Is my mountain bike too small?
04-26-15, 07:18 AM
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Is my mountain bike too small?
I have been riding for several years but still consider myself a novice. I was given a Specialized Hard Rock Sport-small (15") and have been using it since I started. I have recently started riding more difficult trails and I want to make sure this is the right size bike for me. I am a 5'8" tall, 200lb male. The bike has always felt comfortable, and I feel like I have good control while riding. The friend I ride with is basically the same height and weight as me, but rides a 17" Trek. Thoughts?
04-30-15, 06:32 AM
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5'8" on a 15" mtb frame soounds perfectly reasonable to me. Remember that a 17" frame is only one size larger than 15", and that different brands size their bikes differently.
If you are regularly riding and have no problems with comfort, I'd say your bike fits.
If you are regularly riding and have no problems with comfort, I'd say your bike fits.
05-23-15, 11:23 PM
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I'm 5'8" with 30" inseam. I've just bought a hybrid Trek DS8.3 15.5" frame. I worried for the first 2 weeks that it was too small having read this forum so I went back to the store this week. Tried again the 15.5" and 17.5" and now I'm reassured I bought the right size. The 15.5" just feels so naturally good. Also tried a cube 16" frame with 27.5" wheels. It felt great too. So I'm sure I'm a 15.5-16" frame size
05-24-15, 09:04 AM
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gnarly single track and a smaller frame is an advantage.. its the never off road street riding and as a Tour bike basis that bigger has advantages.
06-05-15, 10:37 AM
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It depends. Bike frame size means very little unless you are comparing similar bikes from similar eras.
If you are riding a 29er with a sloping top tube you are probably fit pretty well. If it is a late 90's or early 2000's with a flatter top tube, it is most likely too small. I'm a tad over 5' 8" and ride an 18" steel Trek from the mid-90's and it fits great. My son is 5'9" and rides a 19.5" 2000 Trek and loves the larger size, even on rougher stuff.
If you have a friend with a 17" see if he will let you ride it. Your current bike may be a better fit, but you may like the larger frame more. However, it is true that a smaller frame on more technical stuff can be an advantage as it is easier to throw around.
John
If you are riding a 29er with a sloping top tube you are probably fit pretty well. If it is a late 90's or early 2000's with a flatter top tube, it is most likely too small. I'm a tad over 5' 8" and ride an 18" steel Trek from the mid-90's and it fits great. My son is 5'9" and rides a 19.5" 2000 Trek and loves the larger size, even on rougher stuff.
If you have a friend with a 17" see if he will let you ride it. Your current bike may be a better fit, but you may like the larger frame more. However, it is true that a smaller frame on more technical stuff can be an advantage as it is easier to throw around.
John
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