Well, i am currently looking at a new Marin hardtail mountain bike and i really don't know what size to get. I'm 6' and 140 lbs. Basically im lanky and goofy with long limbs. My old Trek is a 19.5 in frame, but when i was at the LBS, the attendant said that an 18.5 in frame would suit me better for the Marin. 18.5in was also the biggest frame they had in stock. Was he telling me this just to buy the bike or should i be riding an 18.5??

Next time you go to the LBS, make sure and demo a Marin in that size. If you feel comfortable riding it, then you have discovered the right size for you. We can't tell you what will fit you best in cyberspace.

Can't really say he is just trying to sell you what they have in stock but this might help for a general idea: (It was accurate for the size bike I already have and for a couple of my friends)

The measurement on the left is the inside leg length.. from the crotch to the the floor. The measurement on the right is the frame for most mtbs... frames vary though.

.

29 ½ - 30 ¾ in = 14 - 16 in frame

Small

31 - 32¼ in = 16 - 17 in frame
Medium

32½ - 34 in = 17 - 18 in frame
Large

34¼ - 35½ in = 19 - 21 in frame

eXtraLarge

as a salesman i can guarantee you he was trying to get you to buy what they had in stock, but it doesn't mean he wasn't genuine. At six foot it all depends on your riding style and comfort zone. i'm 6,1, and i personally prefer a 20" frame, but that's cause my legs are super long. what i've always done, is test the same bike in different sizes, but do it a couple of times. go in and do it one day, then a few days later do it again. it takes awhile to get really comfortable with a bike, and you'll feel things you didn't notice before every time you ride it.

just a suggestion! :-)

thanks

No problem man!

one more thing to look for, is check your standover clearance and ability to balance/manuever precisely on the larger frames. Sometimes they feel more comfortable at first, but then you try to corner sharply and wind up picking gravel out of your knee caps. Ran into this myself one time.

Good luck!!!!

Yeah, ride them, alot, before you buy. I'm 5'10.5" 205lbs. When I got my Yukon I started on an 18" frame, it's what the LBS and myself thought would be right. Well, it didn't take long to realize, and my g/f even laughed to point it out, that I looked really cramped on it. Went up to a 20" and it fits like a glove. But I rode a few other bikes before and after but went back to the 20" Yukon and it just felt right. Spend some time and save yourself the hassle. Good luck
Jon

Thats what is weird for me. I'm 6ft 150pounds and I'm riding the 18". It feels fine. I didn't really try the 20".. They just suggested the 18in.. I rode it around and it feels fine. If I drop the seat all the way down and my feet are positioned far up on the pedals the front of my foot will hit the tire a little. (I wear size 12though)

yea I am little over 6 foot tal and I ride a 19" but the geometry of my Leader 516h has the top tube at only 22.3 inches...which is about the same as an 17.5 - 18 inch bike...even though im tall im more comfortable with the handlebars a little closer...

to each his own.

I personally like between a 21-22" bike as it fits me better (which is about right because i'm 6'1") I currently ride an 18" frame which is WAY too small for me, but an 18" is good for somebody around 5'7" to about 5'10".

But you wouldn't say it isn't completely wrong though that I am 6ft and riding an 18" frame though would you?

Simply put just see what feels best somewhere around the size you should probably be getting.

i got a friend who is 5'10'' who is only comfortable on his 16.5 trek


TO EACH HIS OWN

wow...just picturing that makes me laugh! but hey, whatever works, right! In short, get whatever size you damn well please, so long as you like it!