Frame Size help!

Jaysin · 03-24-2004, 08:11 PM

So I am looking into getting another hardtail....preferably a 15" .243, or a 14" Snipes Elemental.....

Now I am 6'1, 210, and I dont want a bike where my knees are going to be banging up on the handlbars....My letoy 3 was a Large, and it fit a lil big...So I was just wondering, is there anyone here who is over 6' and rides a 14 or 15 inch hardtail??

Thanks for your help

jaysin

aShogunNamedMarcus · 03-24-2004, 08:42 PM

I used to own a 15" stuff and at 5'10 or 11, I found that was borderline pushing it size wise. You could try a 16" Morphine or Scirroco - that could be a good in between size.

edit: I now a ride 12" hardtail. But thats an Imperial. Some people have complained that it feels a little long or laid back with the slack seat tube so it may be another consideration. If you got the cash, I'd highly recommend it.

bullit_kid · 03-24-2004, 09:20 PM

jayssssin, im 6'3 and i ride a 13 inch cove hardtail...

Scotian_Lotion · 03-24-2004, 09:31 PM

I'm 6'3" and had a 15" .243. I could pedal sitting down and my knees didn't bang off the bars... they were close, but nothing too uncomfortable.

It was perfect size for it's intended purpose. Had to get my back to adjust to it on trail rides (it got sore quick at first). You won't have any problems with that frame.

polytics · 03-24-2004, 09:38 PM

Just remember most frame sizes are just a seat tube measurment... as such athe 13" Balfa Minute Man I spent some considerable time on (size regular) fit very similarily to my old 17" Kona Roast. Find the top tube dimension of a full size bike that fits you (19" or 20"? somewhere in there) and then buy shorter seat tube bike with the same top tube length...

I'd recommend the size "Long" 13" (seat tube) Balfa MinuteMan as one of the best handling and most versatile free ride hardtails out there. Good tire clearance, horizontal drops if you want to run it SS, and the weight for a frame that strong is very reasonable.

Btw: never go to buy a bike without taking a measuring tape... the archaic method of measuring seat tube lengths means nothing in today's freeride world. If you find a hardtail, or FS bike, that works for you (it may not work for everyone else) then record some of the dimensions ((BB height with and without sag, top tube length (sometimes has to be "effective top tube length), H-bar height from the ground, chainstay length...)) it can help you indetermining your size with in another brands measurements.

edit: I found out the hard way how a drastic difference in chainstay length, or headangle, or top tube length, or BB height can affect the ride of a bicycle... I don't like being up in the clouds on FS bikes and I don't like long chainstays on hardtails...

methods · 03-24-2004, 09:51 PM

Yeah I'm 6'2 and I ride a 13" .243
Just get the large and it will fit fine.

cameron · 03-24-2004, 10:10 PM

i'm 6'2" and ride the 15" 243....err.... I did...

Bryce · 03-24-2004, 10:16 PM

6'0" and 15" .243 feels good.

its kind of a short seattube for pedalling uphill though.

Mountain Dewd · 03-24-2004, 10:16 PM

i am 5 8 ride a 13 inch .243 and am no help at all.

If you are looking for a bike you are actually gonna climb make sure you get something that fits, if you are riding street or dj you could ride a 13 inch frame but for trails i think that would be torture. I hate riding my .243 with the seat up, the top tube is so short, but a large frame might be better. I would look into a 16 in or even bigger frame with a good sized top tube if you are gonna ride trails but if it is for street and dirt jumping a smaller frame will be fine.

03-24-2004, 08:11 PM	#1
Jaysin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Vernon Posts: 12,215 Rep Power: 909753	Frame Size help! So I am looking into getting another hardtail....preferably a 15" .243, or a 14" Snipes Elemental..... Now I am 6'1, 210, and I dont want a bike where my knees are going to be banging up on the handlbars....My letoy 3 was a Large, and it fit a lil big...So I was just wondering, is there anyone here who is over 6' and rides a 14 or 15 inch hardtail?? Thanks for your help jaysin

03-24-2004, 09:38 PM	#5
polytics Biking! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oz... or maybe my closet... I'm unsure Posts: 485 Rep Power: 11	Just remember most frame sizes are just a seat tube measurment... as such athe 13" Balfa Minute Man I spent some considerable time on (size regular) fit very similarily to my old 17" Kona Roast. Find the top tube dimension of a full size bike that fits you (19" or 20"? somewhere in there) and then buy shorter seat tube bike with the same top tube length... I'd recommend the size "Long" 13" (seat tube) Balfa MinuteMan as one of the best handling and most versatile free ride hardtails out there. Good tire clearance, horizontal drops if you want to run it SS, and the weight for a frame that strong is very reasonable. Btw: never go to buy a bike without taking a measuring tape... the archaic method of measuring seat tube lengths means nothing in today's freeride world. If you find a hardtail, or FS bike, that works for you (it may not work for everyone else) then record some of the dimensions ((BB height with and without sag, top tube length (sometimes has to be "effective top tube length), H-bar height from the ground, chainstay length...)) it can help you indetermining your size with in another brands measurements. edit: I found out the hard way how a drastic difference in chainstay length, or headangle, or top tube length, or BB height can affect the ride of a bicycle... I don't like being up in the clouds on FS bikes and I don't like long chainstays on hardtails... Last edited by polytics; 03-24-2004 at 09:44 PM.

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03-24-2004, 09:20 PM	#3
bullit_kid ... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: somewhere Posts: 4,251 Rep Power: 2117	jayssssin, im 6'3 and i ride a 13 inch cove hardtail...

03-24-2004, 09:31 PM	#4
Scotian_Lotion Leakproof Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Waterloo Has No Water Posts: 55 Rep Power: 0	I'm 6'3" and had a 15" .243. I could pedal sitting down and my knees didn't bang off the bars... they were close, but nothing too uncomfortable. It was perfect size for it's intended purpose. Had to get my back to adjust to it on trail rides (it got sore quick at first). You won't have any problems with that frame.

03-24-2004, 09:51 PM	#6
methods Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: inverted necromountain of necrodeathmortem Posts: 2,445 Rep Power: 11420	Yeah I'm 6'2 and I ride a 13" .243 Just get the large and it will fit fine.

03-24-2004, 10:16 PM	#8
Bryce Registered Abuser Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: high as f%*k Posts: 6,966 Rep Power: 3079311	6'0" and 15" .243 feels good. its kind of a short seattube for pedalling uphill though.

03-24-2004, 10:16 PM	#9
Mountain Dewd the dewd abides Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: whistler Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 760	i am 5 8 ride a 13 inch .243 and am no help at all. If you are looking for a bike you are actually gonna climb make sure you get something that fits, if you are riding street or dj you could ride a 13 inch frame but for trails i think that would be torture. I hate riding my .243 with the seat up, the top tube is so short, but a large frame might be better. I would look into a 16 in or even bigger frame with a good sized top tube if you are gonna ride trails but if it is for street and dirt jumping a smaller frame will be fine.