mountain bike fit?

[SadieKate]

I'm sorry, but no way would I ride a mtbike with less than maybe 8" of clearance. Mtbikes have been built with steeper and steeper angled top tubes over the years because of clearance problems. In a quick dismount, you do not want only 2'' of clearance.

Here I am on the largest of my mtbikes. It is set up more as a freeride ride than an XC and has the least amount of clearance of any of my bikes (maybe 9"??). I'm just sitting back, kind of trackstanding so Veronica can take a pic, but you can see how much clearance there is. Just google around the web and take a look at the bikes the pros ride. Both the reach (cockpit length) and standover are critical.

[SadieKate]

Here's the same bike from the side (please feel free to ooh and ah over Mathilda's new pink wheels ). You can't always put a foot down on the same level as your wheels or the ground may be unstable or you may come off at higher speed than desired. Not to mention, if the bike is too big it's just durn heavy. I am 5'3 3/8" with long arms and legs/short torso so you get an idea of the size.

[tattiefritter]

SadieKate,

I was referring to minimum clearance when standing astride the bike not actually sitting on it. My bike is set up similar to yours with about 9 inches of seatpost out. My roadbike only has about 5 inches of seatpost out (on a compact frame) and that worries me.

Those rims are cool and I'm not a pink person!

[SadieKate]

You're right, Tattiefritter, but 2" would still worry me. I ride the XS Titus Racer-X frame and I have my saddle 27-27.5 inches from the ctr of the crank. We probably ride similar sizes.

Since mtbikes come in such a wide variety of frame designs, I really think it helps to look at how people look on a bike.

[tattiefritter]

I ride an XS Titus MotoLite - absolutely stunning frame! I will be having a social ride tomorrow, I'll pay attention to exactly how much clearance I have then but I have quite short legs anyway.

You're right about how people "look" on a bike, I saw your pictures and thought it was "right" - decent amount of seatpost out and not stretched, easy to throw the bike around. You look like you are in the bike and in control rather than being dragged around by it as a passenger.

The MotoLite is the frame in my avatar picture and looks tiny, if I wasn't a complete numpty I would post a bigger picture of it so you could see but it appears to have disappeared off my PC.

[bcipam]

SadieKate,

I was referring to minimum clearance when standing astride the bike not actually sitting on it. My bike is set up similar to yours with about 9 inches of seatpost out. My roadbike only has about 5 inches of seatpost out (on a compact frame) and that worries me.

Those rims are cool and I'm not a pink person!

That's what I meant as well, With feet on ground the clearance should be at least 2 " but more is OK.

[VW Beetle]

I recently bought my first mountain bike, and although nothing is actually uncomfortable, I am beginning to worry that I should have purchased the smaller size. In particular, if you are new to mountain biking, your roadie instincts about proper fit may be very misleading.

I am 5'7 with a ~31.5"-32" inseam (long legs, short torso). The two LBS guys helping me with my purchase disagreed about whether I was a better fit for a 15" or a 17". I went with a 17" WSD Rockhopper, which actually has the reach of the 15" men's model, but the height of a 17" model. At the time I purchased it, I thought the reach was very close (almost too close) and my greater concern was that I might be buying a bike that was too small. (My understanding is that Rockhoppers are known as relatively short reach bikes, in contrast to Gary Fisher and others known for their longer reach). I have 3" of standover clearance and 6.5" of visible seatpost. I am not uncomfortable in any way, but I do have this nagging suspicion that the 15" would be more chuckable and nimble, as others have aptly put it.

PS: I have most often read 3"-6" of standover clearance is ideal, with standover measured by standing astride the bike, lifting it by the seat and bars, and assessing how far from the ground the wheels are.

[shasta]

Ok, now I am curious. I am 5'11" with an inseam of 36. What size am I looking at?

I sat on a Trek 820 last night and liked it. No pink or yellow ones though!

[madisongrrl]

Ok, now I am curious. I am 5'11" with an inseam of 36. What size am I looking at?

I sat on a Trek 820 last night and liked it. No pink or yellow ones though!

It looks like the Trek 820 comes in a variety of sizes (you can check the website). Just find the hardtail mountain bike section. The 820 will be under the steel frame section. Then click on the geometry headline on top of the picture of the bike. The sizes range from 13-24" and the standover heights range from 23.5 to a whopping 34.3"

[bcipam]

I recently bought my first mountain bike, and although nothing is actually uncomfortable, I am beginning to worry that I should have purchased the smaller size. In particular, if you are new to mountain biking, your roadie instincts about proper fit may be very misleading.

I am 5'7 with a ~31.5"-32" inseam (long legs, short torso). The two LBS guys helping me with my purchase disagreed about whether I was a better fit for a 15" or a 17". I went with a 17" WSD Rockhopper, which actually has the reach of the 15" men's model, but the height of a 17" model. At the time I purchased it, I thought the reach was very close (almost too close) and my greater concern was that I might be buying a bike that was too small. (My understanding is that Rockhoppers are known as relatively short reach bikes, in contrast to Gary Fisher and others known for their longer reach). I have 3" of standover clearance and 6.5" of visible seatpost. I am not uncomfortable in any way, but I do have this nagging suspicion that the 15" would be more chuckable and nimble, as others have aptly put it.

PS: I have most often read 3"-6" of standover clearance is ideal, with standover measured by standing astride the bike, lifting it by the seat and bars, and assessing how far from the ground the wheels are.

Sometimes you have to ride the bike awhile to get comfortable on it. You can also change out the stem length (shorten it) and pull the reach closer. I ride the 17" men's Spec. Stump and it fits me fine. I even have fairly short arms and I'm OK. I can't recall if I change out the stem. I might have. The 17 WSD s/b OK. If not, take it back to the shop and ask them to help you adjust the fit.

Now strangely my Fisher has a shorter reach but it is a slightly smaller bike (16.5") so maybe that's why.