Advice on frame size for MTB

(Treck543) said:

I'm planning to by a new MTB (for mixed use) and hesitate between a
19'' and a 21'' frame size. My height is 181cm and my inseam length is
83cm. According to the manufacturer, the correct frame size for my
*height* is 21''. According to online tables based on *inseam length*,
the correct frame size is 19''. I test-rided both bike and feel more
confortable on the 21'' because of its overall reach. On the other
hand, I have very little "free space" between my legs when standing
over the bike. This is better with the 19'' but the overall reach is a
little too short. This could possibly be extended with a longer stem
and adjusting seatpost position. I'm a little concerned it might
negatively affect the bike's riding behavour, though.

What frame size do you recommend me, 19'' or 21''? Is one size clearly
more appropriate?

I'm 186cm and ride a 19" Specialized Enduro for mixed off road use. If
I were on a bike with a straight top tube, I'd get a 17". If you need
the longer reach of the 21" bike, get a longer stem or look to a
manufacturer with longer top tubes on smaller size frames. You
probably won't notice a stem increase of 20mm in the handling, though
much more than that slows the steering; this may or may not be a good
thing.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

(Treck543) said:

I'm planning to by a new MTB (for mixed use) and hesitate between a
19'' and a 21'' frame size. My height is 181cm and my inseam length is
83cm. According to the manufacturer, the correct frame size for my
*height* is 21''. According to online tables based on *inseam length*,
the correct frame size is 19''. I test-rided both bike and feel more
confortable on the 21'' because of its overall reach. On the other
hand, I have very little "free space" between my legs when standing
over the bike. This is better with the 19'' but the overall reach is a
little too short. This could possibly be extended with a longer stem
and adjusting seatpost position. I'm a little concerned it might
negatively affect the bike's riding behavour, though.

What frame size do you recommend me, 19'' or 21''? Is one size clearly
more appropriate?

It all depends on the type of riding you'll be doing with the bike,
and the other setup items (saddle setback, stem length, etc.).

To give you a comparison, I ride my MTB on difficult, steep terrain
and on the road. It would be virtually impossible to set the bike up
so that the position was perfect for both types of riding - one or the
other has to be compromised. In this case, I choose to have a
slightly shorter "cockpit length" than ideal for the road so I can
have better off-road handling. If I were to use the bike exclusively
on the road, or on smooth fire trails, I'd opt for a larger frame.

I'm 178mm (5'10"😉 with an inseam of 84cm (33"😉. I ride a 17" frame
that fits me perfectly for "real MTBing".

However, my frames are measured center to top (of the top tube). 21"
sounds FAR too big for you if the frames you're looking at are
measured the same way. My guess is that they're measured to the top
of the seat tube - a nonsensical way to measure a frame, IMHO.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $695 ti frame

Treck543 said:

I'm planning to by a new MTB (for mixed use) and hesitate between a
19'' and a 21'' frame size. My height is 181cm and my inseam length is
83cm. According to the manufacturer, the correct frame size for my
*height* is 21''. According to online tables based on *inseam length*,
the correct frame size is 19''. I test-rided both bike and feel more
confortable on the 21'' because of its overall reach.

(snip)

You've answered your own question. Hopefully, you'll spend more time
riding on the bike than standing over it.

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

[email hidden] (Treck543) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm planning to by a new MTB (for mixed use) and hesitate between a
19'' and a 21'' frame size. My height is 181cm and my inseam length is
83cm. According to the manufacturer, the correct frame size for my
*height* is 21''. According to online tables based on *inseam length*,
the correct frame size is 19''. I test-rided both bike and feel more
confortable on the 21'' because of its overall reach. On the other
hand, I have very little "free space" between my legs when standing
over the bike. This is better with the 19'' but the overall reach is a
little too short. This could possibly be extended with a longer stem
and adjusting seatpost position. I'm a little concerned it might
negatively affect the bike's riding behavour, though.

What frame size do you recommend me, 19'' or 21''? Is one size clearly
more appropriate?

I'm similar size, 180 cm height, 85 cm inseam. 5'11" height, 33.5"
inseam. I bought a Raleigh mountain bike a few years ago. 20" frame
size. M600 I believe is the model. It fits perfectly for paved road
riding or converting into a touring bike or use on hard packed flat
trails. Reach is ideal with a 140mm 10 degree stem and slight riser
bars. However, the bike is too big for real mountain biking where you
have to dismount to get around obstacles or throw the bike around.
I'm guessing this is what real mountain biking is. For real mountain
biking, I would need the 18" frame size, and a longer stem to get the
reach. So your choice is whether you want a bike for real mountain
biking or one for all around use. For me they do not equal the same
size mountain bike frame.

Treck543 said:

I'm planning to by a new MTB (for mixed use) and hesitate between a
19'' and a 21'' frame size. My height is 181cm and my inseam length is
83cm. According to the manufacturer, the correct frame size for my
*height* is 21''. According to online tables based on *inseam length*,
the correct frame size is 19''. I test-rided both bike and feel more
confortable on the 21'' because of its overall reach. On the other
hand, I have very little "free space" between my legs when standing
over the bike. This is better with the 19'' but the overall reach is a
little too short. This could possibly be extended with a longer stem
and adjusting seatpost position. I'm a little concerned it might
negatively affect the bike's riding behavour, though.

What frame size do you recommend me, 19'' or 21''? Is one size clearly
more appropriate?

Top tube length is more important. Do you feel stretched or squashed?
Most modern MTBs will have huge nad-to-top tube clearance.

Hi and thank you all for your useful answers.

"Zog The Undeniable" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Top tube length is more important. Do you feel stretched or squashed?

I feel nicely stretched on the 21'' and little squashed on the 19'' :o)

Quoted message said:

Most modern MTBs will have huge nad-to-top tube clearance.

This is unfortunatly not the case with the MTB I have in sight. This is also
the main reason I am considering the smaller frame size. My feeling is I'll
take the smaller frame size (19''😉 and adjust the stem and seatpost a
little. As Russel indicated in the posting above, the 19'' is probably a
good size for "trail" biking whereas the 21'' would have been better for
"road/racing" biking.

Greetings
Treck

Treck543 said:

I'm planning to by a new MTB (for mixed use) and hesitate between a
19'' and a 21'' frame size. My height is 181cm and my inseam length is
83cm. According to the manufacturer, the correct frame size for my
*height* is 21''. According to online tables based on *inseam length*,
the correct frame size is 19''. I test-rided both bike and feel more
confortable on the 21'' because of its overall reach. On the other
hand, I have very little "free space" between my legs when standing
over the bike. This is better with the 19'' but the overall reach is a
little too short. This could possibly be extended with a longer stem
and adjusting seatpost position. I'm a little concerned it might
negatively affect the bike's riding behavour, though.

What frame size do you recommend me, 19'' or 21''? Is one size clearly
more appropriate?

21" for off-road is huge for someone 5'11" (if I'm converting right).

I'm 6'2", ride frames that are from 19" to 21.5". The larger frame has
dropbars and is ridden on trails and roads where I don't have to get on and
off alot.

Greg

On Sun, 2 May 2004 00:40:42 +0200, "Michael T." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi and thank you all for your useful answers.

"Zog The Undeniable" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Top tube length is more important. Do you feel stretched or squashed?

I feel nicely stretched on the 21'' and little squashed on the 19'' :o)

Quoted message said:

Most modern MTBs will have huge nad-to-top tube clearance.

This is unfortunatly not the case with the MTB I have in sight. This is also
the main reason I am considering the smaller frame size. My feeling is I'll
take the smaller frame size (19''😉 and adjust the stem and seatpost a
little. As Russel indicated in the posting above, the 19'' is probably a
good size for "trail" biking whereas the 21'' would have been better for
"road/racing" biking.

Greetings
Treck

Seriously, if you need the 21, or more than 120mm stem on the 19, to
get the reach right, you should be looking elsewhere, because whatever
you're looking at obviously has too short a top tube. Bear in mind
that I'm 2" taller than you, and my singlespeed frame is just 14".
With a 420mm seatpost and a 120mm 5 degree stem, this makes a good
fast XC ride.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

"Kinky Cowboy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sun, 2 May 2004 00:40:42 +0200, "Michael T." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi and thank you all for your useful answers.

"Zog The Undeniable" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Top tube length is more important. Do you feel stretched or squashed?

I feel nicely stretched on the 21'' and little squashed on the 19'' :o)

Quoted message said:

Most modern MTBs will have huge nad-to-top tube clearance.

This is unfortunatly not the case with the MTB I have in sight. This is

also

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the main reason I am considering the smaller frame size. My feeling is

I'll

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

take the smaller frame size (19''😉 and adjust the stem and seatpost a
little. As Russel indicated in the posting above, the 19'' is probably a
good size for "trail" biking whereas the 21'' would have been better for
"road/racing" biking.

Greetings
Treck

Seriously, if you need the 21, or more than 120mm stem on the 19, to
get the reach right, you should be looking elsewhere, because whatever
you're looking at obviously has too short a top tube. Bear in mind
that I'm 2" taller than you, and my singlespeed frame is just 14".
With a 420mm seatpost and a 120mm 5 degree stem, this makes a good
fast XC ride.

You're 6'1" and you ride a bike that's only 1/2" taller than my penis size?
With a 5 degree stem? With only a 420mm seatpost? That sounds painful.

Greg

On Sun, 02 May 2004 18:45:59 GMT, "G.T." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You're 6'1" and you ride a bike that's only 1/2" taller than my penis size?
With a 5 degree stem? With only a 420mm seatpost? That sounds painful.

Greg

No, I said 14(fourteen) inches, not 1.4(one point four)

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

Kinky Cowboy said:

On Sun, 02 May 2004 18:45:59 GMT, "G.T." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

You're 6'1" and you ride a bike that's only 1/2" taller than my penis size?
With a 5 degree stem? With only a 420mm seatpost? That sounds painful.

Greg

No, I said 14(fourteen) inches, not 1.4(one point four)

I know what you said. And it still sounds painful.

Greg

On Sun, 02 May 2004 18:45:59 GMT, "G.T." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You're 6'1" and you ride a bike that's only 1/2" taller than my penis size?
With a 5 degree stem? With only a 420mm seatpost? That sounds painful.

Greg

No, I said 14(fourteen) inches, not 1.4(one point four)

14" frame with 420mm USE seatpost gives me 730mm BB to top of saddle
and 550mm from saddle nose to bar clamp. My XC race bike is a Large
size Specialized Enduro, 760mm BB to top of saddle and 550mm saddle
nose to bar clamp with a 50mm stem. My TT bike is 780mm BB to top of
saddle. Sitting 2" lower on my off road play bike than I do on my TT
bike seems about right, and a very long way from painful in either
direction.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary