Mountain Biking - Bike Size

I'm 5'7, what size bike should I be riding? Last bike I bought, I don't know what the size was, but I could never get comfortable. I ended up having to have the seat always jacked up so high, or else it would cramp my knees badly. I'm thinking about 17" would be about ideal? Or atleast somewhere aroudn there? Should I test ride a few sizes, or is it just kind of a normal height to size ratio thing? I've heard varying opinions on this.

There really isn't a tried and true measurment for mtbikes (if anyone says there is one method they are smoking funny stuff). However since you are commuting and some xc 16 or 17in will be fine.

Definately test them first.

There really isn't a tried and true measurment for mtbikes (if anyone says there is one method they are smoking funny stuff
Definately test them first.

I agree... a 17 inch sounds about right, however if you don't test it out, you'll never know for sure. Different companies use different size measurements, so try it out first... thats the only way to know for sure

Ok. The right size, how will I know what it is? I should be able to stand straddling the bar without hurting my boys? As well as my legs while peddling should go into a locked position on the downward thrust? Something like that?

Haha...this is where it gets complicated. I like my bikes to fit small. Longish toptube but short (protects the boys and allows me to get my butt over the rear tire). But thats my preference...you really need to just ride a couple and figure out exactly what you like. You will know when you find one that fits.

Oh and everyone just hops on and rides around. Practice moving around on the bike. Putting your butt back, bringing your body forward...each bike is balanced differently..

Thanks, I'll remember that. I don't want to try anything that I would normally do to test balance and stuff, incase I fall and wreck the bike... or scratch it or something and then find out that it wasn't the bike for me in the first place.

I'm 5'7, what size bike should I be riding? Last bike I bought, I don't know what the size was, but I could never get comfortable. I ended up having to have the seat always jacked up so high, or else it would cramp my knees badly. I'm thinking about 17" would be about ideal? Or atleast somewhere aroudn there? Should I test ride a few sizes, or is it just kind of a normal height to size ratio thing? I've heard varying opinions on this.

17/18"kona, 16"gt, 18"trek, 16"bianchi, All fit me, but Main thing is to have standover height, which then means long seat tube, and possibly longer bar stem. Smaller frames are easier to set up, easier to throw around, are stiffer, ride better, lighter, and don't get in the way of the vitals. Don,t be worried about too small a frame

What is your inseam measurerment?