Schnavel Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Hey all I'm considering buying a mountain bike, however I'm a little bit worried about the size. I'm 1.81m tall and I ride a 54cm road frame... From what I can understand having read up on the subject on the internet, for a 54cm road frame you should have an 18" MTB frame? Is this correct? I just don't want to buy a frame that is too small or too big as I can't then afford to get another frame. Thanks guys and girls
stewie911 Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Get a large. I'm 1.7m and ride a medium. This is thumbsuck advice. If you're worried, then do a fitment at a bikeshop
Capricorn Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 u on the border of medium and large. best to hop on a few frames and see for yourself. but i'm tending to agree with Stewie.
Schnavel Posted January 23, 2011 Author Posted January 23, 2011 26"... A lot of sites on the internet say I should take a medium, but is there anyone who actually knows?
GF29er Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 its also to do with how you like to sit.. and what you plan to do with the bike (and for me that has changed over the years) currently I have both Medium 26r and 29r Peace (these are bigish) and a Large Gary fisher 29r (smallish). I am also 1.81 but have not got the longest legs, and although I am comfortable on my GF am starting to consider if I shouldn't change it for a medium... Why, well for climbing the GF is great with its long wheelbase and long top tube, but on the technical stuff its not as good as the others because I feel like I have less control, but on fast down hills its great because it is more stable and on longer cross country stuff there is space to stretch out. So to sumarise: the best bike at a bike park: medium 26rthe best bike with technical trails but no long or realty fast bits: medium 29r (bigger than 26r although same frame size)the best bike for longer distance xc stuff: large29r My problem is I need to rationalise... I am also looking for a steel single speed road/cx bike too and then it will be 5 bikes including my normal road bike, can I justify so many
Tankman Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 sizing from manufactures are not all exactly the same! one mans large is another mans medium.So check sizing charts directly from the manufacturers
scotty Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Different bike manufactures have diffrent sizes, Merida XL is 22", Silverback 21" etc. The Commencal even have diffrent sizes for XL, 2009 bikes are smaller (closer to 20") than 2010 (closer to 21"). Try the bike out before making a decision.
Brighter-Lights Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Always get the smaller one... my experience is that many biek shops don't know !@#$ about bike setup and in PE is a perticular shop who's way of fitting often size too big. With a smaller frame, you can easily reach the next size or 2 up with seatpost and stem changes... I'm 1.72 and ride a XS Anthem X0... Using a 400mm KCNC seatpost and a 90mm stem. A Small would also work perfectly and even a medium, BUT the smaller frame handles a lot quicker.
fandacious Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Always get the smaller one... my experience is that many biek shops don't know !@#$ about bike setup and in PE is a perticular shop who's way of fitting often size too big. With a smaller frame, you can easily reach the next size or 2 up with seatpost and stem changes... I'm 1.72 and ride a XS Anthem X0... Using a 400mm KCNC seatpost and a 90mm stem. A Small would also work perfectly and even a medium, BUT the smaller frame handles a lot quicker. Agree. Frame size isnt too important. You can correct your setup with stem and seatpost size and positioning
AndreZA Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 ALWAYS GO ACCORDING TO TOP TUBE!. Measure the virtual top tube of your road bike and add 20-30mm and you have your MTB frame size.
swiss Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 I am 1.79 and got custom fitted by Cyclefit. Ride a 2011 Giant Anthem X (medium). Get yourself custom fitted when buying a bike, then you will have the right size frame.
Schnavel Posted January 24, 2011 Author Posted January 24, 2011 Currently I'm looking at getting a medium 18" merida (2009 model). Thanks everyone for the input... Now I just have to decide if an 18" will fit me...
Choppie Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 I'm 1.79m and bought a new medium Merida. Large was just a bit too big for me.
Ryan Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Test ride both a medium and a large. One will feel like a tank, buy the one that doesn't.
Chubba Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Currently I'm looking at getting a medium 18" merida (2009 model). Thanks everyone for the input... Now I just have to decide if an 18" will fit me... Went to Cycles Direct for a Specialized Body Geometry fit. I am 178cm, the cut-over from medium to large, but the medium frame is the better fit for me. I ride a 17inch Zula. Depends on the frame as others have said. I think the key is, a smaller frame is easier to handle, and can be made to fit a bigger body with set back seat post, longer stems, riser bars etc.
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