Mountain Biking - 18" Frame...is it too big for me? Please Help

Hi, I am a newbie to this forum. My name is Ashley and I'm 15 and 5'7 1/2" tall. A friend of mine is going to give me his bike. It is a Trek 3700 and it is an 18" frame. Is this too big for me? My inseam is about 30. I know I should be sized etc., but it's a free bike and I was just wondering if I should even take it. The reason I don't just go over there is b/c he lives a few states away. I want to be sure it'll be alright before he drives it over for me.

Thanks all and I'm glad to be here!

Hi, I am a newbie to this forum. My name is Ashley and I'm 15 and 5'7 1/2" tall. A friend of mine is going to give me his bike. It is a Trek 3700 and it is an 18" frame. Is this too big for me? My inseam is about 30. I know I should be sized etc., but it's a free bike and I was just wondering if I should even take it. The reason I don't just go over there is b/c he lives a few states away. I want to be sure it'll be alright before he drives it over for me.

Thanks all and I'm glad to be here!
I'd suggest finding a bike shop near you and asking if you could test ride a Trek 3700 18" to see if it fits, hopefully you have an LBS (local bike shop) relatively near you. :)
Good luck

Thanks for your quick reply. Could someone please just tell me in general though would an 18" bike be too big for me? 5'7 1/2" I'm at school right now and wanted to let him know later on today. I won't have time to go to a bike store today. Average 18" bike, average 5' 7 1/2" tall girl, 30" inseam. Ok? in general?

Thanks!

Thanks for your quick reply. Could someone please just tell me in general though would an 18" bike be too big for me? 5'7 1/2" I'm at school right now and wanted to let him know later on today. I won't have time to go to a bike store today. Average 18" bike, average 5' 7 1/2" tall girl, 30" inseam. Ok? in general?

Thanks!
I'm not really sure but I just want to say that I ride a 15" Hardrock at 5'4" and 95lbs (no idea of my inseam ;)). It's a bit small but I like it because for the stuff I do I prefer it to have it slightly smaller than you'd size a trailbike. I'd say 18" might be too big but I think this comes down to opinions.

According to TREK's website http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Hardtail/Alpha_Aluminum/3700/index.php, the standover height on that is 29.4. Now this height is based on running stock tires. Running smaller tires, will slightly affect the height, but then you sacrifice pedal clearance.

My wife is 5' 8" and rides an 18" bike (not the same model as this but a close stand over height). It might be just slightly to tall for you as the stand over of that bike is 29.4 inches (according to the Trek website) and you have a 30 inseam. Generally you want 1" - 2" of clearance. I would suspect you would be fine on that bike though just based on what my wife has.

If you have long legs then 18" frame is just right for your height :)

If you're 15, and 5'7, you will probably grow into it. Take it.

Also keep in mind that the top tube is probably sloped downwards from the Headtube to the seat and that the 18" frame measurement is probably based on some sort of virtual measurement point and may not actually be the height of the top tube. In reality it will probably give you an inch or two of clearance. Plus it is free. Never turn down a free bike!!! You can always strip it for parts! Ha Ha!

If you have time, you should check out the geometry of the frame to find out what the standover height is.
I'm 5'8" and I ride a bike with a 31.1" standover height.
The frame may be a little big for you now, but in a couple of years you should grow into it.

If you're 15, and 5'7, you will probably grow into it. Take it.


Seconded. Have fun with it! ;)