GTfan Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Hi all, was just wondering if anyone can tell me if a medium size MTB is right for me... I'm 1.78 m tall but am a bit worried that the bike might be too small for me.... thanks..
TNT1 Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 ha! I'm a little taller and ride a 16" HT... Setup is exactly the same as my road bike. Dunno if that applies to a dual suss... Probably not... Ok. nevermind.
TNT1 Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 No that does help thanks TNT1 No worries.. I always try to do the least I possibly can
levett Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 I would 'guess' that a Medium is the right size for you - but a 'medium' is not a 'medium' is not a 'medium' the geometry of all makes is different, and you will feel more comfortable on some than others. It also depends on your 'relative' dimensions not just overall height - i.e. do you have 'shorter than average' or 'longer than average' arms and legs - therefore a 'long body' or 'short body'(doesn't help I know!, but I would go and get 'measured' and then 'try' the different bikes - some will feel right, some will feel 'wrong', even if all are Medium). p.s. I'm slightly shorter than you 5'10" (just under 1.78m) and have a 'long body' (therefore short arms and legs) - I ride a Giant Trance in Medium, but with a 130mm Stem.levett2009-06-02 02:22:28
TNT1 Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 I would 'guess' that a Medium is the right size for you - but a 'medium' is not a 'medium' is not a 'medium' the geometry of all makes is different' date=' and you will feel more comfortable on some than others.It also depends on your 'relative' dimensions not just overall height - i.e. do you have 'shorter than average' or 'longer than average' arms and legs - therefore a 'long body' or 'short body'(doesn't help I know!, but I would go and get 'measured' and then 'try' the different bikes - some will feel right, some will feel 'wrong', ever if all are Medium)[/quote'] Hey, that's almost exactly what I said...
levett Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Hey' date=' that's almost exactly what I said...[/quote']Great minds think alike (though there is another side to that saying)
ngala24 Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Im 179 and ride a small 16' bike and set up is perfect with a 100mm stem, best is to go get a fitting done, can recommend Aaron Brown
GTfan Posted June 2, 2009 Author Posted June 2, 2009 Ok, medium it is then .. seen a Raleigh Marathon 6.0 and being discontinued and the last one in the cycle store...
Marius Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 I had a Large Santa Cruz Mtb and now have a Medium Specialized, all brands have different TT lenghs, so make sure what yours should be.
AndreZA Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 I had a Large Santa Cruz Mtb and now have a Medium Specialized' date=' all brands have different TT lenghs, so make sure what yours should be.[/quote'] exactly Marius. My SC is also L and my Raleigh HT was M.
Daxiet Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Just something more to note, the 08 Marathons are smaller sizes than most. But what has been said thus far is spot on. 1st check that the seat height can accomodate you without exceeding the min. mark on the seat post. Then check that you feel comfortable with your profile seat to handle bars. You must not feel like a bear on a kids bike. I would say the avg. 1.78m rider should fit fine on a M 08 Marathon, probably on the verge of warranting a large. On the subject of replacing the stem with a longer than standard stem, the catch is control is degraded. The shorter the stem the better the control. Daxiet2009-06-02 02:41:07
levett Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 On the subject of replacing the stem with a longer than standard stem' date=' the catch is control is degraded. The shorter the stem the better the control. [/quote']I agree totally - but sometimes you have to compromise - I can't ride a Large, for fear of the 'jewels' in an off (short legs), but need a longer TT than anyone makes in a Medium (long body) - hence the longer stem is the solution for me.As I said - try - then 'customise' - but if the basic fit is wrong, no abount of 'component change' will ever maske it feel 'right'.
GTfan Posted June 2, 2009 Author Posted June 2, 2009 On the subject of replacing the stem with a longer than standard stem' date=' the catch is control is degraded. The shorter the stem the better the control. [/quote'] I agree totally - but sometimes you have to compromise - I can't ride a Large, for fear of the 'jewels' in an off (short legs), but need a longer TT than anyone makes in a Medium (long body) - hence the longer stem is the solution for me. As I said - try - then 'customise' - but if the basic fit is wrong, no abount of 'component change' will ever maske it feel 'right'. Ok I know this is a real blonde question, but what is a TT? or what part of a bike is the TT?..
levett Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 TT = Top Tube (stretch between saddle and bars - actually the 'stretch' takes into account the stem and any 'forward' sweep of the bars)Hence 'bike fit' is not just the height of the TT (standover), but also the length (reach to the bars).Hence, with short legs, but a long body, I need a low-long TTlevett2009-06-02 03:16:39
Ratty Posted June 2, 2009 Posted June 2, 2009 Its not cut and dry. I had a small specialized epic and now a medium stumpjumper both with the standard stem. I found the 2 bikes feel very similar in size. So basically even the same brand can be very different.Best is to try the bike and see how it feels.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now