Is it too big?

[Sir Lurkalot]

I won a voucher for a local bike shop (from my Bank would you believe!). Shop owner says with that voucher you may have well have the most expensive bike in the shop. I spot a Dawes XC 2.2 mountain bike, always fancied a Dawes, so I said I'll have that.
Had a test ride, liked it so the deal was done with a set of Crud catchers thrown in. Trouble is it's a 20" frame which I thought would be OK as my old road bike was that size. I've found out my bike is classed as large & I should have a medium, does it matter?

 

[Smokin Joe]

"Had a test ride, liked it".

Doesn't sound like it felt too big, which is the key.

 

[Norm]

The "ideal" size depends on the use you are going to put it through. My MTB is a size larger than I'd have chosen for heavy off-road use as I generally use it for spending a day in the saddle in mild off-road situations.

Whilst I have ridden it to the top of tors on Dartmoor and I have spent hours riding the technical bits of my local MTB track, I have spent much more time riding tow paths and bridle paths. If you want something for serious off-road use and abuse, you need something smaller, lighter and more nimble. If you want something which is going to be as comfortable at 10am in Pewsey as it is at 7pm in Maidenhead, then something larger will be more suitable.

IMO.

 

[wobbler]

The "ideal" size depends on the use you are going to put it through. My MTB is a size larger than I'd have chosen for heavy off-road use as I generally use it for spending a day in the saddle in mild off-road situations.

This is more or less what my LBS told me. When I bought my MTB, I told them it was for light to medium off road use. After seeing other cyclists on similar bikes, my bike looked too big for me. Now I've read Norm's post it all makes sense to me.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

Thanks for the replies, it did worry me a bit because going by my height all the bike mags say I should be on an 18" MTB frame. To be honest at my age & fitness I won't be hurling myself down mountains or "ripping up" single tracks. I'm more of a cruiser than a bruiser and more likely to be out on gravel tracks in the Forest or going down the road to buy milk.

 

[Norm]

I'm more of a cruiser than a bruiser and more likely to be out on gravel tracks in the Forest or going down the road to buy milk.

I reckon you've got a good scoot there then.

That said, I still wonder, sometimes, about getting a smaller frame but, when I'm on my old rigid MTB, which does have a smaller frame, it's great for a little while but I end up riding it like a BMX (which is not like any self-respecting 47 year old should ride ) and it feels about as comfortable as a BMX after a dozen miles.

 

[Cubist]

Thanks for the replies, it did worry me a bit because going by my height all the bike mags say I should be on an 18" MTB frame. To be honest at my age & fitness I won't be hurling myself down mountains or "ripping up" single tracks. I'm more of a cruiser than a bruiser and more likely to be out on gravel tracks in the Forest or going down the road to buy milk.

In which case, unless you can't dismount without emasculating yourself on the toptube, you appear to have the ideal bike. Congratulations by the way!

 

[Banjo]

If you havent used the bike much yet why not go back to the shop and tell them of your concerns now, its no good going back in a few months once the bike has been well used.

They should take the responsibility for ensuring they sold you the right size bike.It maybe that the bike is fine for you, most people can go on one size larger or smaller but get youir mind at rest now while its still new.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

I've had the bike over a year now, so it's too late to change it. I did ask the bike shop & they said pretty much the same thing about a smaller frame being more agile but larger is more suited to my type riding. I didn't know if they were trying to fob me off because it was the most expensive bike in the shop & he wanted rid of it (I noticed they're not selling Dawes & stocking cheaper bikes now)
Anyway, I feel better about it now, all I have to do is get out & enjoy it!