What size mountain bike?

[Juliet42]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, have been lurking for a while, but have a question for you.

I am 5ft 2, 28 inch inside leg. So my question is what size frame would you advise for a full suspension mountain bike?

Also, at the moment I ride a Claude Butler hybrid in a 15 inch frame, which fits perfectly.

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[lulubel]

Hi Juliet

The most important part of sizing a bike is getting the reach from the saddle to the bars right. You can adjust the saddle a long way up and down, but the range of adjustment on the reach is much more limited.

Unfortunately, the actual measurements and the "stated size" can vary a lot between different manufacturers and even between different ranges from the same manufacturer, so the stated size is often not very helpful. (For example, my old hardtail mountain bike is a 15" frame and I've just bought a new one in a 13" frame. The reach is exactly the same on both bikes, but the new one feels slightly bigger to ride because the bars are wider.)

What I would suggest is to put your bike somewhere flat, then get a spirit level so you can measure the horizontal distance between the head tube (the upright part at the front of the bike that stays still when you steer), and the seat post. Try to measure roughly centre to centre rather than from closest edge to closest edge. This measurement is called the effective top tube (or ETT), and manufacturers show this on their geometry charts. Since your current bike fits you well, you want to be looking for a new bike with a very similar ETT measurement.

 

[Norm]

A tough one. My commuter hack is a medium frame, as I love the responsiveness for wriggling through stuff.

My hard tail is an XL, though, as it gets used for longer periods in the saddle and I like the more relaxed posture and ride.

What do you want to use it for? Downhills? Trails?

 

[Juliet42]

Well I have a confession to make, one which will probably make you guys here say tut! tut!

I bought the Apollo Firecracker full suspension mountain bike from Halfords at the weekend, in a 15 inch frame as advised by the Bikehut chappies according to my size. ( I know you are probably all groaning now), anyway the bike was all put together for me and ready to go, I stood over it and the gap between top bar and me was about 2 inches, and this felt fine. Sat on it and the reach to the floor was about right, feet not flat on floor, but not straining to reach floor, just as I have it on my hybrid.

So took bike home and other than a quick go up and down the drive, didn't really take it anywhere for a test ride , cause family descended on me for a roast and that was that.

Yesterday, I took the Apollo out for a spin, and the fit didn't feel quite right, I felt too much over the handlebars, anyway I lowered the seat, and then my thighs were too much up against my tummy, so readjusted seat height again. I'm thinking that the handlebars need to be higher, but can't see how to make them any higher, I think they are the ones that adjust with rings? And all the rings are at the top of the bigger ring, (I'm not very up on bike techno speak).

Fancied this bike as my winter toy for off road, tow paths, beach paths and generally just to have a bit of fun.

So without being too unkind to me about my bike choice, I'd like your advice please!

 

[vickster]

No expert but how about a longer stem to move the bars away or a flipped stem to raise them up. I'd be surprised if 15" is too small, I am 5'10, 33" inside leg and my hardtail is an 18", although of course geometries and manufacturers vary. Otherwise perhaps adjust the saddle forwards or backward as well as up and down

 

[fossyant]

Apollo and FS - good luck

 

[Juliet42]

Apollo and FS - good luck

Cheeky!

 

[Juliet42]

No expert but how about a longer stem to move the bars away or a flipped stem to raise them up. I'd be surprised if 15" is too small, I am 5'10, 33" inside leg and my hardtail is an 18", although of course geometries and manufacturers vary. Otherwise perhaps adjust the saddle forwards or backward as well as up and down

"helpful Sam" from Halfords has said it will take a little while to get used to, if I would rather be more upright I should fit a longer adjustable stem (about £20). He also said it's a completely different riding position on a mountain bike compared to my hybrid I've been used to riding, where I'm completely upright.

 

[fossyant]

All depends upon setup. You may be able to flip the stem if it's not already flipped. Sitting really upright isn't great, and will affect the handling on an MTB. Dont forget it will take a while to adjust to the bike.

My MTB is as close to my road bikes as possible - small frame, and the saddle is higher than the bars by about 10cm (which is unusual for a typical MTB).

 

[jonny jeez]

"helpful Sam" from Halfords has said it will take a little while to get used to, if I would rather be more upright I should fit a longer adjustable stem (about £20). He also said it's a completely different riding position on a mountain bike compared to my hybrid I've been used to riding, where I'm completely upright.

I think "helpfull Sam" is actually right, a hybrid will be more upright than an MTB. I also suspect an Apollo will be designed for more general riding and so will likely not have the more upright set up of some more higher end MTBs.

Now, to much more important issues. I'm only asking because everyone is thinking it ...but too shy to ask.

Do you actually look like your avatar?

please feel free to lie...for my sake

Oh and welcome by the way

 

[Juliet42]

I think "helpfull Sam" is actually right, a hybrid will be more upright than an MTB. I also suspect an Apollo will be designed for more general riding and so will likely not have the more upright set up of some more higher end MTBs.

Now, to much more important issues. I'm only asking because everyone is thinking it ...but too shy to ask.

Do you actually look like your avatar?

please feel free to lie...for my sake

Oh and welcome by the way

Do I look like my Avatar? According to my daughter, (and she's a teenager, so always right!), she reckons as near as damn it!

 

[Juliet42]

All depends upon setup. You may be able to flip the stem if it's not already flipped. Sitting really upright isn't great, and will affect the handling on an MTB. Dont forget it will take a while to adjust to the bike.

My MTB is as close to my road bikes as possible - small frame, and the saddle is higher than the bars by about 10cm (which is unusual for a typical MTB).

I think you are right, I need time to adjust to it. As for flipping the stem, you lost me there! Fitting accessories I can do, beyond that never attempted it.

 

[ianjmcd]

undo 4 bolts that hold handlebar to stem , then undo the two bolts that hold stem to the steerer tube (thats the bit that sticks out the top of forks) flip the stem up the other way and see if it lifts the handlebars higher

i doubt it will as the apollo have quite a high stem anyway

 

[Juliet42]

undo 4 bolts that hold handlebar to stem , then undo the two bolts that hold stem to the steerer tube (thats the bit that sticks out the top of forks) flip the stem up the other way and see if it lifts the handlebars higher

i doubt it will as the apollo have quite a high stem anyway

Thank you, I think I might be able to manage that!

 

[ianjmcd]

just remember to tighten the bolts back up on the handlebar properly