I'm 190cm (6'3"), 110kg (240lb) - which bike?
02-24-06, 03:52 AM
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I'm looking to by a MTB for commuting 25km daily mainly on roads, but 1/2 of it along a very gentle fire trail.
My last 2 bikes have been Marin Eldridge Grades which have been great, but felt too small - 20" I think (I bought them 2nd hand). Buying now, because the last bike went under a Nissan Pulsar (thankfully I went over the car!).
This time I want to get a bigger bike, and have had no luck waiting for something 2nd hand in my size, so I'm looking at buying a new hardtail (or all rigid) MTB. My current thinking is a 22" Kona Hosse (Australian $ 1299) or Hosse Deluxe ($1599), Kona Caldera ($1299), or 23" Giant XTC 3 ($1499). Unortunately, none of the LBS have 22 or 23" frame bikes set up, so I'm going to have to take a punt based on sitting on 20 -21" bikes and extrapolating... (I thought that a Giant Alias ($999) might be ok, but i sat on the 21" today and the forks were half depressed (metaphorically too I'm sure!) with me just riding around the bike store - felt very soft, and VERY small).
Does anyone have any thoughts? I notice the thread below about a 6'1" guy being recommended to look at 21" or below, but as mainly a road commuter this doesn't suit me at all. I'm even tempted to go for a 25" frame, but this would need me dropping back in the quality of bike (eg Giant's best bike made for 25" seems to be the Yukon). I definitely aren't planning on doing anything serious on a trail - it'll be running slicks...
Any help greatly appreciated! (This site has been a real discovery for me! Stumbled across it via Google search for reviews).
My last 2 bikes have been Marin Eldridge Grades which have been great, but felt too small - 20" I think (I bought them 2nd hand). Buying now, because the last bike went under a Nissan Pulsar (thankfully I went over the car!).
This time I want to get a bigger bike, and have had no luck waiting for something 2nd hand in my size, so I'm looking at buying a new hardtail (or all rigid) MTB. My current thinking is a 22" Kona Hosse (Australian $ 1299) or Hosse Deluxe ($1599), Kona Caldera ($1299), or 23" Giant XTC 3 ($1499). Unortunately, none of the LBS have 22 or 23" frame bikes set up, so I'm going to have to take a punt based on sitting on 20 -21" bikes and extrapolating... (I thought that a Giant Alias ($999) might be ok, but i sat on the 21" today and the forks were half depressed (metaphorically too I'm sure!) with me just riding around the bike store - felt very soft, and VERY small).
Does anyone have any thoughts? I notice the thread below about a 6'1" guy being recommended to look at 21" or below, but as mainly a road commuter this doesn't suit me at all. I'm even tempted to go for a 25" frame, but this would need me dropping back in the quality of bike (eg Giant's best bike made for 25" seems to be the Yukon). I definitely aren't planning on doing anything serious on a trail - it'll be running slicks...
Any help greatly appreciated! (This site has been a real discovery for me! Stumbled across it via Google search for reviews).
Last edited by stingy; 02-24-06 at 04:21 AM.
02-25-06, 07:19 AM
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Note to self: (doesn't seem to be anyone out there that can help?)
I went and looked at a 22" Caldera today, and almost put the deposit on it... with a longer angled stem it could be fine...
Then I went to another LBS and made the mistake of riding a Cannondale F600 and boy did it seem nice. Big difference in $ though - AUD2000! Last year's model which seems to have better spec's than this years (better hubs). Anyway, its very tempting... have to scan the cannondale reviews now, and see if the extra $ is justified...
I went and looked at a 22" Caldera today, and almost put the deposit on it... with a longer angled stem it could be fine...
Then I went to another LBS and made the mistake of riding a Cannondale F600 and boy did it seem nice. Big difference in $ though - AUD2000! Last year's model which seems to have better spec's than this years (better hubs). Anyway, its very tempting... have to scan the cannondale reviews now, and see if the extra $ is justified...
03-01-06, 07:30 AM
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Hi Stingy,
Well, given noone else seems interested I thought I'd post something to you. (scratches his head wondering why noone responded... should I have posted in the "commuting" section instead?).
Yesterday I bought a 23" Specialized Rockhopper with sole Hydraulic disc from LBS.
Today I rode it to work, and felt SO GOOD.
Anyway, I don't know if I'll ever post anything again, but the site has good reading material.
So long.
Well, given noone else seems interested I thought I'd post something to you. (scratches his head wondering why noone responded... should I have posted in the "commuting" section instead?).
Yesterday I bought a 23" Specialized Rockhopper with sole Hydraulic disc from LBS.
Today I rode it to work, and felt SO GOOD.
Anyway, I don't know if I'll ever post anything again, but the site has good reading material.
So long.
03-01-06, 07:44 AM
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Yeah, it's a bit sad if you come in here looking for advice since to many of them are all about having a group master about crap. It's a bit of a disfunctional joint this one but hey, it is what it is.
Had a mate who got a Rockhopper and it's a good bike. For what it's worth, the nobs in here flog over specialized, so they'd probably approve if they could bother to read this thread.
For what it's worth, you aren't that big of a sucker, and you probably could have done with a smaller frame if you were planning to take it off road. On road though you could lounge out in the extra space that 23 offers.
Not that it matters now, but I wonder if a mtb was the best choice for your intended usage? A good touring frame like a Surly LHT but have fit you better, fit your inteded cycling better, and opened up touring for you in the future. But you've went down the mtb track so there's only one thing for it. Go find some good trails or single track and use that mtb. You'll have fun.
Had a mate who got a Rockhopper and it's a good bike. For what it's worth, the nobs in here flog over specialized, so they'd probably approve if they could bother to read this thread.
For what it's worth, you aren't that big of a sucker, and you probably could have done with a smaller frame if you were planning to take it off road. On road though you could lounge out in the extra space that 23 offers.
Not that it matters now, but I wonder if a mtb was the best choice for your intended usage? A good touring frame like a Surly LHT but have fit you better, fit your inteded cycling better, and opened up touring for you in the future. But you've went down the mtb track so there's only one thing for it. Go find some good trails or single track and use that mtb. You'll have fun.
03-01-06, 07:50 AM
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Stingy,
not online every, and don't check the forum each day that I can. But, you post caught my eye today, cause I am 6'5" 250lbs.
I would have reccommeded you going with the 23in frames as well, I have ridden 21.5s before, but the 23 was a better fit.
the last two bikes were Giants, a 23 and a 22.5, and I have a 23 in Specilized Hardrock in the grarage as well.
Enjoy.
not online every, and don't check the forum each day that I can. But, you post caught my eye today, cause I am 6'5" 250lbs.
I would have reccommeded you going with the 23in frames as well, I have ridden 21.5s before, but the 23 was a better fit.
the last two bikes were Giants, a 23 and a 22.5, and I have a 23 in Specilized Hardrock in the grarage as well.
Enjoy.
03-01-06, 08:42 AM
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Stingy -
I am pretty similar in size, and I find myself very comfortable now on the XL sized Gary Fisher 29er hardtails. The big wheels help us out proportionally, and the XL has a monster 25.5" long top tube, which is great for being comfortable.
I am pretty similar in size, and I find myself very comfortable now on the XL sized Gary Fisher 29er hardtails. The big wheels help us out proportionally, and the XL has a monster 25.5" long top tube, which is great for being comfortable.
03-01-06, 08:52 AM
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Congrats on the new bike! Sorry you had to talk to yourself for 3 posts... 
Good choice though. Those Sole disc brakes should be great for what you're using them for.
Good choice though. Those Sole disc brakes should be great for what you're using them for.
03-01-06, 10:35 AM
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My best friend is 6'4" and 236. He rides XL everything, including a 22" mtn bike. A hardtail with disc brakes is perfect for what you want to do. Keep on riding and please post in the commuter forum for more encouragement. I can't believe I didn't see your initial post... sorry you had to talk to yourself!
