Sizing Question

[dark_horse]

For those out there that are 5'10, do you typically find medium or large frames fit you better? It seems that most manufacturers almost always makes this height the largest size recommended for their medium frames and the smallest size recommended for their large frames. I have longer arms and longer legs (33in riding inseam) and I have yet to find a bike that fits "right." Does any one else that is the same or similar height find it hard to find a bike that feels like it fits?

[Bigred15]

I have that exact problem. My arms and legs are long for someone who is 5'10-5'11". I'm actually a tad worse in that I have a 34" inseam. Finding a mountain bike that fits is extremely difficult. Because of my back problems, I typically lean towards a smaller bike so I'm not super stretched out. But then I have to worry about seat tube length and not having enough seat post. Eventually I decided to purchase a custom built bike that was designed around my body and riding style. See my post about it here. While that was the answer for me, it may not be the best answer for you.

My suggestion is to looking into 18" frames. Most bike manufactures mediums are 17.5" and larges are 19"; that 17.5/19 number usually refers to the seat tube length. A 18" inch frame usually splits the difference, with a 18"/457mm seat tube and a effective top tube around 23.6/600mm however they are not that common. My Haro Mary SS is an 18" and it fits great. The Niner full suspension medium bikes are sized around 18", that is why reviewers say they run big. Their hardtails are a tad different though, thier seat tube is 1.5" shorter while the top tube remains the same. I run out of seat post on their hardtails.

Giant is another manufacturer that builds Medium sized bikes at 18". Redline makes bikes that run a tad smaller that the size woudl indicate. Their 19" frames run a top tube in the 605mm range, however there may be a stand over height problem with that size frame.

Bottom line is that you have to keep trying until you find something that feels right. I never could which is why I went to a custom bike, that and I really wanted one.

[dark_horse]

Thanks for the advice, Bigred15. It is good (not sure if that is the right word haha) to know others have this problem. I generally try to look at top tube length and stack/reach, but since I don't really have a bike that I feel fits "right" it is hard to say what my ideal sizing should be. I recently went through the sizing method on competitive cyclist website and it basically told me what I already suspected. I have found GT 29r bikes usually fit pretty well, and same with Mongoose (because they both typically spec their mediums at 18). However, Mongoose will no longer be selling their bikes in the US, which rules them out.

A custom bike isn't in the cards for me for a couple of reasons. One, and most importantly, they are pricey. Second, I have a tendency to "swap" bikes every two years. I'm hoping to stop this but I honestly doubt I will. I can usually be a little spendy, but would never be the person rocking the $6k bike.

Maybe I need to give Giant another look. The two bikes I am eying right now is the Jamis Dragon 650B and Transition Bandit 29er. The Bandit 29er specs a tiny top tube it seems. The Jamis, in the medium, is about as short as a top tube as I would like to go I think. I prefer a FS bike, but wouldn't mind having a good steel hardtail again, either. I tend to like a little slacker geometry, but I am no means a truly "aggressive" rider, I just aspire to be!

-Patrick