Xsive

Hi to All-
What formula do you use to fit your mtn bike? I am a long-time mtn biker, but I spent a few years away from the mtn bike and instead rode only a road bike. Fit is important on a road bike, so I have many measurements to apply to my mtn bike.

For years, I just rode my mtn bike and nothing ever hurt. However, now that I'm a few years older I'd like to fit my mountain bike correctly- just as I've fit my road bike.

Is there a conversion that you use to account for the geometry differences between mtn and road bikes?

Thx!!!

gus6464

MTBs tend to have a lot less sizes available than road bikes. This is because most tend to size MTBs on rider height. Since you are way more upright on an MTB compared to a road bike there is a lot more room for leeway. I honestly have yet to sit on an MTB for my height that I did not feel comfy in with some minor adjustments.

LesterOfPuppets

Depends on how you wanna fit. I race STXC on bikes with ETT 2 cm longer than on my road bikes. Bar about the same height as the tops of road bars. Also have a non - race bike with much higher bars.

Zephyr11

Road bike fitting is a science. They can put you on one of those fit cycles like Serotta makes and determine, based on your structure and musculature, when you're the most powerful, when you're most efficient, and when you spin the best little circles, and decide what to prioritize based on what you're using the bike for. And they can take your imbalances and injury history into account and fit you accordingly.

Mountain bike fitting is an art. Sure, you can argue road bike fitting has some art involved, and I wouldn't disagree, but you have a lot more freedom in mountain bike fitting than road bike fitting. Discipline and terrain plays a large role, but even among people who are the same height, same inseam, and ride the same trails, rider preference and riding style also play a large role.