Mountain Biking - The Fit

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NewBike
06-07-04, 06:54 AM
Hi folks,

In the market for a new bike. I'm trying to decide how big it should be. I'm about 6'2" (a little less); my last bike was a 21" Jamis Diablo...not-too-aggressive Mt. Bike frame, no suspension. I liked it, but I thought it was probably a little bigger than I needed. I tried out some bikes yesterday, and found myself liking a 19.5" Fisher. I even thought an 18" Fisher felt pretty good. With the 18" I had the seatpost at maximum extension, but it felt pretty good. A smaller frame seemed easier to control, and a bit lighter. But that was just a really short test drive...I wonder if I'd regret the smaller frames down the road.

I'll be riding on roads and doing some fairly non-technical trail stuff. I like the MTB geometry; it feels good to me.

Thanks,
Jim

a2psyklnut
06-07-04, 01:32 PM
Test ride them each again. If you're going to ride predominantly on the road or easier trails, you'll probably be better off with the larger frame. If your riding contains a lot of tight technical trails, with some jumps thrown in for good measure, stick with the smaller frame.

I used to race BMX and as a result have always preferred a smaller frame, and a bit more aggressive style. So, I always felt too stretched out on frame sizes more "appropriate" to my body geometry.

It's all about what fits YOU!

L8R
Poor1
06-07-04, 02:31 PM
Test ride them each again. If you're going to ride predominantly on the road or easier trails, you'll probably be better off with the larger frame. If your riding contains a lot of tight technical trails, with some jumps thrown in for good measure, stick with the smaller frame.

I used to race BMX and as a result have always preferred a smaller frame, and a bit more aggressive style. So, I always felt too stretched out on frame sizes more "appropriate" to my body geometry.

It's all about what fits YOU!

L8R

I totally agree.
I'm about your height and I have a Fisher bike. I have the same size frame as what you tried out. It does seem strange that you would have the seat all the way up. However, as a2psyklnut said, if you ride on technical trails more then you will on just flat trails or roads, it will help. You will have more control over the bike, which will help you move around those turns and hop over those holes, trees, etc. Which Fisher were you looking at? Some places will let you ride one on a trail, but not all. I've had this bike for about five years now and I've beaten the #$%& out of it and it is still going. Good bike. Oh, I have a Paragon with a few upgrades.