Is Bike Fit Universal?
04-16-09, 07:20 PM
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Is Bike Fit Universal?
When purchasing a bike of a different style, should the top tube be the same length? I have a road bike and want to get mountain bike. The mountain bike will be more of a commuter then anything but I want the option of going off-road.
Thanks
Thanks
04-16-09, 07:27 PM
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Not really. You want more standover clearance with a MTB than you do with a road bike. Like 2" minimum. That said, if it's seeing mainly street you can size it like a road bike and take your chances when you do go offroad. The boys might appreciate the clearance tho 
04-16-09, 07:35 PM
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Keep your cockpit length the same. Measure from your saddle to the hoods on your road bike. A proper sized mountain bike will have about the same cockpit length, but it will be measured from the saddle to the center of the bars. If you think of it this way the mountain bike will actually have a longer top tube.
04-17-09, 06:06 AM
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I have read that if you buy a drop-bar bike, that you want a shorter top-tube than you would want for a flat-bar bike. My understanding is that the drops will stretch you out some, as compared to a flat-bar.
Caveat: I have not yet owned a drop-bar bike. I have been looking at them recently though.
Edit: c_m_shooter has already said the same thing. Sorry. I should have read his post more closely.
Caveat: I have not yet owned a drop-bar bike. I have been looking at them recently though.
Edit: c_m_shooter has already said the same thing. Sorry. I should have read his post more closely.
04-17-09, 06:09 AM
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MTB frames for actual MTBing are always smaller than road frames, for any given person.
I would have destroyed by balls numerous times by now if my MTB was 23".
I would have destroyed by balls numerous times by now if my MTB was 23".
