Frame sizing - rules of thumb

[CoolC]

I'm just waiting for my ride2work voucher to come through, but I've pretty much settled on the 2012 Trek 6500 D This one

But what frame size would be the best to order for my height? I'm 6 foot so 183cm, which puts me in both the 18.5 and 19.5 range.

The nearest Evans to me (the scheme is through Evans) is a good hour away so popping down to try out a few sizes is quite difficult (and that's even if they have them in the shop)

So my question is: Are there any rules of thumb like inside leg, shoulder to wrist etc measurments that would help me select the most appropriate size for me?

TIA

[Anthony Micallef]

Try this calculator http://www.zinncycles.com/ncalmountain-ultimarev.h...

[CoolC]

Cool, thanks for that.

Does it tell you where to measure anywhere in there? how are they measuring arm length? arm pit to wrist?

[rhinochopig]

At the risk of sounding a bit like a broken record, it really is advisable to get on them and try them out. Expensive mistake if it doesn't fit well.

I speak from painful personal expeience on this; the bike fitted fine but rode like a dog when used in anger.

[anonymous-user]

the bike fit calculator on the canyon website is quite thorough but does give some odd results according to some...

you can do a lot with seat position and stem length, a new stem is about £20 so if the top tube is too stretched, shorten the stem by 1 or 2 cm and it might feel better.

personally i would get clued upon on the trek geomety, find something similar in terms of angles and top tube length, head to another shop, try a bike or two for size, then make the decision.

i also think road bike fit is a lot more important than mtb bike fit by virture of you being out of the saddle and shifting your weight around on an mtb to suit the terrain thus you wont notice the difference betweeen two bikes that are an inch of seat tube (and other associated lengths apart). i'm 5'11" with a 32" inside leg and would go for the 18.5 if it were me.

[khushy]

Invest in a fitting BEFORE buying – would you buy a £1000 suit without trying it on?

[anonymous-user]

khushy said:

Invest in a fitting BEFORE buying – would you buy a £1000 suit without trying it on?

can you adjust the length of trousers and sleeves as easily as a seat, post and stem? to be honest, you wont know if its comfy until you have completed twenty miles of your local trails....

[CoolC]

I know what your saying, trying out different sizes is the best option, but getting to the shop to try them is very difficult.

There is a Trek dealer in my town, but I'd feel quite bad going in there trying out bikes for size knowing full well I would ultimately be buying from someone else.

I have ridden a friends trek in the past (doesn't have it now) and it did feel very comfortable, so their geometry "works" for me. And as already said I don't think the exact fit is quite so necessary with a MTB against a roadbike.

I think I'll go for the 18.5 I'm 6' with a 33" inside leg.