Very upright mtb needed - suggestions?
Discussion
Due to back injury I need an upright mtb. My old bike (Giant Anthem) has already been sold. I know you can tweak any bike but I need it very upright and i don't want the handling to be completely ruined.
I'd also like rigid and singlespeed ideally.
Any suggestions?
I've seen the On One Bootzipper and Kona unit but I'm not sure they are upright enough.
Final issue, the budget is max £500 although 2nd hand is fine. I don't want to spend more until I know I can actually ride again.
Also, I usually go medium size frame. I'm considering a small frame to reduce the reach. Is that a bad idea?
Any suggestions?
I'd also like rigid and singlespeed ideally.
Any suggestions?
I've seen the On One Bootzipper and Kona unit but I'm not sure they are upright enough.
Final issue, the budget is max £500 although 2nd hand is fine. I don't want to spend more until I know I can actually ride again.
Also, I usually go medium size frame. I'm considering a small frame to reduce the reach. Is that a bad idea?
Any suggestions?
An XC MTB like an Anthem typically has quite a low front end, look for something more in the 'trail' rather than XC category. Though that doesn't really go with the singlespeed rigid bike preference! A squishy bike might be more forgiving on the back injury anyway?
If you look up geometry charts for any bikes you are considering, look for a larger 'stack' measurement - that indicates a higher front end. And as you say a shorter reach is less stretched out, but if you go too short it can just feel cramped. Comparing the geometry to your current bike is a start, but be aware newer bike design tend to have longer reach but a steeper seat tube angle to compensate so the seated position (effective top tube on geo charts) is no more stretched out.
www.geometrygeeks.bike is a handy site for comparing different bikes geometry numbers.
You can't always generalise a size as different manufacturers size things differently, I always look at geo numbers now but test riding is still the best option if you can.
Whatever you get, you can always make the position a bit more upright by swapping setup components - eg a shorter stem and higher rise bar will bring the hand position closer and higher.
If you look up geometry charts for any bikes you are considering, look for a larger 'stack' measurement - that indicates a higher front end. And as you say a shorter reach is less stretched out, but if you go too short it can just feel cramped. Comparing the geometry to your current bike is a start, but be aware newer bike design tend to have longer reach but a steeper seat tube angle to compensate so the seated position (effective top tube on geo charts) is no more stretched out.
www.geometrygeeks.bike is a handy site for comparing different bikes geometry numbers.
You can't always generalise a size as different manufacturers size things differently, I always look at geo numbers now but test riding is still the best option if you can.
Whatever you get, you can always make the position a bit more upright by swapping setup components - eg a shorter stem and higher rise bar will bring the hand position closer and higher.
Thanks for the replies.
It does sound odd but there is some logic to it.
I like simple bikes for one. Single speed means I have to get up and move around on the bike to ride it. I used to do long rides in a very fixed position and then struggle to get off the bike at the end. Being forced to move around regularly is a good thing.
The geometry site is interesting. I'll have a good look.
It does sound odd but there is some logic to it.
I like simple bikes for one. Single speed means I have to get up and move around on the bike to ride it. I used to do long rides in a very fixed position and then struggle to get off the bike at the end. Being forced to move around regularly is a good thing.
The geometry site is interesting. I'll have a good look.
breamster said:
Thanks for the replies.
It does sound odd but there is some logic to it.
I like simple bikes for one. Single speed means I have to get up and move around on the bike to ride it. I used to do long rides in a very fixed position and then struggle to get off the bike at the end. Being forced to move around regularly is a good thing.
The geometry site is interesting. I'll have a good look.
I get the simple bike thing - my next bike will likely be a singlespeed gravel bike or rigid MTB.It does sound odd but there is some logic to it.
I like simple bikes for one. Single speed means I have to get up and move around on the bike to ride it. I used to do long rides in a very fixed position and then struggle to get off the bike at the end. Being forced to move around regularly is a good thing.
The geometry site is interesting. I'll have a good look.
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