Mountain bike sizing - how does this look?
Discussion
So a bit of an update.
I had a fun weekend meeting a couple of PHers and trying their bikes. Most I've driven since all this mess began, had to put petrol in my car for the first time since last September!
Anyway, the important stuff first. Thank you much to everyone who offered advice in this thread but in particular 'Fas1975' and 'missing the VR6' who both gave up part of their weekend to meet me and let me ride their bikes. Actually getting in the saddle made so much difference, the geo charts just don't give a true picture of what a bike is really like. 'Fas1975' and 'missing the VR6' are both top guys and it was a pleasure to meet you both, you've both stopped me from making a very costly mistake.
mtVR6 showed me his Ragley mmmbop, this was basically the same bike as I hoped to buy but alu rather than steel. Same geo and a size large just as the charts and bike shops recommended I get. As lovely as the bike was, it was just far too small for me. I was cramped and although it was fun to pedal on the BMX track for a couple of laps it would not have suited me for a ride any longer than a few minutes. This really surprised me, all it's measurements seemed huge to me, far bigger than what I ride at the moment but when put together they make a bike too small for me sadly. It was a long drive but so worth it just to discount the bike. I'm getting back the deposit I have on a large BluePig. The sizing charts on this one just really don't tell the full story. I don't think anyone can look at the picture below and think it fits. Another thing that surprised me was the paint finish quality that VR6 pointed out to me, his shorts rubbing on the top tube occasionally had destroyed the paint and elsewhere it had marked so easily. VR6 said he hadn't mistreated it but it was just poor quality paint.
Fas1975 showed me his Rocky Mountain Growler XL and Whyte 603 XL. On paper both seemed huge, the Growler in particular looked ridiculously big. But the big surprise was just how right they both felt. The Whyte was the smaller of the two with slightly less aggressive geo but reach and TTE-wise it felt good and was a fun pedal. The Growler was the revelation of the weekend, it's reach of 500, TTE of 670 and wheelbase of 1271 felt great, I was sat in the bike, not on it and it wasn't the huge monster to ride that I thought it would be. In fact it felt pretty perfect. The 29er 2.6wide wheels seemed huge but they were bound to compared to the 26er I ride now. I know you shouldn't just go on photos and looks but of all the side view pics I've taken now, this bike seems to be the one that looks as though it fits. I thought 29er wheels would look ridiculous but they actually suit my size. I've read the various 27.5 vs 29er debate forum threads points out pros and cons for both and I'm sure I could live with both. Looks -wise I think they work better on an XL frame than 27.5 wheels which still look a bit diddy on a big bike.
So the outcome of all this is I now know the basic geo numbers that fit me and the style of bike I want. 'Agis' suggested a Cotic BFe and many hours of research and watching YT reviews has now pushed me to go after one of them. Sam, one of the owners of Cotic even responded to my barrage of questions by email with a phone call this afternoon and we chatted numbers and geo for half an hour. The BFe Max XL is pretty much the same size as the Growler XL with almost identical geo. Sam has also found other 6ft1 ish riders have preferred to size up a little from the large suggested on their site's chart. So that's what I'm after, the measurements all seem right and if it has the same or better feel as the Growler then I will be happy. The only fly in the ointment is of course they are not back in stock until August. Still, gives me time to save a little more and to hone my very basic skills on the hire bikes at Swinley.
So once again thanks Fas1975 and missingtheVR6, you were both a huge help and I'm a lot more confident with my decision than I was last week. Cheers all.
I had a fun weekend meeting a couple of PHers and trying their bikes. Most I've driven since all this mess began, had to put petrol in my car for the first time since last September!
Anyway, the important stuff first. Thank you much to everyone who offered advice in this thread but in particular 'Fas1975' and 'missing the VR6' who both gave up part of their weekend to meet me and let me ride their bikes. Actually getting in the saddle made so much difference, the geo charts just don't give a true picture of what a bike is really like. 'Fas1975' and 'missing the VR6' are both top guys and it was a pleasure to meet you both, you've both stopped me from making a very costly mistake.
mtVR6 showed me his Ragley mmmbop, this was basically the same bike as I hoped to buy but alu rather than steel. Same geo and a size large just as the charts and bike shops recommended I get. As lovely as the bike was, it was just far too small for me. I was cramped and although it was fun to pedal on the BMX track for a couple of laps it would not have suited me for a ride any longer than a few minutes. This really surprised me, all it's measurements seemed huge to me, far bigger than what I ride at the moment but when put together they make a bike too small for me sadly. It was a long drive but so worth it just to discount the bike. I'm getting back the deposit I have on a large BluePig. The sizing charts on this one just really don't tell the full story. I don't think anyone can look at the picture below and think it fits. Another thing that surprised me was the paint finish quality that VR6 pointed out to me, his shorts rubbing on the top tube occasionally had destroyed the paint and elsewhere it had marked so easily. VR6 said he hadn't mistreated it but it was just poor quality paint.
Fas1975 showed me his Rocky Mountain Growler XL and Whyte 603 XL. On paper both seemed huge, the Growler in particular looked ridiculously big. But the big surprise was just how right they both felt. The Whyte was the smaller of the two with slightly less aggressive geo but reach and TTE-wise it felt good and was a fun pedal. The Growler was the revelation of the weekend, it's reach of 500, TTE of 670 and wheelbase of 1271 felt great, I was sat in the bike, not on it and it wasn't the huge monster to ride that I thought it would be. In fact it felt pretty perfect. The 29er 2.6wide wheels seemed huge but they were bound to compared to the 26er I ride now. I know you shouldn't just go on photos and looks but of all the side view pics I've taken now, this bike seems to be the one that looks as though it fits. I thought 29er wheels would look ridiculous but they actually suit my size. I've read the various 27.5 vs 29er debate forum threads points out pros and cons for both and I'm sure I could live with both. Looks -wise I think they work better on an XL frame than 27.5 wheels which still look a bit diddy on a big bike.
So the outcome of all this is I now know the basic geo numbers that fit me and the style of bike I want. 'Agis' suggested a Cotic BFe and many hours of research and watching YT reviews has now pushed me to go after one of them. Sam, one of the owners of Cotic even responded to my barrage of questions by email with a phone call this afternoon and we chatted numbers and geo for half an hour. The BFe Max XL is pretty much the same size as the Growler XL with almost identical geo. Sam has also found other 6ft1 ish riders have preferred to size up a little from the large suggested on their site's chart. So that's what I'm after, the measurements all seem right and if it has the same or better feel as the Growler then I will be happy. The only fly in the ointment is of course they are not back in stock until August. Still, gives me time to save a little more and to hone my very basic skills on the hire bikes at Swinley.
So once again thanks Fas1975 and missingtheVR6, you were both a huge help and I'm a lot more confident with my decision than I was last week. Cheers all.
Glad you got some solid hands on experience and advice to form a consensus.
Cotic are a great firm and (like Bird) I think there is a great deal to be said about buying from a small british company where you can actually contact the owners/designers etc and get there input. The after sales support is supposed to be great as well.
Now you got to choose the spec/colour etc. The Blue and the Yellow is sound.
Yeah online cotic seem to have a good rep and speaking to one of the owners/designers was hugely helpful. Nearer the time we'll speak again to refine spec. Sam was even fine when I mentioned limited budget and is happy to advise where savings can be made. The blue or yellow would definitely be my choice though aside from the blue all the colours will probably be replaced over the summer apparently. So who knows what colour I'll have come August! Thanks for directing me to them to start with.
Having moved out to within walking distance of Swinley, let alone cycling distance, I've decided to get a new MTB to take advantage of my location. While jobless after 1st lockdown kicked in last spring, I dusted off the cobwebs of my old heap that Diamondback MTB that I've owned since (wait for it) 1990.....and which for 15 years got used as my daily to work bike as well the odd foray onto local tracks and park trails in London, so not really proper stuff.
Only the frame is original and one wheel are original, everything else has been replaced once or twice, but its now all in need of redoing again, and not worth it, especially given the vintage style and design, and I enjoyed riding it around the local cycle lanes last summer, even though it is pretty knackered now. I'd not really ridden it for probably 10+ years up to that point.
I'm knocking on the door of 60 years old now, so don't want anything extreme as I won't be doing anything extreme, but, after months of walking in Swinley, and the occasional ride down there, but not on the off-track trails, I fancy doing more, but the old heap is not for that. But, I'm also, 6ft, with a similar 33" inside leg length.
Seems to be a bit of a minefield though and I clearly need to swot up on my lingo and terminology first
Only the frame is original and one wheel are original, everything else has been replaced once or twice, but its now all in need of redoing again, and not worth it, especially given the vintage style and design, and I enjoyed riding it around the local cycle lanes last summer, even though it is pretty knackered now. I'd not really ridden it for probably 10+ years up to that point.
I'm knocking on the door of 60 years old now, so don't want anything extreme as I won't be doing anything extreme, but, after months of walking in Swinley, and the occasional ride down there, but not on the off-track trails, I fancy doing more, but the old heap is not for that. But, I'm also, 6ft, with a similar 33" inside leg length.
Seems to be a bit of a minefield though and I clearly need to swot up on my lingo and terminology first
Have this coming in May, deposit down and order confirmed. Very very similar geo to the Growler I tried so am confident it'll suit me. I can personalise the spec a little so need to do some research into stems, tyres and bash guards maybe but will pester you all for advice in a new thread for that.
Have to say so far the customer service at Cotic is brilliant, have spoken to Paul the owner on a number of occasions and no question is too much trouble for him and he's helped me tweak the spec to suit me and my budget. Looking forward to seeing the bike in May.
Have to say so far the customer service at Cotic is brilliant, have spoken to Paul the owner on a number of occasions and no question is too much trouble for him and he's helped me tweak the spec to suit me and my budget. Looking forward to seeing the bike in May.
[quote=MiltonBaines]Have this coming in May, deposit down and order confirmed. Very very similar geo to the Growler I tried so am confident it'll suit me. I can personalise the spec a little so need to do some research into stems, tyres and bash guards maybe but will pester you all for advice in a new thread for that.
Have to say so far the customer service at Cotic is brilliant, have spoken to Paul the owner on a number of occasions and no question is too much trouble for him and he's helped me tweak the spec to suit me and my budget. Looking forward to seeing the bike in May.
[/quote
Like that, but then I have one of these... Which I thought was you'd ordered at first glance...
Have to say so far the customer service at Cotic is brilliant, have spoken to Paul the owner on a number of occasions and no question is too much trouble for him and he's helped me tweak the spec to suit me and my budget. Looking forward to seeing the bike in May.
[/quoteLike that, but then I have one of these... Which I thought was you'd ordered at first glance...
MiltonBaines said:
Pole is very nice, I looked at those too, very highly rated bikes. What do you think of it?
I absolutely love it... I'm 6' 5" so the geo really works for me. First bike that has properly fitted me. Edited by MiltonBaines on Wednesday 24th February 21:02
I alternate between a mullet + and 29er set up. Mullet with modern geo is a lit of fun. Worth getting a SH 27.5 rear to try.
One thing I'd suggest is a cushcore for the rear - these long slack hardtails are very fast.
Be sure to update with ride impressions on yours please.
So at that height I assume you are on an XL? If I remember right that's a fair bit longer than the Cotic XL. Glad to hear to hear you like it, have never seen a bad review of either bike tbh. I've strated to look into cushcores or similar tyre inserts, will probably get one though the price and reports of difficulty in fitting scares me a bit!
Yeah... Xl. Reach is 535 IIRC.
Re cushcore. They are expensive but do something the others don't - offer a noticeably better ride. IMO they're worth the expense on a hardtail, on the rear. I wouldn't bother on an FS unless you're racing enduro.
But they are a pig to fit - they're not that hard but you need very strong fingers and following the guide to the letter helps. Should take 20-30 mins per wheel.
I've done two now. Magic Mary 26 DH casing on the back of a hardtail tandem, and a minion ss 29 on the pole.
You need lots of soapy water, a swear jar, and a sound proof room. It can be very frustrating as having three hands would help.
I'd get a shop to do it if you have one close.
Re cushcore. They are expensive but do something the others don't - offer a noticeably better ride. IMO they're worth the expense on a hardtail, on the rear. I wouldn't bother on an FS unless you're racing enduro.
But they are a pig to fit - they're not that hard but you need very strong fingers and following the guide to the letter helps. Should take 20-30 mins per wheel.
I've done two now. Magic Mary 26 DH casing on the back of a hardtail tandem, and a minion ss 29 on the pole.
You need lots of soapy water, a swear jar, and a sound proof room. It can be very frustrating as having three hands would help.
I'd get a shop to do it if you have one close.
Cotic is 510 so a little bit longer. I have a local independent bike mechanic I use, very MTB orientated so I'll get him to fit the cushcores if I get them. Did you get front and back? Pro or XC?
I need tyre advice too, would be interested to know your thoughts as you ride a similar bike. But I'll start another thread for that I think
I need tyre advice too, would be interested to know your thoughts as you ride a similar bike. But I'll start another thread for that I think
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