Incorrect Frame Size

mudslinger

I recently bought a new bike from Evans Cycles that after reading the manual I now think is too large for me. I am 6 ft & have an inside leg of 32 in. The bike frame is 20 in.

The reason I went for 20" is because I went to Halfords to get a Fury but the salesguy persuaded me to buy a Kona Cinder Cone for £700. The one they had on display was 20" & he told me it was a perfect fit. This was the only one they had in stock which only later set the alrm bells ringing. I knew Evans had a sale on & they had the same bike for £530. So I phoned my local Evans store to say I wanted to try the 20" Kona. They had it ready a couple of days later for me to try round their carpark (not much of a trial). I liked it so bought it. At neither point did Evans query the frame size.

Do you think the frame is too big for big? And what are the effects of this? I find climbing hills a bit more diffficult than my old bike. I'm taking it back to Evans next week for its first service so will discuss this with them.

Any suggestions.

omegas

How much clearance do you have over the top tube when you stand over it. The Kona has 32.4 inches standover for the 20 inch frame.

If you are finding climbing hard it could be the reach is to long for you and the geometry set up is putting your body in the wrong place.

mudslinger

Thanks. Max 2" clearance when as far down the sloping top tube as poss.

omegas

Bike sizes are given on seat tube length, most manufacturers measure from the centre of the crank axle - bottom bracket - to the centre of the seat tube where it joins the top tube. Always check how measurements are done – some bikes are measured centre to top of seat tube, which can make a big difference. Seat tube length provides your stand over height - the amount of clearance between your crotch and top tube, which should be 3-4inches on a mountain bike though less is needed on the road. The second important measurement is the reach - controlled by the distance along the top tube.

To a certain degree reach can be adjusted with stem lengths and by moving the saddle however these are only for minor adjustments, changing stem length dramatically can alter the handling of the bike.

Getting the correct size is critical for you to feel comfortable and in control on your bike. Ask an expert to check your position for you.

Rockhopper

I'm 6'2" with a 31" inside leg. I ride a 19" M4 S Works hardtail. Its a smaller frame than i perhaps should be using but it feels tighter becasue of that. In general i like to ride the smallest frame i can and use a longer seat post if required.
I think your 20" is probably about right for you but it wouldn't hurt you to be riding one an inch or two smaller.

Stxsas

I have a 31" inside leg too, and i feel more comfortable on a 18" frame, why not ask to try out an 18" frame if you can and compare the two?

mudslinger

Thanks but feel that as I've had the bike for 3 weeks now there is little that can be done.

I find when going uphill the front is quite light & comes up a bit too easily. Comparing the seat position with that of my old bike then the Kona is a bit further back so moving the seat forward may well help. But that then pushes me further up the top tub meaning even less clearance.

bwoody

I am 6 foot and ride an 18 inch giant XTC. I feel a 20 would be too big for me.
Id rather have the smaller frame size and a longer seat post to get the correct pedalling
position

mudslinger

Exactly, thats what I now think as well. However I can't see what can be done so I'm stuck with a bike thats probably too big for me.

teacherman

That's the problem with buying from Evans or Halfords. I really doubt your decent LBS that has been around for years would have let you out the door with a bike the wrong size - their margins are small and customer loyalty is their life blood.

I'm 6 foot but have short arms and legs so ride a 17"

You could try giving the bike a really good clean, take it back and claim severe pain in your shoulders or lower back due to their neglegence. Not the sort of thing I would normally suggest but as it's them I think it's your best shot after 3 weeks. :twisted:

royboy11

I'm 6'-0". I use a 17.5" Norco hardtail. I ride mostly freeride, north shore, and really techincal xc trails. For less technical trail riding I would go for a 18-19" frame. Or for road 20".

boncey

I'm 5'-11" and just bought a Cinder Cone (after not riding for 20 years).
The chap in my LBS had me ride around the block on an 18" and a 19".
From my point of view I couldn't tell the difference having not ridden for so long - but both had suitable clearance (he said you need about a 2 inch gap between you and your crossbar).

I opted for the 19" and it's been fine so far (I've only just got it so have not done any long rides yet mind).

The Big Cheese

Also depends massively on the geometry of the frame, take a look at the Marin in my sig, that's only a 17", the 2006 geometry of the same bike came in very high and at 18" was to big for me, I'm 6' tall. On other frames an 18" could be far to small

allyharp

I'm 5'10 and I ride an 18" Kona with the same frame as your Cinder Cone. I reckon probably the 19" would suit you best.

I'd take teacherman's advice and try taking it back claiming poor sales advice. Someone on the old WhatMTB board managed to get their size changed by Halfords after a few months.

Andy B

allyharp wrote:

I'd take teacherman's advice and try taking it back claiming poor sales advice. Someone on the old WhatMTB board managed to get their size changed by Halfords after a few months.

Yes someone did manage to get a swap after a few months, it was Bazza (IIRC) he had a 20" Fury & managed to get it swapped to a 18", so give it a go, nothing to lose.

nzbikerfreak

What branch of evans did you get it at?

mudslinger

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Nice bike Cheesey!

It was from the Gatwick branch. I went back on Tuesday & the person I spoke to said 20" would be fine for general riding & commuting but not for serious downhill. He admitted that he would have sold me a 18" frame.

I will take it further with Evans but speak to someone in authority. I will also try to speak to the Kona importer.

Andy B

mudslinger wrote:

. He admitted that he would have sold me a 18" frame.

Did you get the guy's name, you could go to his manager & tell him what has happened, you should be able to get the proper size as the guy admitted he sold you the wrong size.

mudslinger

The guy who said that was not the same guy who sold me the bike but it is something to work with.