Mountain Biking - 5'9", always ridden a 17" - can I squeeze on a 16"?

Any advice? My limbs, flexibility, inseam is all pretty common (no wierd long limbs/torso or anything).

If you're into bmx.....


Just teasing. I'm 5'5" with a 30 inch inseam and I use a 16 inch hardtail and 15 inch FS. What bike are we talking about here?

If you're into bmx.....


Just teasing. I'm 5'5" with a 30 inch inseam and I use a 16 inch hardtail and 15 inch FS. What bike are we talking about here?

I'm looking at the MotoB Fly XC. It says
16" up to 5'9" - so I don't know. Top-tube length is a whole 2 inches shorter than my 17" MotoB 29er which really fits me perfect.

I'm 5'6" with 82.5cm (32.5") inseam and ride a 15" mongoose and 17" KHS.

KHS is better for climbing (who knows why), rough stuff and fast, straight descents (this part is obvious).

Jumping, carving corners, switchbacks are all more fun on the Mongoose.

'fraid I have no 29er experience, so can't relate to that bit.

I swear, bike sizing is so ridiculous.

I'm looking at the MotoB Fly XC. It says - so I don't know. Top-tube length is a whole 2 inches shorter than my 17" MotoB 29er which really fits me perfect.

Then it might be a tad small for you. Two inches is a lot. Top Tube length is more important than seat tube length. You don't want to feel scrunched up on it.

Then it might be a tad small for you. Two inches is a lot. Top Tube length is more important than seat tube length. You don't want to feel scrunched up on it.

Yes. Thank you.

That's what I was thinking, and I'm more interested in TT length than anything... nothing is worse than a scrunched up feeling on a bike. Looks like a 17" (or even a 18") may be a better choice for me.

I like a smaller frame than a lot of people. I'm 5'10" and my hardtail is a 15". It's really something that you would need to try out first.

I like a smaller frame than a lot of people. I'm 5'10" and my hardtail is a 15". It's really something that you would need to try out first.

Do you run a "regular" length (whatever that is) stem, or go a bit longer? This is, again, for a hardtail XC bike. Thanks for all the input!

Do you run a "regular" length (whatever that is) stem, or go a bit longer? This is, again, for a hardtail XC bike. Thanks for all the input!

I know ya didn't ask me, but I have a 90mm on my 17" and a 120mm on my 15" (both hardtails)
When I first got the 15" I was kinda freakin' out thinking I'd nail the stem with my knees All the time, but it hasn't happened once.

I like a smaller frame than a lot of people. I'm 5'10" and my hardtail is a 15". It's really something that you would need to try out first.

As I recall, I asked a similarish question about my sette frame, and you said that. I didnt believe you, but Now I really do. A smaller frame feels way safer some how.

I know ya didn't ask me, but I have a 90mm on my 17" and a 120mm on my 15" (both hardtails)
When I first got the 15" I was kinda freakin' out thinking I'd nail the stem with my knees All the time, but it hasn't happened once.

No, man... thank you for your input! Are you my height?

As I recall, I asked a similarish question about my sette frame, and you said that. I didnt believe you, but Now I really do. A smaller frame feels way safer some how.

I run a 90mm raceface stem and a 410 Thomson setback post. I use it for trail riding. It suffers a little when the climbing gets steep becuse of the 145mm fork but that's fine with me. It's super fun when you drop the seat and start downhill. A smallish frame is really easy to handle,that's most likely why it feels "safer" to you. You can really move around on it.

Just go test ride one and see how it feels...I actually prefer more compact frames. Try it out!