Mountain Biking - Frame Size Survey

Hi MTBers,

I know that the best way to determine frame size is to ride the bikes you're considering buying. But when you can't ride them, and just have to choose based on your experience, that's where I am, and I suspect many of us are.

I have a 19'' hardtail and a 19'' ds and have demoed 14'' thru 18'' hardtails and find them all to be okay. (I'm 5'10.5'' tall with a 31'' inseam.) The 19'' mtbs are a bit big for me, and I notice little difference with the 17'' and 18'' mtbs. So I'm focusing on a 15'' or 16'', basically a small size, depending on how the particular manufacturer sizes them. A 17'' or 18'' (medium size) is what convential views indicate I should ride. But I feel that a small size will allow me to throw it around easier by being able to position farther fore and aft.

My survey questions are:
1. Who went with a smaller size mtb (for your height) and are you satisfied with your mtb? Why?

2. Who went with a regular size mtb (for your height) and are you satisfied with your mtb? Why?

3. Who went with a larger size mtb (for your height) and are you satisfied with your mtb? Why?

Any other thoughts on frame size are appreciated also. Thanks.

actually i got my bike LBS to take my mesuarments.. then i got them to give me a range of frames that would fit me.. so i guess i used a regular sized frame.. and i must say its most comfortable when the bike fits you properly..

i'm exactly the same as you, with a 19" hardrock, but it's a-o-k for me

1. Who went with a smaller size mtb (for your height) and are you satisfied with your mtb? Why?
I'm 5'5 (approx, about 168 cm) and I went with a 15" Hardrock. Why you ask? Because although the 17" felt a tiny bit better, the salesguy reccomended me to get the 15" frame because it would be better for the intended use (freeride). It had better handling and felt easier to ride. One day after I was already loving the 15", and it's great to have a small and nimble bike. Only problem is, slowly but steadily I'm growing and so will become too small faster than the 17", but I think I'll live. ;) Some of the trails I ride right now, I can't imagine going down on a 17", let alone a 19" frame.

the salesguy reccomended me to get the 15" frame because it would be better for the intended use (freeride). .

Freeride on a hardrock? errmmmmmmm...... :eek:

Freeride on a hardrock? errmmmmmmm...... :eek:
It's not my fault my budget is low. :lol: If I could get a job I'd upgrade the frame and fork but since I can't, I won't change frame for a while.

I'd upgrade the frame and fork but since I can't, I won't change frame for a while.

Don't worry about it - gravity and physics will change it for you if you really plan on freeriding with a stock Hardrock.

Don't worry about it - gravity and physics will change it for you if you really plan on freeriding with a stock Hardrock.
:roflmao: Thanks for the moral support. ;) As for "stock", nope. I've upgraded the crankset & pedals, which was an obvious weaklink, and I'm also changing the wheelset aswell as adding disc brakes, and a fork change is planned somewhere in the future.

Hey, I just don't want you wrecking a really nice frame by doing something that it was not intended to handle.

Hey, I just don't want you wrecking a really nice frame by doing something that it was not intended to handle.
I don't want to either, but the frame is very strong, and I think I'll break first before my frame goes, so I wouldn't worry too much. ;)

15/16" sounds small for your height but what type of riding will you be doing?

I'm 5'9" and 31.5 inseam. I ride a 20" XC (50 mm stem) and 15" AM.

My survey questions are:
1. Who went with a smaller size mtb (for your height) and are you satisfied with your mtb? Why?

2. Who went with a regular size mtb (for your height) and are you satisfied with your mtb? Why?

3. Who went with a larger size mtb (for your height) and are you satisfied with your mtb? Why?

Any other thoughts on frame size are appreciated also. Thanks.

Depends on the bike, I am 6'2" with a 34 1/4 inseam.

My XC bike is just right, 19" frame w/a long top tube. I like it on the larger side for better climbing and more comfort on long rides.

My DH bike is the perfect size, medium frame, it is the same hight as a large but has a shorter toptube so I have better control.

My freeride/trail bike is on the smaller side, 17" frame, because it gives me better control over technical terrain, easier to jump and I can ride very tight section easier.

if you can't ride the bike you want to buy, ride a bike similar to it, so you can get a feel for whats good for you. i went to my LBS and the measured me for a bike, and i rode their recomended size and felt overwhelmed, so i tryed a few more. When i found the bruiser it suited my riding style and fit like a glove to me. now the bike i ride for long distances is a 19" or 20" pre-sell out schwinn mountain bike, and for the fun riding i got the 13.5" Trek Bruiser 1 and i love it

15/16" sounds small for your height but what type of riding will you be doing?
Hi Never,

Technical trails and downhill. Your thoughts?

Hi Never,

Technical trails and downhill. Your thoughts?
I think your best bet would be a 17".