseam (from foot to crotch) and multiply by 0.65. This is more or less what you will be looking at If the measurement is 50 then Xtra small or 14 inch in MTB Terms 52 Small 16 inch 54 medium 18 inch A proper bike fit would be more accurate (but over priced in my opinion) and also bear in mind some manufactures have different sizing etc. (example one brand may have 18 inch as their medium, another brand might have 17 inch as their medium or even 19inch).no - please don't use inseam as an indicator as to MTB frame size. Saddles can always be raised or lowered to fit your inseam. Your primary measurement should be ideal effective Top tube & Reach measurements. Find your ideal TT measurement, then select the frame size / bike brand on that, and then check the reach so that you get a bike with the right amount of room in the cockpit based on your riding style. Agressive and out the saddle = longer reach = more room to maneuver out the saddle.
Ryanpmb Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I'm a similar height to you 1712 and ride anything from a 16.5" to 18" frame. Depends on the application of the bike and as El Cap says ETT is a key factor. All my MTB frames have an ETT of 590 - 600mm with varying stem lengths depending on what the bike is setup for. Bare in mind though that reach isn't necessarily related to height and personal preferences come into play so what works for me may not work for someone else. As a rough guide I'd say a 16.5-17" frame with 570-600 ETT. Start there and adjust stem, bars and seatpost accordingly. If you have giraffe arms or T-Rex arms you'll probably be outside these measurements... longer or shorter stem etc etc.
NotSoBigBen Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 no - please don't use inseam as an indicator as to MTB frame size. Saddles can always be raised or lowered to fit your inseam. Your primary measurement should be ideal effective Top tube & Reach measurements. Find your ideal TT measurement, then select the frame size / bike brand on that, and then check the reach so that you get a bike with the right amount of room in the cockpit based on your riding style. Agressive and out the saddle = longer reach = more room to maneuver out the saddle. So how best to find your 'ideal TT measurement'?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 So how best to find your 'ideal TT measurement'?bike fit But ignore their recommended TT & stem figures, and rather look at the total number the compooter spits out. The computerised approach is SERIOUSLY flawed, and only looks at pedalling efficiency. I mean, it recommends that you increase your stem length as you go up in frame sizing, and will not let you alter bar widths, or accept that you may want to go for a 50mm stem instead of the 120mm that it spits out.
keithbe Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 If standing flat foot on the ground with legs either side of the cross tube/bar and your nuts, and that soft sensitive section between said nuts and crack, aren't pushed up to your tonsils the bike is probably the right size. The stem, handle bar width etc. can be changed to accommodate your cock pit, no relation to nuts, setup as you get fimiliar with the dynamics of your bike.
Bomberman Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 As a new, potential, Mtb rider, I have a question. I am 1.72m tall (or short) and want to know what is the best size bike to buy? Will a small be a better choice than a medium? Thx and hope to hear from the clever people.I'm 1.72 and have gone over to a small frame 16inc. My first mtb was a medium silver back, was very comfy and easy to handle. Second bike was a merida xc bike, same size frame but felt too big so I sold it and got another merida but with a smaller frame. Rides like a dream. I think it depends on what manufacturer you are looking at as well as the bike itself.
fanievb Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I'm 1.72.my 26" was a small frame (giant XTC2) , I only changed the seatpost to a longer one my 29" is medium (giant XTC comp), change the stem to be negative but that is to suit my contorted riding style edit: added brands/models
Patensie Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I'm 1.65 and ride a medium santa cruz 5010. Previous bike was a small BMC 4stroke and the one before that a small 2004 Scalpel. The Scalpel was too small and I should've had a medium - very expensive mistake in both ZARs and bad riding for 6 years. BMC was perfect, but cracked. Different brands have different sizing. Generally speaking, at 1.72 (which is the same height as my brother who is on a med 2011 Scalpel), a medium should be just about right.
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