Mountain Bike Frame size

David said:

I thought I'd ask here what to look for in frame sizing ? The Kraken
is available in 3 frame sizes, 16", 18" and 20" and I'm 5'8" tall
with a 30" inside leg if anyone is prepared to take a guess at a frame
size starting point.

Crossbar lower than your tender bits.
This is technically called 'stand-over height'.
Have a look at the bikes - I'd say the 20" is probably too big,
as I'm a similar size to you.

in message <[email hidden]>, David

(') said:

Hi,

I'm considering buying a Carrera Kraken SE and I want to know what
frame size to get. I will obviously go down to Halfords to try one on
but i.m.e. the quality of advice in a chain store can vary greatly so
I thought I'd ask here what to look for in frame sizing ? The Kraken
is available in 3 frame sizes, 16", 18" and 20" and I'm 5'8" tall
with a 30" inside leg if anyone is prepared to take a guess at a frame
size starting point.

Mountain bike frame geometry varies greatly from manufacturer to
manufacturer, so just because a 20" bike in one manufacturer's range
fits you doesn't mean a 20" in another manufacturer's range will. You
really do have to sit on the bike and see.

I'd *guess* you should start with the middle sized frame since you are
of middling height, but unless you sit on them you won't really know.
With the seat adjusted so that with your leg straight you can rest your
heel on the pedal[1], is the reach comfortable to the bars? If so,
fine. If it's too short, you need a bigger frame; too long, you need a
smaller one. You can make small adjustments with different stem lengths
and by moving the saddle forward or back a little on its rails, but
essentially the right size frame is the one which feels most
comfortable when the seat is at the right height.

[1] With a mountain bike you may feel safer if you can get both tip-toes
on the ground at the same time, but your pedalling will usually be more
comfortable and more powerful with your saddle a little higher than
that.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Diplomacy, American: see Intelligence, Military

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

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I'm considering buying a Carrera Kraken SE and I want to know what
frame size to get. I will obviously go down to Halfords to try one on
but i.m.e. the quality of advice in a chain store can vary greatly so
I thought I'd ask here what to look for in frame sizing ? The Kraken
is available in 3 frame sizes, 16", 18" and 20" and I'm 5'8" tall
with a 30" inside leg if anyone is prepared to take a guess at a frame
size starting point.

Do you mean 30" as for trousers or 30" ground to crotch?

Assuming ground to crotch deduct 12" for bottom bracket height = 18" then
deduct another minimum 3" for 'nad clearance which means you need a 15"
frame.
This assumes a parralel top tube, if it slopes imagine a virtual top tube
running from the present point on the head tube to the seat tube. It also
assumes the bottom bracket is 12" high so again check this.

EG I have a 33" inside leg, floor to crotch and ride an 18" sloping tube
Marin and 18" horizontal tubed Trek.

But the bottom line is sit on it and ideally ride it at least around the car
park.

Regards,
Pete

David said:

Hi,

I'm considering buying a Carrera Kraken SE and I want to know what
frame size to get. I will obviously go down to Halfords to try one on
but i.m.e. the quality of advice in a chain store can vary greatly so
I thought I'd ask here what to look for in frame sizing ? The Kraken
is available in 3 frame sizes, 16", 18" and 20" and I'm 5'8" tall
with a 30" inside leg if anyone is prepared to take a guess at a frame
size starting point.

Thanks,

David

I'd say get the 16" or 18" frame, 20" will be too big for you. Only real way
to know though is to try the bike out. I bought a Hardrock recently,
Specialized's website advised a 15" frame for my height but I found a 17"
frame more suitable for me. Try and visit a big Halfords store so that you
can test ride the bike. If you can't stand over the frame's top tube without
it touching your crotch then it's probably too big. Don't worry if you can't
touch the ground while sitting on the saddle.

--

Burning_Ranger

To email: [email hidden]

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

Quoted message said:

If you can't stand over the frame's top tube without
it touching your crotch then it's probably too big. Don't worry if you

can't

Quoted message said:

touch the ground while sitting on the saddle.

If it touches your crotch it's_definately_too_big!
For any trail riding, let alone serious mountain biking you need at least 3"
clearance.
You don't want to find out why the first time you need to put your foot down
in a hurry on uneven ground :-(

Pete