Poor frame sizing
Discussion
I am no expert on this so I may be wrong but I took part in a Mountain Bike event at the weekend http://www.testvalleytour.com/hot_mtb.htm (50KM) and I could not believe the number of people who appeared to be riding bikes where the frame size was to small for them. These were not borrowed bikes as they were all pretty expensive and the riders looked serious but they were cramped up on frames where they could barely straighten their legs or knees clear the handlebars. I can't believe someone would spend £3K on a bike and not have it fitted.
tuffer said:
I am no expert on this so I may be wrong but I took part in a Mountain Bike event at the weekend http://www.testvalleytour.com/hot_mtb.htm (50KM) and I could not believe the number of people who appeared to be riding bikes where the frame size was to small for them. These were not borrowed bikes as they were all pretty expensive and the riders looked serious but they were cramped up on frames where they could barely straighten their legs or knees clear the handlebars. I can't believe someone would spend £3K on a bike and not have it fitted.
Some seem to buy smaller bikes as they feel they are more 'chuckable' through the trails. Personally I ride a '5-bar gate' on wheels...!when i bought the cervelo i tried a 54cm and the guy in the shop said it was too small despite it feeling right to me, i tried a 56cm and realised he was talking sense. we talked about it and he said that too many shops will yield to the customer these days and sell the bike that the customer thinks is the right fit rather than the bike that the salesmen knows is the right fit. i guess its the difference between a sale or not.
its also quite trendy to have a small frame, a few 650s have popped up around Bristol and the huge exposed seatpost look seems popular as it must mean you are fast....
its also quite trendy to have a small frame, a few 650s have popped up around Bristol and the huge exposed seatpost look seems popular as it must mean you are fast....
i dont buy this "chuckable" thing, most people on small bikes look terrified and are so sketchy becuase its so cramped that they darent throw their weight around for fear of falling off. i think its mostly about the image. everyone seems to want to ride xc on dirt jump bikes in Bristol...
I think there's a difference between a 'small' bike and a 'short' bike. For example BMX frames are sized on the length of their top tubes, rather than the seat tube.
Most of my bikes are smalls, my jump bike is, I think 13.5" or 14.5" - however they all have fairly long top tubes, which doesn't matter that much since I'm only 5'9.
It does depend a lot on what kind of riding you want to do though, I mostly use mine for going down things fast.. the ability to go uphill is a desired trait but not an essential one.
Having a small bike means I can chuck it around a lot better
Most of my bikes are smalls, my jump bike is, I think 13.5" or 14.5" - however they all have fairly long top tubes, which doesn't matter that much since I'm only 5'9.
It does depend a lot on what kind of riding you want to do though, I mostly use mine for going down things fast.. the ability to go uphill is a desired trait but not an essential one.
Having a small bike means I can chuck it around a lot better
I'm 5'11 and pretty much have always favoured a smaller frame. Chuckability to me means that the bike is like a lever the shorter the better which gives me more control without having to wrestle extra weight out at the end of that lever IYKWIM. I had a 56cm road bike and it felt like I was riding a farm gate. I ride a 52 now and it is perfect.
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