Hi I need some help figuring out the correct frame size for a dirt jump mountain bike. I raced bmx when I was younger and did some dirt jumping a few years back but I've never owned a mountain bike. I'll mostly be riding trails with my gf but I also want a bike that can withstand some jumping and abuse. I've been looking at the 17" Kona Shred/Stuff models because they seem to be made for jumping and trails/all mountain plus I found a couple of used ones in 17". I went to my local Kona dealer but they didn't have either model in stock for me to try. I did test ride a 17" Caldera and it seemed to fit pretty well. The guy at the shop said if the 17" Caldera fit then I should go with a 17" in the Shred/Stuff model. The only concern I have is that a few pages I've read say that you should go one or two inches smaller in frame size for a dirt jump bike. So I guess my question is would it be ok to go with a 17" since I'll be using it mainly for trails or should I look into a 15" or 16"? If it helps I'm 5' 7", 170lbs and my inseam is around 31". Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

At 5'7" I would lookat the 15" frame size........but thats just me.

Dirt jump frames should fit smaller than a xc bike, I'd probably say a 15" frame would be best.

Even if I'll be using it for 90% trail riding? I found a couple Kona dj bike that have 15.5" frames but I though that might be too small for mostly trail riding. Thanks for the response.

The 15.5 will be just fine.

Dude - from a guy who perpetually rode too big of bikes for years - go for the 15.5.

Listen to sscyco, he rocks the pimp white. He's the man!

Figure out what you're gonna do with it, man. I mean come on? Your thread title says you want a DJ bike. Now you say it's gonna be a 90% trail bike. Two very different bikes with very different geometries and purposes. A 15" bike will be kinda hard for you on trails unless you go 66 on the seatpost. Cockpit will feel a little cramped on a long "trail ride". A 17" bike may feel slightly cumbersome on DJ's and sacrifice your ability to throw it around in the air.


If you're going to ride 90% trails...buy a trail bike. At your height, 16.5-17" would be alright. It will just "get you by" on the DJ's...but a day in the saddle will feel better.

Well that's why I was looking into the Kona bikes that said they were kind of a cross between DJ and trail. There were a few reasons why I was looking at DJ bikes as opposed to straight up trail bikes- First I'm coming from a bmx background and the trail style mountain bikes seemed kind of tall and unstable when I test rode them. Secondly I've read that you shouldn't really jump a trail/all mountain bike, I won't be doing too much jumping but I wanted that option plus I plan on riding the bike hard as hell, I don't want to be the idiot that buys a $1000 trail bike and breaks the frame trying to jump it when it's not intended for that purpose. Lastly I found a good deal on a 17" DJ bike in good condition. Seems like maybe I'll have to just get myself a trail/all mountain bike and get used to it. Thanks for the advice guys.

Hmmmmmmmm............

I see...

I think it's just gonna be a trade-off no matter what you do. Young legs and lungs can handle the extra work that a more cramped / heavier / shorter ride will give on a longer XC'ish trail ride. I think you could find yourself some sort of Hardrock, Rockhopper, Trek 6xxx series...or something along those lines on craigslist or ebay cheap enough that you will have a decent bike for longer days in the saddle. Then you got the best of both worlds.

I must admit though...when you do get to those more "fun" sections of trail...that smaller / slacker bike is the beezneez! I put up with the extra work that my 18" bike makes me do...just for the enhanced fun-factor that it becomes in the gnarlier / jumpier sections of trail. At 6'2"...I've been told that it's too small for me, but heck man...that's why I have the "crapper". It's more XC oriented.

Just enjoy riding. You're not out to make a living keeping up with Kabush or out-style Chase.

I've had just as much fun riding my wife's 17.5" DB as I have on my old 19" XLT...different kind of fun...but fun just the same.





Welcome, dude!

(Looking up at the sky) "yes.... Yes, I AM THE MAN!"

Well I passed on the 17" Kona dj bike. I'm glad you guys set me straight before I went through the hassle of trying to return that sucker when I found out it was too big. I also went to a few more shops and it seem even a 17" xc/trail bike is a tad too big for me. The top tubes of the 17's come right up to my crotch and that doesnt seem right. I'm thinking about a 16" kona cinder cone now and maybe trying a few Specialized and GT bikes as well. Thanks for the help guys.