Mountain bike sizing - how does this look?

Mountain bike sizing - how does this look?

Author
Discussion

MiltonBaines

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

258 months

Monday 8th February 2021
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Yes they are the Bluepig specs I'm looking at.

Similar to the large whyte I tried which is in the pic at the start. It's specs are below. Slightly larger than the ragley in most directions, not sure if this'll make much difference.

MiltonBaines

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

258 months

Monday 8th February 2021
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My current bikes looks possibly a little worse than that 2005 bike, not quite a horizontal top tube but almost, and my head tube angle is ridiculously high. I really need a new bike.

Gompo

4,506 posts

264 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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I'm 6'3 with an 'L' Sonder Transmitter; without looking it's probably similar geometry to the Ragley.

After a few 100 miles, mainly XC, I've realised it is perhaps a little too small for me. However, I generally prefer smaller bikes and it's only on long seated stretches where I think I could do with the seat a little higher and more cockpit space. I'm sure were I doing more freeride/bike park stuff if would be perfect for me, which was sort of my intention. It already feels massive (long) compared to my older proper MTBs but far more relaxing, which is what I wanted. One my old bikes is a 20' GT, and it feels horrible to sit on and ride in comparison... It is 25+ years old though.

iansp

100 posts

56 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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I'm 6'1" and have a "L" Whyte 905 V3 (same frame as 901 V3) and I definitely would not want a bigger frame.

missing the VR6

2,384 posts

195 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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I've got a custom built 2020 Ragley Mmmbop with a Large frame. I'm 6'1" but have a slightly odd shape body, my inside leg is only 31.5 inches, so short legs long body. I run a 150mm dropper and it's as low in the frame as possible, like that it allows me to have one leg with toes just touching the ground when stationary.

I don't think it's quite as simple as I'm 6'1" I need a L/XL. Maybe if one has a average shape body perhaps.

Pulse

10,922 posts

224 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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I'm not sure if it'll help or not, but my mate has a Piglet (same geo as the Blue Pig, I believe), and he rides an XL. He's 6'5".

I've ridden it, and whilst I could ride it, it's definitely way too big for me. I'm 6'0", with a (roughly) 33" inside leg. I ride an L Kona Big Honzo ST.

I'd suggest you need the L, based on that - but as ever, it's always best to try it. Remember most/all new bikes (including the Blue Pig) will already have pretty much the shortest stem you can get, so it's not as easy to reduce your reach if required (which is the issue I'd have with my mate's XL Piglet).

I hope that helps.

MiltonBaines

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

258 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
quotequote all
Thanks all, it really is a minefield, I have 33in inside leg so similar to above poster. Piglet is similar so was useful to know your thoughts on that in XL.

The Sonder in large does seem quite oddly sized, a short TTE of 623 but a longish reach of 462 - so reach is similar to BluePig but sitting I'd probably be cramped on the shorter Sonder.

The BluePig large seems to sit inbetween a Nukeproof large and extra large too, I have so many geo charts bookmarked and scribbled down that I'm loosing track. It is really is a minefield buying a bike blind in the current climate.

Gompo

4,506 posts

264 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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MiltonBaines said:
The Sonder in large does seem quite oddly sized, a short TTE of 623 but a longish reach of 462 - so reach is similar to BluePig but sitting I'd probably be cramped on the shorter Sonder.
As mentioned previously I was intending more free-ride/bike park fun type riding and my reference points were both 18" and 20" GTs from the 90s, I far prefered riding the 18" back in the day for that sort of thing, more top tube clearance and easier to lift the wheels. For XC/distance, the 20" may have meant I was slightly quicker, but not as comfortable. I assume given your choice of the Ragley you're not intending much XC/bike hike kind of stuff.

I picked the Sonder up 2nd hand when demand was perhaps at it's highest last year, admittedly I could have found an XL a little easier. It was relatively local so just bit the bullet. The seller of mine had fitted a slightly longer stem than the original which I kept fitted, I sometimes suffer with back and neck issues (not related to biking) so I really didn't want to possibly aggravate these with any sort of stretch - Realistically I think an XL with a proper stubby stem would be fine for me but I didn't want to risk it.

..It is all personal though, were I 6'1 I'd not be considering an XL. I probably look a little cramped when in the saddle on the Transmitter, in the way you feel on the Whyte you tried.

MiltonBaines

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

258 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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Thanks for the reply. I intend to take this to Swinley for some flowy trails, maybe some other bike trails in time, possibly Chicksands. I'm certainly not a gnarly jumper but I want some fun. Locally we have a few downhill trails in woods that are fun to mess around on for an hour or two. I may have a few sedate rides with the kids on bridal ways but I don't want a bike that just suits that.
I want an mX5 in bike form really.

MiltonBaines

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

258 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
quotequote all
I think from all the geo charts and advice I could have a large ragley but at times may feel a little cramped as its smaller than the Whyte I tried. Or I take an XL Ragley and shorten the stem to bring the measurements closer to the Whyte when seated and roomier reach when standing.

missing the VR6

2,384 posts

195 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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I've just compared my Mmmbop to the Blue Pig and they're incredibly close in size. I'm in Crawley and often go to Swinley, will be a few more weeks before I can due to knee injury but if you can wait, I'd be happy to meet you there and you could give it a whirl.

MiltonBaines

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

258 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
quotequote all
They're essentially the same bike, alu or steel. Like you say numbers are almost identical, a couple of mm difference here and there, so close it would be hugely useful if I could see your mmbop when you are recovered.

missing the VR6

2,384 posts

195 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
quotequote all
MiltonBaines said:
They're essentially the same bike, alu or steel. Like you say numbers are almost identical, a couple of mm difference here and there, so close it would be hugely useful if I could see your mmbop when you are recovered.
No worries, maybe next Sunday might be OK.

Agis

99 posts

246 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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Some great advice from the posters above but just to add the supply of bikes has gone crazy at the moment so don't get too hung up on getting the perfect fit.

Soon as the weather gets even slightly better (if we are still in some sort of lockdown) every man and his dog will be buying up all the bikes (again!) and you will struggle to get anything at all.

It takes a little time to get used to the new world of Long, Low, Slack bikes with huge handlebars but once you do you will never look back. Any of the bikes mentioned above in approximately the right size for you will feel massively superior to what you have ridden before.

Looks like you looking at fairly hardcore hardtails...so to the Ragleys I would add (some already mentioned) Rocky Mountain Growler, Sonder Transmitter, Bird Zero, Norco Torrent, On One Scandal, One One Hello Dave, Cotic BFe etc etc

MiltonBaines

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

258 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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Thanks for the advice and the alternative options. The Cotic looks nice but that would blow my budget sadly.

Tickle

5,242 posts

210 months

Thursday 11th February 2021
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Similar situation to the OP. Had a break from MTB's and was worried about sizing, more because I'm 5'7" and everything on a modern MTB seems bigger! Standover is low and they certainly ride well.

I think we had a similar type of bike in mind, I was also looking at Sonder Transmitter, BFe, Bird AM, Prices Shan. Settled on a Stanton.

Agis

99 posts

246 months

Thursday 11th February 2021
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MiltonBaines said:
Thanks for the advice and the alternative options. The Cotic looks nice but that would blow my budget sadly.
Yes, Cotic's are expensive but really lovely british bikes.

As a cheaper alternative the recently released Canyon Stoic looks good value. Not withstanding any post brexit duty increases.

Mr Scruff

1,343 posts

221 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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I’m 6’ 2” with 33-34 inside leg and just taken delivery of a Orange Clockwork in XL.

Sits alongside an Ellsworth Evolve in L and a 1995 Orange P7 in 21” and all 3 bikes are the correct size for me.

Also have a Superlight in L which is a tiny bit too small for me now I’m 40s!


Mr Scruff

1,343 posts

221 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Agis said:
It takes a little time to get used to the new world of Long, Low, Slack bikes with huge handlebars but once you do you will never look back.
Ain’t that the truth, really not sure about the width of the bars on my new one, they’re bloomin’ huge!

Simes205

4,636 posts

234 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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I’m 5’8 and ride a 2019 Whyte t130s, medium. 27.5.
It’s slack and you sit in the bike.
I’ve a 2020 Santa Cruz Chameleon too medium (29) it’s got a very slack seat tube and you sit even more in that.

It takes a while to get used to these slack angles but try going back!
I’ve still got a Marin riftzone from 2003....you perch on that!


Edited by Simes205 on Saturday 13th February 08:36