Getting back into it, but what to get? Oh, and hi!
06-01-11 | 08:31 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Getting back into it, but what to get? Oh, and hi!
Hello from KS.
I've got some extremely newbish questions to ask, and I'm hoping I can get started in the right direction...
Type of bike I want: MTB! I grew up on a Trek MTB and have always love those types of bikes.
What I'm wanting a bike for: Commuting to work (16 miles to and from, 32 total a day) a couple of days a week, and some offroading and occasional trickery. Emphasis on commuting, followed by trails, and finishing with trickery (curb hobbing and what not) in a distant 3rd.
I went to one of the more reputable stores here in Wichita, and came across a 'knowledgeable' salesman who, after fitting me, determined that they don't make MTB's for shorties (I'm 5'10") like me. My legs (or inseam, or whatever) measured at 77" with bike fit and I found that 26" tires felt good. Forgot the frame size.The salesman then said my 'overlap' was too large (my toes hit the tire) to get any bikes they offer. I understood overlap to be how far away your toes are from the tire when the arch of a foot is on the pedal. More specifically, he stated that commuting was okay, but going to trails was out of the question with my overlap. He said my best bet was to get a Trek Jack, which aren't made anymore. Seriously? Even if what he said had merit, that's the best help I can get? Discouraging.
So here I am, and I'd like a second opinion. I concede that I remember next to nothing about bikes, but I am adamant about having a MTB. The one bike he recommended pre-measurement was a Specialized Rockhopper.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks!
EDIT: Forgot to mention that I have a budget of $900.
I've got some extremely newbish questions to ask, and I'm hoping I can get started in the right direction...
Type of bike I want: MTB! I grew up on a Trek MTB and have always love those types of bikes.
What I'm wanting a bike for: Commuting to work (16 miles to and from, 32 total a day) a couple of days a week, and some offroading and occasional trickery. Emphasis on commuting, followed by trails, and finishing with trickery (curb hobbing and what not) in a distant 3rd.
I went to one of the more reputable stores here in Wichita, and came across a 'knowledgeable' salesman who, after fitting me, determined that they don't make MTB's for shorties (I'm 5'10") like me. My legs (or inseam, or whatever) measured at 77" with bike fit and I found that 26" tires felt good. Forgot the frame size.The salesman then said my 'overlap' was too large (my toes hit the tire) to get any bikes they offer. I understood overlap to be how far away your toes are from the tire when the arch of a foot is on the pedal. More specifically, he stated that commuting was okay, but going to trails was out of the question with my overlap. He said my best bet was to get a Trek Jack, which aren't made anymore. Seriously? Even if what he said had merit, that's the best help I can get? Discouraging.
So here I am, and I'd like a second opinion. I concede that I remember next to nothing about bikes, but I am adamant about having a MTB. The one bike he recommended pre-measurement was a Specialized Rockhopper.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks!
EDIT: Forgot to mention that I have a budget of $900.
Last edited by Itrium; 06-01-11 at 08:37 PM.
06-01-11 | 09:03 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 0
From: Sonora, Texas
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc, Specialized Roubaix Expert
Welcome to the forums! Check out the Commuting and Touring sections, folks in there can help you out and inspire you at the same time.
06-01-11 | 09:17 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo New York
thats an awful bike shop if they told you that at 5'10 they didnt have a frame to fit you. they must not want your money. utter b.s. Im 5'10. I ride a 55cm road bike. my mtb is a 16 inch frame but it is too small for me. I need to jack the seat post up all the way to the minium insert line. I have no issues w/toe overlap or heal strike or anything, it is still plenty ridable just not ideal. My wifes mtb is an 18 inch which I feel alittle streched out on. Obviously I need a 17 inch frame.
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2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
06-01-11 | 09:24 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies so far.
Geo: Advice taken.
Catonec: Yeah, that's why I posted my plight. My B.S. -o-meter hit 10 after my experience, so I figured I'd chime in here. I should say that he was RIGHT about my overlap. The front part of my shoe hit the tire like crazy when my arches were on the pedal. I have big I guess.
Geo: Advice taken.
Catonec: Yeah, that's why I posted my plight. My B.S. -o-meter hit 10 after my experience, so I figured I'd chime in here. I should say that he was RIGHT about my overlap. The front part of my shoe hit the tire like crazy when my arches were on the pedal. I have big I guess.
