Size, size...
 

First of all, hello guys I've been reading stuff on this forum long ago before I decided to join it. Anyway, my problem is, I'm 187cm (a bit over 6,1") tall and I recently bought GT Aggressor 3.0, XL frame. I've read specifications for that bike, frame is actually 21.4" long. And GT is recommending that frame for my size (based on their chart I found somewhere). I have to note, I've tried some other M and L sized bikes (not by GT) before buying this XL one, they felt slightly too small. I rode a 19" few months ago and it gave me back pain, it was way too small for me. The thing is, I use my bike mostly for commuting, steep asphalt roads (my town is full of them) trails, and some 25-30% pure off road mountain biking.

Anyway my problem is, it feels SLIGHTLY longer than I need it to be, and that's the irritating part. I think the horizontal tube might be too long. The bike is great, it's loads of fun but simply put, I'm too stretched out. I can't take it back, I can't get a new one, so please tell me what can I do to make it more comfortable for my size? Adjustable stem or something? Can a different saddle possibly get me closer to the handlebars? Any help would be appreciated. P.S. I've been riding for the past 5-6 months now, so I apologize for any stupid questions. Cheers

Maybe go adjustable stem temporarily 'til you find the rise and reach you want, then get the rigid stem that's closest to that. Problem is it'll put your bars up higher as you go for shorter reach.

First you need to ascertain the bar clamp diameter - 25.4 or 31.8. If you can't measure, post a pic of bar and stem and someone can tell you which.

Get a shorter stem and see if you can move your saddle forward on the post. If that doesn't fix it try a sweptback set of bars.

HEY Cyclops-you look familiar, didn't we used to rumble in the 60s?

Here's a few photos:

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...2/IMG_0407.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...2/IMG_0409.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...2/IMG_0411.jpg

I don't know should I spend any more money on it or simply give up and wait until I can sell it or whatever. I'm so pissed with myself for buying it, I want to throw it off a cliff

OP, That stem is huge, get a shorty stem. Your saddle looks like it can come forward a little and rotate the bars a few degrees back towards you and re-adjust your contriols to suit. All that could bring the bars back to you as much 5cm (two inches) perhaps more - cost you $5 - $20 tops.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...2/IMG_0411.jpg

Dude!

Oh man remember that time we trashed Tokyo? Good times.

tnx Cyclops, so should I buy an adjustable stem (something like this http://www.amazon.com/Kalloy-Adjusta...5353528&sr=8-2) or just a 'short' one? How short? P.S. I'm going to buy another saddle one of these days, because this one kills

Adjustable stem is gonna bring bars higher more than closer. Adj stems are usually 100mm or so, kinda long for what you want. I guess if you put it under all those spacers it might approximate what some shorter stems would do.

Do you wish the bars were higher also?

I'd get the 135° 75mm Profile Boa.

Get on the bike and lean against the wall. Grab a pretend handlebar right in front of the head tube and a little higher than current bar. That's where your bar will be with this one. Might be too extreme a change, dunno, hopefully you do.

http://www.universalcycles.com/image...arge/15865.jpg

Personally I'd just buy a short one, how short? well thats really your call - you have to ride it. Has your LBS ever fitted the bike to you? do you have an experienced friend who can do that for you? Fettling the bike the bike can make a huge difference, but get the short stem, its a good start. The BOA looks like it would do.

Ok, thanks for your response. I think it would be good if bars were also a little bit higher. @LesterOfPuppets I don't think it would be too extreme a change, in fact this whole bike is too extreme a change for me (after riding a 19" for months). I might grab this stem and see what happens.