Beginner hardtail frame size (168cm)

[CM101]

Hi All, 

For someone at my height (168cm) I tend to fall between S & M frames on most hardtails. Does anyone have any advice on what I should be looking out for when shopping for my very first hardtail in terms of the size of the frame and ride positions? 

 

Edited September 14, 2022 by CM101

[Steady Spin]

Most good shops will be able to size you correctly. 

168cm leans towards medium but not all bikes are the same and not all people are the same. Short torso, long legs? Medium? 
Short legs, longer torso? Small? 

Hard to say. 

For example, my fiance is 165cm and she is on a small trail bike but a medium xc bike. There really is no set rule. 

When buying secondhand it would be best to do a test ride and see how it feels. Are you too upright and the saddle pushing the max insert mark or are you stretched out and the top tube smacks you in the crotch. 

[Shaheedalex]

1 hour ago, CM101 said:

Hi All, 

For someone at my height (168cm) I tend to fall between S & M frames on most hardtails. Does anyone have any advice on what I should be looking out for when shopping for my very first hardtail in terms of the size of the frame and ride positions? 

 

My son is at 163cm and he quite enjoys riding my Large hardtail so I would scratch small off list

I am currently looking for a Medium frame for him to build up

Have you come across any deals?

[lechatnoir]

24 minutes ago, Steady Spin said:

Most good shops will be able to size you correctly. 

168cm leans towards medium but not all bikes are the same and not all people are the same. Short torso, long legs? Medium? 
Short legs, longer torso? Small? 

Hard to say. 

For example, my fiance is 165cm and she is on a small trail bike but a medium xc bike. There really is no set rule. 

When buying secondhand it would be best to do a test ride and see how it feels. Are you too upright and the saddle pushing the max insert mark or are you stretched out and the top tube smacks you in the crotch. 

^^^^This... I did a fitting on my MTB and road bike recently, and the medium road frame is perfect, but in my MTB should be XL. A L MTB with a slacker seat tube would be fine, but not in the model I ride. Yes, road and MTB are different, but i think it speaks to the point above.

[CM101]

29 minutes ago, Steady Spin said:

Most good shops will be able to size you correctly. 

168cm leans towards medium but not all bikes are the same and not all people are the same. Short torso, long legs? Medium? 
Short legs, longer torso? Small? 

Hard to say. 

For example, my fiance is 165cm and she is on a small trail bike but a medium xc bike. There really is no set rule. 

When buying secondhand it would be best to do a test ride and see how it feels. Are you too upright and the saddle pushing the max insert mark or are you stretched out and the top tube smacks you in the crotch. 

Appreciate the feedback thank you! I will definitely be testing out before buying anything. Perhaps renting different sizes to see how comfortable I am over a medium-ish trails is another option. 

[CM101]

7 minutes ago, Shaheedalex said:

My son is at 163cm and he quite enjoys riding my Large hardtail so I would scratch small off list

I am currently looking for a Medium frame for him to build up

Have you come across any deals?

No particular deals just yet, I mean there are plenty on this forum just need to find the time to setup a meeting and test ride  let me know if you come across anything please

 

[ChrisF]

Only bit to add to the previous comments - please note sizes differ between brands !!  In fact, it sometimes even differ between year models of the same brand.

 

When you find that special bike, that one that puts the smile on your face .... then get stuck in to ensure you get their correct size for your dimensions.

 

 

ENJOY

[MORNE]

My wife is 169 and she rides a medium gravel as well as mtb if that helps. You’ll fit a small too i guess, but with longer stems and posts. Might feel cramped - bike dependant.

[Me rida my bicycle]

I would also say medium but just check new bikes are stretched out(some brands) I am more comfortable on my Scott Scale than my Silverback Superspeed both medium but the Superspeed is definitely noticeable longer. 

Ride a couple of bikes and don't throw small out the window it all depends on the geometry of the bike. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

3 hours ago, Shaheedalex said:

My son is at 163cm and he quite enjoys riding my Large hardtail so I would scratch small off list

I am currently looking for a Medium frame for him to build up

Have you come across any deals?

The large is probably a nice bike that's why he enjoys riding it. A that length a large is out soos koekies in 'n weeshuis. 

[MTBRIDER1234]

3 hours ago, CM101 said:

Appreciate the feedback thank you! I will definitely be testing out before buying anything. Perhaps renting different sizes to see how comfortable I am over a medium-ish trails is another option. 

I am a bit taller than you at 172ish and I ride a size large PYGA enduro bike and I prefer the handling over the medium by far. It is not too big for me (I run a 125mm dropper but could run a 150 fully slammed) it all depends on your riding style and preferences, as I have clearly upsized because it suits me and how/what I ride better. 

For perspective, it has a 480 reach and a 1243 wheelbase, so it certainly is not a small bike by any means.

[ChrisF]

Just now, MTBRIDER1234 said:

I am a bit taller than you at 172ish and I ride a size large PYGA enduro bike and I prefer the handling over the medium by far. It is not too big for me (I run a 125mm dropper but could run a 150 fully slammed) it all depends on your riding style and preferences, as I have clearly upsized because it suits me and how/what I ride better. 

For perspective, it has a 480 reach and a 1243 wheelbase, so it certainly is not a small bike by any means.

 

At 176 the Large Scott fits me like a glove.  

 

But on Giant the Large is too big for me ....  Same with Darrvin

 

 

 

Friend had an older Scott in Large, so just ordered his new one in Large .... It is noticably larger than the previous bike !!  One JUST fits him !!

[RobertWhitehead]

I can make a public offer: I currently have a S x GT HT (now remember - a GT has a longer top tube) My feeling is that it will work for you.

So here's my offer: Pop through from Jhb and come and spend some time with me, I will take you to a place like Rosemary or Cowhouse. You can then test the GT the whole day 😁. Come to think of it, I currently have a 650B Small Momsen frame and all the parts to make a decent build as well. If you want I can assemble that one as well 

[ChrisF]

15 minutes ago, RobertWhitehead said:

I can make a public offer: I currently have a S x GT HT (now remember - a GT has a longer top tube) My feeling is that it will work for you.

So here's my offer: Pop through from Jhb and come and spend some time with me, I will take you to a place like Rosemary or Cowhouse. You can then test the GT the whole day 😁. Come to think of it, I currently have a 650B Small Momsen frame and all the parts to make a decent build as well. If you want I can assemble that one as well 

 

@CM101 this is a VERY good offer.  Robert has helped many Hubbers in the past.  Well worth your time to take him up on the offer.

[CM101]

4 hours ago, RobertWhitehead said:

I can make a public offer: I currently have a S x GT HT (now remember - a GT has a longer top tube) My feeling is that it will work for you.

So here's my offer: Pop through from Jhb and come and spend some time with me, I will take you to a place like Rosemary or Cowhouse. You can then test the GT the whole day 😁. Come to think of it, I currently have a 650B Small Momsen frame and all the parts to make a decent build as well. If you want I can assemble that one as well 

Robert this is an amazing gesture and one I will definitely take you up on. Thank you so much! I will drop you a private message to get in touch. Once again thank you, I look forward to meeting you 😁

[RobertWhitehead]

This will also help: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp