How big a MTB?
Discussion
Hi, the 27.5 inch is the size of the wheels. There are currently 3 standards for wheels, 26 inch used to be the only standard but has been superseded now. You can still get it but on lower end machines. Then came 29 inch, these are basically beefed up 700c road type wheels and are popular with the XC / race types. Then there is the 27.5 inch (650B) these have gained traction lately and seem to feature on everything from Enduro to downhill to XC.
I suspect you need to know the frame size. At 5'9 I'd suggest an 18 inch frame or medium in some cases. I'm about the same height and ride a medium Canyon and it's spot on.
I suspect you need to know the frame size. At 5'9 I'd suggest an 18 inch frame or medium in some cases. I'm about the same height and ride a medium Canyon and it's spot on.
It totally depends on the manufacturer. One manufacturer's large is another's medium. Take something like a M Mondraker and a L Pivot and the Pivot will feel much smaller due to the rest of the geo.
Seat tube length isn't as important as reach and top tube length. The only real way to figure it out is to ride the bike and see if you feel happy on it TBH. There are no hard and fast rules.
Alarm bells start ringing when I read 'Oh, you're 5'x"? You'll need a 17.5" bike' or similar. It just doesn't work like that.
Find out what year model you are looking at and then google for the Geometry numbers. If you're feeling cheeky, you could have a Google and see if the current models have the same geo, then go and sit on some in Halfords.
Your physical build/proportions, and personal preferences play into it a huge amount. I'm the same height as my mate and his Whyte feels great for me, but he feels it's too long. I have monkey arms.
Seat tube length isn't as important as reach and top tube length. The only real way to figure it out is to ride the bike and see if you feel happy on it TBH. There are no hard and fast rules.
Alarm bells start ringing when I read 'Oh, you're 5'x"? You'll need a 17.5" bike' or similar. It just doesn't work like that.
Find out what year model you are looking at and then google for the Geometry numbers. If you're feeling cheeky, you could have a Google and see if the current models have the same geo, then go and sit on some in Halfords.
Your physical build/proportions, and personal preferences play into it a huge amount. I'm the same height as my mate and his Whyte feels great for me, but he feels it's too long. I have monkey arms.
Edited by FD3Si on Wednesday 21st September 12:41
Frimley111R said:
I had a Carrera Kracken for a while but sold it a few months ago and now am after a Boardman FS (not new). Are they all pretty much one size? Some don't mention size and one says 27.5 inches. I'm 5 ft 9 tall.
Hiya - without sounding all weird, you know me - im Lazza's mate Chris from the TVR meets! Im also a "Boardman bore" currently owning 3 of them - a road bike, a hardtail, and a F/S. In fact, didnt we had a ride together years ago, and spend most of the ride fixing your puncture? 
Onto sizing, i am ~5'10. My hardtail and roadbike are both "medium" according to Boardman, as was my old F/S. When it came to buying my new F/S (the current 2016 model) i followed advice on here and took a gamble with the Large (19") - glad i did, as the fit feels good to me. However, if you are a touch shorter, maybe you'd be safest opting for Medium. Its easier make a smaller frame feel bigger (raise the seatpost etc) than it is to make a bigger bike smaller.
I live a couple of miles away from Peacock farm so if you wanted to swing by and have a sit on the (medium) hardtail or (Large) F/S just hit me up.
have you seen one on ebay that you are considering then?
Hi, yep I think I remember having a quick go on your bike, it felt like a Range Rover in bike form! The two I have seen are:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262625675085?_trksid=p20...
and...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252549743995?_trksid=p20...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262625675085?_trksid=p20...
and...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252549743995?_trksid=p20...
Ah yes - the previous generation "Pro" was very blingy!
Yeah, neither state what size they are, but i'd guess Large for both - notice the additional bracing between the top tube and the seatpost tube? Its not on this bike, which i'd assume is a medium:
http://www.boardmanbikes-me.com/mtb/mtb_images/Boa...
The one in Suffolk has had some money spent on it, so hopefully hes taken care of it. Its been coverted to 1x10 gearing which will be fine for 90% of riding but you might sweat on any really steep climbs.
The London one looks stock. Hard to tell the condition of either from the adverts, but i wouldnt pay much more than £500 for either - using a combination of discounts and tricks i bought the new FS Pro for ~£950 rather than the rrp of £1500, and that is quite a development on from the last generation of Boardman F/S bikes.
Yeah, neither state what size they are, but i'd guess Large for both - notice the additional bracing between the top tube and the seatpost tube? Its not on this bike, which i'd assume is a medium:
http://www.boardmanbikes-me.com/mtb/mtb_images/Boa...
The one in Suffolk has had some money spent on it, so hopefully hes taken care of it. Its been coverted to 1x10 gearing which will be fine for 90% of riding but you might sweat on any really steep climbs.
The London one looks stock. Hard to tell the condition of either from the adverts, but i wouldnt pay much more than £500 for either - using a combination of discounts and tricks i bought the new FS Pro for ~£950 rather than the rrp of £1500, and that is quite a development on from the last generation of Boardman F/S bikes.
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