Mountain Biking - Frame size?

I was just wondering what size frame I should get, and how they are measured...

I'm 5'11".

Is the frame size measured as the length of the Top frame bar?

19-20"

It depends on too many factors including riding style, bike geometry, etc...

I'm 6'1" and have MTBs ranging from 16" to 21" that all fit me.

What kind of other factors?

And, how is it measured?

I'm 6' and ride a 17". Just go try some bikes out. That is your best bet. All makers' measurement and geometry systems vary so the only way to know for sure is to ride 'em.

The measurement is based on seat tube length but it's not a good indicator of fit.

Go ride a bunch of bikes to see what you feel most comfortable on.

19-20"

:eek: You are joking.......................right?

There is no infalible theory or rule. Whatever feels good is your size.

Ricardo

Once again, you're being sarcastic without any explanation. And this time, not only does your opinion differ, but it's completely wrong.

I'm just shy of 6'. It says 5'11 on my driver's license.

My first mtn bike purchased in 1995 -> 19" Hardrock sport
My first real mtn bike purchased in late 96 -> 19" Stumpjumper M2 FS
A bunch of full suspension frames purchased in the late 90s early 2000s -> "Large" or "L/XL"
Road bike purchased in 2004 -> 57cm
Giant Reign purchased 2 months ago -> 20"

The Hardrock and the road bike were both sized with the assistance of LBS owners and were spot on. The Giant came in 18", 20", and 22". Being a compact FS frame, the 20" was the perfect size. 18" was too cramped for climbing.

So mtnbiker66... why do you tell everyone how tall you are and what size frames you ride?

Read my first post...then you will understand where 66 is coming from. You can't tell anyone of a given height what size bike they need within a couple of inches without knowing anything else about the rider or the bikes they are looking at. And even then, there is so much variability between manufacturers and models that you can't compare sizes directly.

You are correct, you can't tell exactly what size they need, but it is a good starting point. The OP asked a question, and some other people gave him answers.

But 66 and other a-holes seem to enjoy giving people NO answers.

For some reason, he thinks that a 19/20 is not the right size for someone who's 5'11. I can only conclude that he's a chimp with a huge torso and stubby arms and legs.

For all we know, the OP could have short legs and a long torso. If he gets advice like 19-20" and goes and buys one of that size, he will have a less than enjoyable experience on the bike.

66's post is likely more helpful than someone simply posting 19-20" without qualifying anything...at least 66's post casts some doubt on the recommendation and therefore the OP may be more likely to try a few different sizes.

You are correct, you can't tell exactly what size they need, but it is a good starting point. The OP asked a question, and some other people gave him answers.

But 66 and other a-holes seem to enjoy giving people NO answers.




Is that the best you can come up with? I bet you can do better if you try. What kind of terrain do you ride?

It really does depend on the manufacturer and how they set up their geometry. The mix between comfort, efficiency and handling is one that can only be handled with test riding multiple bikes, and a willingness to tinker with small aspects of your position once you have a baseline, such as your stem length, stem height, saddle set-back (if any) and even cleat placement (if you are using a clipless system). Personally, I started mountain biking years ago on a 17" frame with a 150mm stem and have "progressed" to a 19" Trek frame with a 120mm stem, which I feel distributes my weight better and gives me more predictable handling. I'm 5' 9" by the way. This being said, my frame's particular top tube length pairs well with the stem length I'm using. This is my current set-up (I'm running the stem all the way down now however):
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1234/849775248_a9561915a9.jpg

Like many of the previous posts, ride a bunch of bikes...buy the one that fit's the best for what you are going to use it for out of the box and go from there. Cheers!!!!

Prove me wrong with some pics.

I'll need to drive down to the nursing home and get her out of her wheelchair.

Jennifer's in a wheelchair? Since when?

It's a loooooong story.It all started with a mtnbike ride gone wrong.

This thread is awesome.

This thread is awesome.

Don't ya think?:roflmao:

I am 5'1" with a 34" inseam. I ride a 23" frame. Is that wrong?

I am 5'1" with a 34" inseam. I ride a 23" frame. Is that wrong?

Sounds perfect going by to this thread.Stretch out and ride on.

try the bike, if it feels, good, great. norco has some frames that are 13" all sizes, but the top tube gets longer. have fun

I was just wondering what size frame I should get, and how they are measured...

I'm 5'11".

Is the frame size measured as the length of the Top frame bar?You might want to read this: http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

I am 5'1" with a 34" inseam. I ride a 23" frame. Is that wrong?

You must be ALL legs... I'm 5'7 with a 29" inseam... and I ride a 15.5" frame...
It is not just your inseam... your torso length, you arm length.... ALL play into a good bike fit..
ARE you comfortable on the bike.. OR is your upper back really tired.. at the end of a ride....
If you have a sore neck, sore upper back... IT may not be you inseam length.. but the
length between the seat and the handle bars....

There are several really bacis bike fit sits.... just google bike fit... OR go to your LBS and have them measure you....

You must be ALL legs... I'm 5'7 with a 29" inseam... and I ride a 15.5" frame...
It is not just your inseam... your torso length, you arm length.... ALL play into a good bike fit..
ARE you comfortable on the bike.. OR is your upper back really tired.. at the end of a ride....
If you have a sore neck, sore upper back... IT may not be you inseam length.. but the
length between the seat and the handle bars....

There are several really bacis bike fit sits.... just google bike fit... OR go to your LBS and have them measure you....

I have a very short torso, as you can imagine. And short arms. I have a long stem turned backwards so that I can reach the bars. Do you think that this is bad/dangerous? I also have bar ends pointed back towards me so that I can reach the bars easier.

I have a very short torso, as you can imagine. And short arms. I have a long stem turned backwards so that I can reach the bars. Do you think that this is bad/dangerous? I also have bar ends pointed back towards me so that I can reach the bars easier.

Wow................................

Let's see the pics!

Let's see the pics!

http://www.kidsdinos.com/images/dinosaurs/Carnotaurus1140740497.jpg

http://www.kidsdinos.com/images/dinosaurs/Carnotaurus1140740497.jpg

Sweet.

Once again, you're being sarcastic without any explanation. And this time, not only does your opinion differ, but it's completely wrong.

I'm just shy of 6'. It says 5'11 on my driver's license.

My first mtn bike purchased in 1995 -> 19" Hardrock sport
My first real mtn bike purchased in late 96 -> 19" Stumpjumper M2 FS
A bunch of full suspension frames purchased in the late 90s early 2000s -> "Large" or "L/XL"
Road bike purchased in 2004 -> 57cm
Giant Reign purchased 2 months ago -> 20"

The Hardrock and the road bike were both sized with the assistance of LBS owners and were spot on. The Giant came in 18", 20", and 22". Being a compact FS frame, the 20" was the perfect size. 18" was too cramped for climbing.

So mtnbiker66... why do you tell everyone how tall you are and what size frames you ride?


Well for starters, your height has nothing to do with your frame size, its your leg inseam.

Well for starters, I don't GARA what you say.

Right... absolutely nothing. No correlation between height and leg inseam. Because a large % of the population look like disproportionate weirdos with appendages so far out of whack that you can't even make a ballpark guess. Good. You win.

A large population looks like disproportionate weirdos when they ride around with seats on super extended seat posts sticking up their ass on a bike that does not fit them, mainly because, 1. They used their height (and not inseam) to choose the frame size, and 2., They made a decision on their bike before test riding it.

You must not know a lot about what your talking about if you say that people have to be 'weirdos' to choose a frame size based on their inseam, you don't seem to understand every single person who rides a bike has a differently constructed body. Your height as one variable alone, really means not a lot when it comes to choosing the correct frame size.

Male organ size X three. my frame should have been 33 inches ,so I went with 19, closest size they had

Male organ size X three. my frame should have been 33 inches ,so I went with 19, closest size they had

Wow, you need to go see a doctor. Your prostate is way too big.