Mountain Biking - Bike sizes (esp kona)

After a fair few years of owning a marin hawk hill I've decided to get my self a nice new bike before my marin falls to bits (already trashed the wheels on it)

The marin is nice to ride and the size of it feels "OK". So lets assume i'm starting from scratch :)

I'm interested in the Kona stuff or scab (i'm indifferent about sus) as my riding is most likely to be street/freeride.

Now on to sizing..

I'm 6'1" with 35.5" inseam (yes long leg syndrome) and 24" arm length.

Kona sizing chart reckons i should have a 19" or 20" frame. The top tube on a 19" is 24" on the stuff & scab..(from the konaworld.com site).
Although If go to http://www.wrenchscience.com then I get recommended an overall reach (effective top tube + stem) of being 21.7" due to me having a short upper body. However it does still recommend a 20" frame. What gives???


I've found a 2001 stuff for a good price new but its 19" (XL in konas books) any one think that will be too big?

**edit: scrap that just phone the shop and they got non left. Looking towards this years stuff now

Peoples thoughts/advice please

I think formulae as to the 'right' size are fine as a guideline, but I'd want to sit on (or preferably test ride) the bikes. It's not just limb length that determines comfort, some people prefer a more stretched/upright position than others.

Richard

RichardD's comments on test riding is critical. It also depends on what type of riding you planning on doing.

For example, my XC bike is a Large, (I'm 6'0" and have a 30" inseam - Read "Long Torso"). It's great for all around riding and racing. However, my Bump&Jump Bike (that's what I call it anyways!) is a Specialized P.3 and the frame size is a small. It's great for getting off the back and handles very quickly! It handles well in the air and feels like an overgrown BMX bike!

If you are planning on riding it hard and using it for Urban Assault, I'd recommend the next size down than what you would ride XC with! The smaller frame will be stiffer, handle better and be better on rides where you're all over the bike. If you're using it for racing, you want to be more stretched out and in a more forward position for climbing!

Good Luck
L8R

Since you already have a bike which fits you well, you are not starting from scratch. If you like the reach of your current setup, then replicate that on your new bike. Konas can be a bit low in the front for some, so dont feel obliged to ride the Kona way.

I find the best way to measure a riding position is to take a reference point (ie the bottom bracket) and measure in X and Y from that position. Mark the top tube (masking tape) with a plumb line, then measure forward and back from that to the saddle nose, and the bars. (This assumes use of the same sized cranks in your new bike).

Simple measurement of top tube length does not account for seat tube angle or saddle layback.

Cheers for the help guys, anymore advice would be appreciated...

Still looking at scab with interest, going to trawl round bike shops in a day or 2. Halfords (*shudder* uk peeps will know what i mean ;) ) can get me a 18" scab 2001 for £449 which i think is a good deal. They havn't got an 18" in they would have to order it though and hence can't try it.

Was thinking this bike would be a good base to start maybe upgrade some bits on it.

Can anyone else think of any other bikes along the same lines as the scab stuff? say in the £500 - £700 bracket.

Hi Comet! :)

I ride a Kona which is 18" and I'm 6ft with a 32" inside leg. It fits me pretty well, but I could go to a 19" without many problems. My mate also rides a Kona which is 21", but he's 6ft 5".

As Rich says above, ride the bike to see what you think...if your riding Street then my advice would be to go for something smaller than you'd normally ride, so in this case an 18"...

I was never really impressed with Halfords myself, but the new Halfords BikeHut shops are pretty cool, and I got really good service out of them.

In the price range you're looking at, there's a good selection of bikes around.....have you looked at the Trek bikes.....their jump bike looked pretty cool, and got an excellent rating in MBUK.

Second hand bikes might also be a consideration...

Good luck in your choice

Rich :)