Mountain Biking - What size mountain bike should I be on?
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View Full Version : What size mountain bike should I be on?
Rosso Corsa
06-16-08, 01:52 PM
Hello,
I am wondering what size mountain bike I should be on. I have seen a few online calculators for road bike sizing, but not for mountain bikes.
Online I have found a nice mountain bike (used) I would like to buy. Its frame is 17 inches.
I am 5 feet and 6.5 inches tall, and have a 30 inch inseam.
Plus, I am 16 and growing, so I would like it to be a bit on the big side so it will last me.
So, would a 17 inch frame fit me well?
FWIW, my friend, who is very close to the same size as me, rides a 19 and thinks it is too big for him.
I am wondering what size mountain bike I should be on. I have seen a few online calculators for road bike sizing, but not for mountain bikes.
Online I have found a nice mountain bike (used) I would like to buy. Its frame is 17 inches.
I am 5 feet and 6.5 inches tall, and have a 30 inch inseam.
Plus, I am 16 and growing, so I would like it to be a bit on the big side so it will last me.
So, would a 17 inch frame fit me well?
FWIW, my friend, who is very close to the same size as me, rides a 19 and thinks it is too big for him.
Rodney Strong
06-16-08, 03:32 PM
Two factors to consider. Standover clearance and Top Tube length.
Standover should be a minimum of two inches. This is important for several reasons, especially if you are a male and plan to have children. The best way to determine if a bike has enough standover clearance is to standover or stradle the bike and lift it up into you crotch. Both wheels should be at least 2 inches off the ground at the same time.
The top tube length is something you have to discover on your own. That length depends on personal preference. On a bike with an average length stem (100mm) you should not feel too stretched out or too cramped.
With that said I am about your height, but with a 29" inseam. I like a TT length of about 22 inches. And I like a bike with a standover height of 27" or less. For me a 17 inch bike is too big. But then again I have stopped growing.
What brand/model of bike are you considering?
Standover should be a minimum of two inches. This is important for several reasons, especially if you are a male and plan to have children. The best way to determine if a bike has enough standover clearance is to standover or stradle the bike and lift it up into you crotch. Both wheels should be at least 2 inches off the ground at the same time.
The top tube length is something you have to discover on your own. That length depends on personal preference. On a bike with an average length stem (100mm) you should not feel too stretched out or too cramped.
With that said I am about your height, but with a 29" inseam. I like a TT length of about 22 inches. And I like a bike with a standover height of 27" or less. For me a 17 inch bike is too big. But then again I have stopped growing.
What brand/model of bike are you considering?
Rosso Corsa
06-16-08, 03:50 PM
Here is the bike I am looking at:
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/712613507.html
Devinci Moonracer hardtail, awesome components, not much use. I wish I could get the price down a bit more. I'll see what I can pull together money wise.
Would a 17" seat-tube equal a 17" toptube? What is the ratio usually with more aggressive bikes?
Thanks for the input!
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/712613507.html
Devinci Moonracer hardtail, awesome components, not much use. I wish I could get the price down a bit more. I'll see what I can pull together money wise.
Would a 17" seat-tube equal a 17" toptube? What is the ratio usually with more aggressive bikes?
Thanks for the input!
Scratcher33
06-16-08, 04:02 PM
I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam and ride a 15" (but Jamis runs a little big). I can ride 17"ers but my junk is pretty much sitting on the top tube when standing over, so aggressive riding is pretty scary. But I think if you're still growing, it'll probably be fine. Go check it out, see how it feels, and/or go to your LBS and have them size you (on the same brand if you can). Best of luck.
Rodney Strong
06-16-08, 04:07 PM
Here is the bike I am looking at:
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/712613507.html
Devinci Moonracer hardtail, awesome components, not much use. I wish I could get the price down a bit more. I'll see what I can pull together money wise.
Would a 17" seat-tube equal a 17" toptube? What is the ratio usually with more aggressive bikes?
Thanks for the input!Sweet bike. But at that pricepoint you could do well to visit local bike shops and see what they have. A bike like that brand new would probably be under $1600US. I noticed that the crank and derailleurs are vintage 2002.
IMO the bike is overpriced, plus you can't test ride it.
As to ratio of ST to TT; on recent MTB bikes expect a 22 to 23 inch TT on a 17 inch seat tube'd bike.
My 16" Kona HT and similiar sized Santa Cruz Superligt both have 21.7 inch TTs.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/712613507.html
Devinci Moonracer hardtail, awesome components, not much use. I wish I could get the price down a bit more. I'll see what I can pull together money wise.
Would a 17" seat-tube equal a 17" toptube? What is the ratio usually with more aggressive bikes?
Thanks for the input!Sweet bike. But at that pricepoint you could do well to visit local bike shops and see what they have. A bike like that brand new would probably be under $1600US. I noticed that the crank and derailleurs are vintage 2002.
IMO the bike is overpriced, plus you can't test ride it.
As to ratio of ST to TT; on recent MTB bikes expect a 22 to 23 inch TT on a 17 inch seat tube'd bike.
My 16" Kona HT and similiar sized Santa Cruz Superligt both have 21.7 inch TTs.
Rosso Corsa
06-16-08, 04:25 PM
Thanks a lot for the help.
Would you say the bike would be a decent deal at $1500 (the lowest he said he is willing to go)?
I can get an XT/XTR hardtail with a SID new for that kind of money? Can you recommend a model?
Would you say the bike would be a decent deal at $1500 (the lowest he said he is willing to go)?
I can get an XT/XTR hardtail with a SID new for that kind of money? Can you recommend a model?
Rodney Strong
06-16-08, 04:34 PM
Thanks a lot for the help.
Would you say the bike would be a decent deal at $1500 (the lowest he said he is willing to go)?
I can get an XT/XTR hardtail with a SID new for that kind of money? Can you recommend a model?http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/mountain_hardtail/8_series/8000/
Not quite a sid, but here is a brand new bike that you could probably get for $100 to $150 more than the used DeVinci. Most Trek Dealers will sell their bikes for less than MRSP. With a new bike you get a warranty, plus some free servicing and.............a bike that fits you.
Would you say the bike would be a decent deal at $1500 (the lowest he said he is willing to go)?
I can get an XT/XTR hardtail with a SID new for that kind of money? Can you recommend a model?http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/mountain_hardtail/8_series/8000/
Not quite a sid, but here is a brand new bike that you could probably get for $100 to $150 more than the used DeVinci. Most Trek Dealers will sell their bikes for less than MRSP. With a new bike you get a warranty, plus some free servicing and.............a bike that fits you.
zlr101
06-17-08, 11:29 AM
I just picked up a 2002 cannondale f2000sx same xt xtr setup, slightly more used but in good working order for 600. 2008 stumpjumper disc goes for about 1700 but most are 15-20% off and brand new. it looks like it might be as old as 2000 and the orginal price of $2000 i would stay away unless he can do $1200
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