Specialized 21"

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by uphillrider
I am 6'3" and I am looking at a specialized hardrock sport as a cheap starter, the biggest size is 21", has anyone else got one this size who are my height and do they think its the right size for their height.

It's not just about height. There is bike inseam and upper body proportions.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by uphillrider
I am 6'3" and I am looking at a specialized hardrock sport as a cheap starter, the biggest size is 21", has anyone else got one this size who are my height and do they think its the right size for their height.

As mentioned above there are several things that can/do effect the "size" or fit of a bike the frame size being the most(?) obvious or recognized perhaps. As far as for beginners the "easiest" place to start with is likely the frame size (like you mentioned). Obviously, a 21" bike is pretty big (they get bigger though). Just being 6'3" doesn't mean you need to get the biggest frame a manufacturer makes. I'm 6'3" and my latest bike is an 18" (Heckler). I also have a 19" (xc hardtail) and rode a 20" heckler for years (it's dead now).

You can play with stem length, seat location, crank length, etc to arrive with a "perfect fit" on a properly sized frame. Perhaps the best way for most of us to go about it is to ride several sizes of the same/similar rigs and take copious notes on what was different, good, bad about each change in size. My preference is for riding that is going to be straight xc then a larger frame with a bit of a longer stem will "keep" me in a more climbing/hammering friendly position. For more "whatever" or FR riding then I choose the smaller one which allows me to move all over the bike and do the adjusting of my positions at will and doesn't really pre-set me into any position. More and more (80%) I have been choosing the smaller bike for my riding, straight xc or not. Anyway, I'm rambling.

Ride several sizes of the bike you think you'll like and you can "adjust" minor things with some of the earlier mentioned ideas. My "personal" thoughts would be to NOT get a 21" bike if you are planning on using it for real mountain biking. Around town or paths it would be OK, but on the trail your options for body positions (maintaining traction, balance, etc) would be more limited than on a 19" or...? Certainly seek the advice of a tech at your LBS for proper fit and set-up. Good luck and have fun riding.

K.

Cheers for that, I was getting bogged down with it all but that has made it a lot clearer.

Well, im 6'4 and just got a 23" specialized Rockhopper, The reason for a bigger frame is so you can stretch your legs out longer to get more power when your pedal. I think you should get a 23" as well, For me its much more comfortable, then having my leg jammed up in my chest ( as with my trick bikes for the most part, a bit exaggerated). But if stand - up more often than sitting, it should be better to get a smaller bike so you dont have a bar praticlayy up your ass (also exaggerated) and alows for more movement when standing up. I am more of a sit down rider, and i pretty much let my gears do all the work, I have seen countless of people who just keep there gear on the same thing, up, and downhill, wich is mainly the stand-up riders, because gearing while standing up isnt the safest thing to do. So i sit down most of the time, so i dont have to keep standing up and sitting down every time i want to change gears.

So basicly it comes out to, are you going to stand up more, or sit?

i'm 6' and i ride a 21" specialized hard rock comp. fits me just great if not a little too big, so it may be perfect for you

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Metalheadbiker
I am more of a sit down rider, and i pretty much let my gears do all the work, I have seen countless of people who just keep there gear on the same thing, up, and downhill, wich is mainly the stand-up riders, because gearing while standing up isnt the safest thing to do. So i sit down most of the time, so i dont have to keep standing up and sitting down every time i want to change gears.

Why is shifting gears while standing up a bad thing? Wouldn't it be the same?

I suppose he is thinking about the extra pressure there is on the drive train when standing as apposed to sitting?????????

yea, if you shift standing up you have to remember to not put as much pressure on the crank, otherwise the chain will slip an [censored], and your foot will go down faster than usual and your foot will slip and it hurts somethimes