too...big? bulky?
 

this rockhopper comp feels too...big. i always feel like i'm riding "on top" of the bike, as opposed to "being part" of the bike. make sense?

i'm 6'2"....185 lbs...and this is a size 21 frame. i feel like i'm stretched out too far from the seat to the bars. should i try for a shorter stem? sell the rockhopper, and move to a better bike...maybe used? hmm...feel held back from advancing in my riding due to the awkward feeling...too bad the ride was comfy in the parkin lot...or else i would have gone with a smaller frame.

open to suggestions.
-nate

ps: ski bike finished...pics comin soon. =)

sounds like the bike doesn't fit you. if you are too stretched out, you might need to move the seat forward and/or shorten the stem.

this right here is what i tell people all the time: all bicycles are different. a 21" specialized is different than a 21" trek is different than a 21" rocky mountain etc etc ad infinitum. they all have different geometry, you gotta sit on as many bikes as you can until you find the right one. ibis makes awesome bikes, but their top tube tends to be a bit shorter (on the older mojos anyway, the new HD not so much) so you feel a bit more upright. some people like this, others do not. personal preference. each bike feels different.

specialized make great bikes. i personally will NEVER ride one, because i've NEVER felt comfortable on one. even the ones in my size. this happens.

so....go sit on other bikes, and find the one that is right for you.

I'm about your size take a 1/2" or so and I ride an 18.5" 2005 Komodo and 19" 1998 Komodo. I built a 21" Trek 4500 in 2006 that was def. too big for me, but if you don't mind the lack of clearance, you can put a short stem on it and slam the saddle.

I ride a 21" Specialized P-1, but I got on a 21" Rockhopper Comp 29er, and it feels like I am trying to ride a 23" or bigger. The 27" wide bars definitely don't help the situation any. If you were on a 19" it might feel better? If you're past the point of returning it, try a shorter and or hiigher angled stem and cutting an inch or so off each end of the bars. The wider the bars, the farther you're stretched trying to reach them. It makes the angle from your shoulders to the bars shallower, so it makes you lean forward more to hold the bars.,,,,BD

I almost bought one, since I work at a Specialized dealer. I would have ordered a 21", judging by what I ride already?

My 21" P-1, I have done a few mods, hehe. I've already dropped three pounds off of it since it rolled out of the door. Just little stuff, but anyway.. Stem from an Epic and Origin8 31.8 bars on the way.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60000045@N08/5503957198/

I'm a tad over 6' 3" but I am more body and arms than legs. 34" inseam, but 37" sleeve length. My 21" Scott was a huge improvment over my 20" Norco. Scott also gains 1/2" on the top tube. The best advice boils down to sit on a bunch. You just hope that the one that feels right fits the checkbook.

Alright. Sounds good guys. What really burns me, is that during my limited parking lot trials before I bought the bike, she felt super comfy.

I think a 19 would feel quite a bit better. Before going this route, I'll try a different stem, and probably cut down the bars. Perhaps this will do the trick.

What I REALLY want to do, is attend a bike fest such as the one put on by new belgium brewing co...sit on a bunch of bikes...get the feel for something better.

I love riding, but would rather have something that fits better...this 21" feels toooo big.

Sounds like you're on the right track. Your dealer should bend over backwards and swap the stem and/or bars. Trivial things such as this will make you happy, and more likely to purchase from them in the future. As long as your parts are in good condition, that is. My P-1 bars are 2 inches shorter? Extra leverage is fine, but 27 inches is WIDE, lol. I have one bike with wider bars, but it's an 84 Ross Mt Hood with bullmoose bars. They measure 28 inches!!,,,,BD

That's because the P.1 is a DJ and the Rockhopper is more XC oriented. Measurements don't work across bikes like that. My DJ is like a 12", which is way smaller than any of my XC bike, even though they both fit me. Similarly, my road bike is 48cm, which is about 19". No way would I be able to ride a 19" mountain bike...or a 12" (30cm) road bike for that matter. Apples to oranges.

The emblem on the downtube says All Mountain. But I understand completely. I ride a 60cm road bike, so the concept is easy enough to understand.,,,,BD

I can always ask. The worst they could say is "No." I'm as far forward as I can comfortably go on my seat...any further forward, and I'd be at an awkward angle to the pedaling position. I can see where bringing in the bars would help. I could probably let the rockhopper go for around $500, and have that money to play with as I look into a new bike, but would rather not lose the value I have in the current machine.

Ya, but look at the pics of that P.1. I don't even know what that thing is. It's certainly not a Specialized P-bike any more.

It's quite different from the other P-series bikes...isn't it...

I'm not sure if that was an insult or a compliment. Is it the bar ends? The bell is for clueless hikers. It's loud, and effective. Like they can't hear a mtb crashing through the woods from a mile away, lol. Works fine in the swampy hills around here. As long as I don't hit an armadillo or turn a corner into a gator, I'll be fine.;) I'm thinking of a repaint to bright yellow, with some retro custom decals. The pedals I am testing out temporarily, seeing if I will like clipless or not. I'm leaning towards some SPD's, and maybe some hydraulic discs when I get a little extra cash available.,,,,BD

The downtube emblem says All Mountain, so I don't think it is a dirt jumping bike in all honesty?

Perhaps I need to work on my internet voice inflection, as that was definitely not meant as an insult...but merely an observation of something new to me =).

I like the clearance the P1 AM has...that's where I'm lacking with this massive 21" frame...very little to no drop of the top tube as it sits from front to back on the bike...feels awkward.

Ah, I just looked at the picture. Forgot all about the P.1 All-Mountain. I was picturing one of these and thinking that that would either be the biggest P.1 in the history of the world....or that we were looking at a TT measurement.

Whoa, new P.1 is rigid. I just noticed that.

Well...I went by the bike shop and rode around on a 19" Rockhopper Comp. Now I know which frame I SHOULD have purchased, if I would have stuck with the hopper. I like this bike. It was in my price range. I was novice to current MTB riding/bikes/manufacturers, and went with the specialized that I thought fit.

Never-the-less, my LBS volunteered to sell me (hah) a SWorks 75mm stem, instead of the current 100mm stem that my 21" came with. They sold me the part at cost, roughly $50 + tax, instead of their list price of $100 + tax. I think I got a decent deal, and am glad they are helping out. If this doesn't work, and the geometry STILL feels awkward, I'll probably sell the bike, and find something else.

What do ya guys think?