Standover heights?!?

[Cari]

I'm 5'1/2 and I have a Titus Racer X in an XS. I chose Titus because of the steeper seat tube angle that most mtn bikes don't have.

Could you get a custom frame that would have the travel that you want?

Kathi: Sorry if this is a dumb question, but... What's a steeper seat tube angle? Does that mean that the seat is set further back than the bottom bracket, or the opposite of that?

The only custom bikes I'm truly familiar with are Independent Fabrication, since I have one of their Crown Jewels (a steel road bike). Their fullie is called the Tungsten Electrode. My mechanic and riding buddy advised me against it -- said that it was overpriced and that the rear shock wasn't very good. It certainly is expensive, but I don't know anything about suspensions, so I don't really have an opinion. I can call them and see if they can make me something that will fit.

Why can't they put a 100mm fork on the XS? I too have a Titus Racer X XS, but I chose an 80mm fork.

Yellow: In the Racer-X geometry tables they have separate lists for sizes designed for an 80mm and a 100mm fork. There's XXS - S for 80mm and S-XL for 100mm. I guess I might be able to fit on an XS if I use a seatpost with setback and a long-ish stem. What made you decide to go with the 80mm fork?

Cari, have you looked at a Marin Mt Vision? I'm a smidge shorter than you and have one with a 100 mm fork on it. It has a longer wheelbase than the Racer X.

Kate: I'll check out the Marin Mt. Vision. I've heard that Marin bikes are heavy but very plush. Is that true? I was hoping for something light (unlike my mule-ish Tassajara). Then again, the same mechanic who advised me about IF's Tungsten Electrode told me that he'd buy a Marin Mt. Vision Pro.

Another dumb question: Is there a particular benefit to having a longer wheelbase?

I haven't a clue what my inseam is. I set all my saddles at 70cm from the ctr of the crank to the top of the saddle.

I checked that same measurement as a comparison: on my road bike it's 67cm, and 65.5cm on the mtb. Maybe you have sexy long legs? What size road bike do you use? (Mine's a 50.)

What type of trails are you riding?

Until now I've limited myself to riding in open spaces -- bumpy, with some climbs and such, but hardly anything technical. I figured I'd hone my skills and get into better shape and then move on the real stuff. The only real trail I've ridden so far was last Sunday! Some friends went to practice because their next race is there and they brought me along so I could try their bikes. There were slippery rocky areas, steep muddy climbs, some parts with lots of roots to ride over, switchbacks, and some scary bits where you have a short, steep descent followed by a sharp turn (miss the turn and you hit a tree.) I did OK, I think -- fell only 3 times in about 1.5 hours -- but I was on the Ventana Saltamontes with the 125mm fork on the first lap, and then the Racer-X with 100mm on the second lap. I don't think I could have done all that on my current bike.

What I have on my hardtail right now is an 80mm Fox fork. Do you think that maybe I don't need the 100mm?

What about Yeti and Intense?

I don't know anything about them (don't know about many brands, period) but I'm very open to suggestions so I'll check their websites.