Small fella - Big bike

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Yorkshirekid

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#249123 26-Apr-2019 17:20

Curious - what if I bought a bike that is large and I am not - how will that effect anything?

I'm after a stumpjumper. I'm 5'7" and I'm told I need a medium frame, but why? WHy can't I have a small or large frame?

I get it if I'm 6'4" and I choose a small frame - not good. But the other way around, would I not be ok?

I'd appreciate some bikeucation from members please.

Cheers

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kobiak

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#2225702 26-Apr-2019 17:37

distance between seat and handlebar. if frame to big, you'll find yourself stretches to the front creating too much pressure on the arms.

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Deamo

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#2225753 26-Apr-2019 18:12

kobiak:
distance between seat and handlebar. if frame to big, you'll find yourself stretches to the front creating too much pressure on the arms.

That

Ultimately, its only a recommendation. Ride different sizes of the bike you want and buy whichever feels best.

One of my co-workers is about my height 5'10 and he prefers to ride bikes a size down from what's recommended.

Dunnersfella

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#2225757 26-Apr-2019 18:19

For little people, big bikes feel like they're riding a farm gate. If you're riding off road the ability to get off the bike in a real hurry is hampered by larger frames.

On the other hand, a few bigger folk rider smaller frames as they are more 'chuckable'. I used to ride DH on a hardtail as it was easy to flick around... having said that, a proper sized full suspension rig was far more fun in the gnar!

Remember, a small frame with a looooong seatpost is putting a lot more stress on the frame / post and can leave to a premature frame or seatpost failure.

Oh yeah, handlebar to stem distance is also VERY important.

Yorkshirekid

193 posts

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#2226190 27-Apr-2019 11:41

Ok thanks. Your comments have helped me come to a decision.

I've decided that I need to get myself into a bike shop and try the size.

Many thanks.

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GeekGuy

597 posts

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#2226328 27-Apr-2019 13:24

Yorkshirekid:

Curious - what if I bought a bike that is large and I am not - how will that effect anything?

I'm after a stumpjumper. I'm 5'7" and I'm told I need a medium frame, but why? WHy can't I have a small or large frame?

I get it if I'm 6'4" and I choose a small frame - not good. But the other way around, would I not be ok?

I'd appreciate some bikeucation from members please.

Cheers

Thats interesting ... you may be a bit taller then my brother and he owns a Boss Hoss.

He goes on tours around the North Island every now and then with a few friends.

I will ask him about the frame on his one.

mudguard

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#2226704 28-Apr-2019 12:04

The hard part with a quick test or sit in the shop, is how it feels after an hour, or two hours of riding.

I'm 178cm and basically for the brand I ride, I'm at the end of Medium, and start of Large. I've always ridden a medium frame size. When I got really into riding, predominantly downhill, everyone tended to ride a smaller bike than recommended. My bike is five years old now, and while people go on and on about evolution in geometry in recent times, I jump on a newer bike they've certainly got more roomy. The reach on my medium is 431mm which feels fine. I've ridden a few of the next size up and it hasn't been a problem, I'd get used to it pretty quickly.

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Batman

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#2226827 28-Apr-2019 14:36

Bike a bit big is difficult to ride but very ok if only cycling on flat tarmac. Bike too big is unridable.

Bike a bit small is very easy to ride but a bit uncomfortable over time.

Bike too small is easy to ride but uncomfortable, but the limiting factor is usually the seat post is too short for your height - need a new seat post from aliexpress. The other limiting thing is if it's way too small your toes will touch the front wheel when you turn it.