paulr

I'm 5 ft 10, inside leg 32in. According to a friend who is into mountain biking, my ideal size would be a 17 or 18 inch frame. In Halfords today the assistant recommended a 20in frame. Unfortunately the bike i'm thinking of is not in stock so i can't try it.

Are there any hard and fast rules regarding MB sizing.

scoobynutta555

You're the same height as me. If its boardman you're looking for I have a medium pro carbon and fits well. I have a large team carbon road bike and that fits too. I'd plump for the medium size on the mtb.
Don't really take any notice of the assistant unless its a proper mechanic 'bike hut' guy, even then it's hit and miss.

nik52wrx

I'm just over six foot and have a 19.5 inch hard tail Trek mountain bike which fits perfectly.

Nik

Matteeboy

I'd say 18 inch - 17 is too small.

paulr

He said for off road, you need a slightly smaller size. For recreational use, go slightly larger, hence the 20 inch recommendation. I'm edging towards the 18in.

Truss

iTrader: (2)

Exactly the same as me. I've got a vitus from chain reaction cycles (so bought unseen) and have an 18" frame. Perfect.

CrisPDuk

I'm 5'11", my MTB has an 18" frame, and tbh if I was to change it, I would go smaller, as it does occasionally get a bit unwieldy. So I would say definitely don't go for the 20"

davyboy

Please don't give Halfords your money.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

My eldest is REALLY into bikes, he owns three trials bikes, a road bike (racer), an MTB with a Titanium frame, and a BMX .

He now builds the bike he wants from the components he wants and can talk frame geometry with the best.

He is 6 foot and rides a 17" frame MTB.

r32

+1

Always difficult to buy unseen. Halfords have no idea, none at all.

Stand over the bike, feet flat on the floor and you should be able to get your hand standing on edge between your body and the top tube. Thats a good rule to use as a starting point.

Also when you get your bike dont have the seat too low, its not necessary to be able to put your feet on the floor whilst sitting on the saddle (as per Halfrauds). At full pedal stroke your leg should be almost straight. Thats with the ball of your foot on the pedal, with your instep on the pedal (never ride with your instep, always the ball of your foot) your leg should be straight, not stretched. If you have your saddle too low it will hurt your knees and tire you out quickly.

Good hunting.

mrmadcap

Some of the sizes that have been discussed in comparison with the height of the riders seem too small. Are you referring to 29'ers?

andy97

iTrader: (1)

I've just bought a Kona Honzo large frame and it is very comfortable but I also have a medium hybrid bike which also is comfortable. Just sit on the bike you're interested in and try out out. Unless the bike a way over/under-sized you will adjust to it

mrmadcap

I'm thinking of buying a Honzo, always had Kona 19" frames (26" wheels) but the small, medium and large sizing is confusing. Are the frames larger for 29" wheels? Guess I'll have to wait and see what they are like to ride.

andy97

iTrader: (1)

No the 29" wheels fit fine for the small frame, I could of got a medium but the large is a good fit too. I fitted bull horn handle grips semi hybrid tyres and a slx 22-36 front derailleiur(got the modding bug) to help me when the legs and lungs start to pack up. This is no lightweight bike, weighing 35lbs with lights, tools and pedals. I didn't buy it for outright speed, more for comfort on longer rides.

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

Go to a cycle shop and try several sizes... I have no idea what kinda bike I have but its silly light, well easy to ride and I love my tassles.

nik52wrx

I was reading recently that halfords are going to start selling Pinarello's

Maybe they should stick to Carreras

Nik

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Nope, not 29" bikes.

The smaller the frame, the quicker the bike will be to "chuck about".

If you look at pro and semi-pro MTB'ers, they all ride small frame with long seat post.

paulr

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499

This was given a best buy tag in this weeks MBUK magazine.

CrisPDuk

What he said

29s are a fad

scoobynutta555

I kinda feel the same way but it was the only way I could get the carbon Boardman I wanted. Bang for buck there's not much to touch the Boardman, the specs are high, the major letdown is the monkey assembling it in branch. I had a lot of issues when buying mine, including them giving me an alloy bike when I paid £400 more for a carbon one and the crank coming loose after 50 miles, incorrectly fitted. No issue in well over a thousand miles since though.

You'll want a medium mountain bike for your height, should be a sticker at the base of the frame with a big M on it.

Matteeboy

It does depend slightly on the make of frame. My old Stumpjumper HT was 17", my newer Cotic Soul is meant to be a 16" but it has a long top tube (I'm 5'8", longish limbed) so fits perfectly.

Just built up a mates Kona Cinder Cone which I sourced - it's a surprise 40th present from his wife and a few mates so I was left in charge of finding the right bike. £999 RRP but this was £640 (2012 model). Put it together yesterday, greased ALL bolts, checked torque, sorted the indexing, gave it a polish up - it looks great IMO. Good spec for the price and very upgradeable.

davyboy

Best buy maybe....but they won't be buying one.

It could cost 6k.....but it still says Halfords all over it. Pay £50 more and go to a proper bike shop. I'd guess you will get 10% off without trying to hard anyway.

...and when you open your garage you will see a premium brand....and not Halfords. I know thats slightly snobby, you want to love the bike, and it to feel a bit special?

Matteeboy

You might struggle, even for £50 more!

Specialized Hardrock would be in budget as would a few other more "known" brands.

My brakes (and fork) were more than that whole bike...