Frame size for long legs?

[1track]

I am 6ft1 with long 91cm inseam legs & I think I fall between most L & XL frame sizes.

The two bike shops I've been to seem to think I'm a size L but when I sit on the bike it feels short. Have I just become used to a bigger frame or is it that the shops are jumping to conclusions without really looking?

I am looking at an Anthem 29er & have not yet been able to ride a XL as supplies are limited, the size L bike had a short stem but I assume the whole bike was desighned with that in mind.

Here is the Anthem 29er geometry

Size Head A Seat A TopTube HeadTube ChainStay WheelBase Standover Height

Inches Degrees Degrees Inches Inches Inches Inches Inches

L/20 71.00 73.00 24.2 4.10 18.20 44.30 31.70

XL/22 71.00 73.00 25.00 4.70 18.20 45.10 32.30

or see bellow

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/anthem.x.29er/7508/44088/

My current bike is a Shwin Moab 1 older design with the following measurements

top tube centre to centre horizontal: 637mm or 24,84in

seat tube centre BB to top: 533mm or 20.787in

Stand over: 830mm or 32,3in

I am happy with the fit of the Moab but the front lifts on steep sections because its not designed for a 100mm fork.

I will use the bike on a bit of everything including steep climbs & technical descents I won't race much, perhaps some marathons eventually.

The obvious advice is ride them both & see but what if I've become used to something that isn't optimal for me?

[AndreZA]

Measuring legs to determine frame size is crap. Seatpost come in lengths up to 410mm and can quickly and easily be adjusted. What you need is top tube length (torso length). Don't go for a MTB with a stem longer then 100mm either.

[1track]

Thanks understood top tube is most important, but I thought long legs might be relevant because they affect the position of your body?

Also some bikes like the Jamis Dakar XCR go from 19 to 21in size with very little difference in top tube length.

The stem on the Anthem is short not more than 80mm, if I went to 100 would that put me at a greater risk of going over the bars on drops?

Edited November 2, 2010 by 1track

[Aggies]

Had exactly the same problem. If you have short legs, you will always come with the bull story that top tube lenght is the most important.

 

I am 1,86 tall with an inseam of 92.5cm.

 

Had a Large (20") Merida 96 as the top tube lenght was perfect. Had to fit a 400mm seatpost. Absolutely hated the fact that my seat was so high relative to the low bars (even with riser bar fitted). Pro's want to be sitting like this, but not with a diff of two fists.

 

Bought a Giant Anthem 29er 1 Extra Large. Height of the bike is pefect. Saddle height is an inch higher than bars - perfect. Bike did feel a bit long. Swopped the standard 110mm stem with a 90mm stem from a Medium bike. Reach perfect. Handling - even better.

 

To any tallish rider (inseam over 90cm) or lenght of over 1.85, I would always recommend to go for the biggest frame that you feel comfortable with. Trust me, I've tried all combinations.

 

Who is the experts? The Ultimate Hubbers? The website that does fitting based on facts for pro's?

 

I would recon that it will be the manufacturer as they actually put in the effort into R&D. They spend endless hours on designing frame angles, etc. How much time would they spend on analyzing what size frames to produce?

 

 

Have a look at the size sticker on the Giant Anthem 29er.

 

The following for riders between x and x is mentioned.

 

M = 18" - 5'7" to 5'10"

L = 20" - 5'10" to 6'1"

XL = 22" - 6'1" to 6'5"

 

Now that is based on the absolute average leg length of people. If you are 6'1" and have longer than normal legs, you are similar to 6'3". Rather go XL than L. If you have shorter than normal legs go L as 6'1" is covered by both sizes.

 

Ps. I really enjoy the 29er in ALL aspects. I actually found it to be better than a 26" in the categories that all will claim a 26" to be better, like short steep climbs, accelaration and tight singletrack.

[Tankman]

Had the same issue, with most bikes I was either to big for the 56cm or the 58cm was to big for me, until I found my 57.5cm Pina

 

Try this DIY Fit Calculator

[Aggies]

Had the same issue, with most bikes I was either to big for the 56cm or the 58cm was to big for me, until I found my 57.5cm Pina

 

Try this DIY Fit Calculator

 

 

Same issue here. Had a look at the results of the calculator - 20" MTB frame - BULL!

 

Been there, done that. Can say it is only a rough guide based on the absolute average person.

[Minion]

Same issue here. Had a look at the results of the calculator - 20" MTB frame - BULL!

 

Been there, done that. Can say it is only a rough guide based on the absolute average person.

Have you actually looked at the results of that calculator? Nowhwere does it recommend a specific frame size. It gives a range of measurements for top tube length, stem length, seat height etc.

 

I would say, given that its results are based on 8 individual measurements, it's hardly based on the absolute average person. I you want results based on absolute averages, look at the standard size ranges offered by most manufacturers. I will guarantee that these are based off standard tables of body measurements: it would be almost impossible to make a mass produced bike without doing this.

 

The Competitive Cyclist calculator makes a good starting point for looking at frame sizes and if your body proportions are significantly different from the average data then it is certainly a better estimate than simply measuring you height/inseam in isolation.

[Ha Ha Kieran]

Or you could just get yourself a Custom Built Bottecchia EMME2 and ride customised geometry

[1track]

A somewhat belated thanks for the feedback.

i've been away for a while but thought I would post my purchases and conclusions, it may be of interest to someone with long legs.

I first bought a size large titanium hard tail, 19in top tube 622mm effective top tube, with pretty conventional dimensions and a 100mm stem. I was very happy on this bike, it handled well, and was comfortable (once I had a longer seat post and a riser bar).

This bike served me well but eventually I became to old for a hard tail. When it was time to upgrade I did a lot of searching on the net and decided that, a bigger bike would be better, and that it was time to try the newer geometry style. 

I bought a XL Pyga Stage and not only is this the best bike I have ever owned but it is the first bike that I think is the perfect size. I thought that short a wheelbase made a bike exiting, but it turns out that the opposite is actually true. Initially the front wheel felt like it was way out front, but once I got past that the extra confidence that this inspired is pretty amazing.

So for me a larger frame with a shorter stem is better, and the newer geometry is actually quite a blast with virtually no down sides.

[Grease_Monkey]

EDIT: Post not applicable...

Edited October 13, 2016 by Grease_Monkey