Kinesis maxlight

inthegrip70

Im 6ft 3 and wondering wether to get the 19.5 inch or 21.5 inch. The reason im unsure is because I know some frame sizes are smaller or bigger depending on the brand for example: Giant xtc tends to be smaller than GT Avalanche by geometry.
Thanks :)

Big n Daft

Try before you buy.

Ideally you need roughly two inches of stand over height for a XC bike. (The gap between your soft, hurty bits and the top tube when your feet are flat on the floor)

It's more about inside leg length than height.

For instance, I'm 6'4'' and ride a 20" framed bike.

But I only have a 33" inside leg.

As you say most frames come up to different sizes due to things like angle of top tube etc, the only way you'll know for sure is to try it.

inthegrip70

Thanks
Wish I could try it, but generally it isnt stocked in shops therefore im buying online...........
Nice to hear from someone else tall though!!!

Big n Daft

Yeah, I just googled it,

You are going to struggle to try one by the looks of it.

:?

Hmmmm, rough rule of thumb here, so if anyone disagrees jump in quick.

Floor to centre of bottom bracket height averages about 12" on most MTB's

Add frame size (which is really the length of the seat tube from centre bottom bracket to top of seat tube)

Add 1.5" to 2" stand over height.

So a 19.5" frame will suggest an ideal inside leg length of 33.5 to 34".

21" frame will suggest inside leg of 34.5 to 35".

This is a very rough guide though and will not take any other measurement into consideration, for example angle of top tube or reach to bars, which can also make a heck of a difference to how a bike feels to you.

Honestly the best advice I can give is it's a heck of a risk buying without at least trying the bike for size. You could really get stuck with something that you don't like and doesn't suit your body at all.

inthegrip70

Lot of help thanks!!

Splasher

Everyone frets over the length of their legs when sizing a frame and it's almost irrelevant. With a 400mm seat-post you have 300mm of adjustment in the relative positions of your pedals to your saddle. However, you only have about 25mm of saddle rail movement and about 80mm of stem length adjustment so the length of the frame is much more critical than the height.

And incidentally, Kinesis have a reputation for being short!

russ0228

just so everyone knows

frame is matched to the torso
handlebar stem is matched to arm length
and seat post is matched to leg length

i personally would never buy a bike from an internet shop as you ned to touch/feel/ride what you are buying. also if you have any probs you can just bring into the shop you bought it from and they will sort it out for you.
your lbs shop should be trained on how to properly set you up with the right set up for you. they should also be able to advice on which bikes are the "true best for your money" as its not just which rear mech hangs off of it or not. all that kinda eye cany doesn't mean a thing once you are riding it. its all about the geometry and they should be able to advice on the difference between each one and together you should be able to sort out which is one "right for you". also if you become a regular face in there then you will get the extra help when you need it the most.
if your lbs can't or won't do these things then move onto anothe lbs.

Splasher

russ0228 wrote:

just so everyone knows

frame is matched to the torso
handlebar stem is matched to arm length
and seat post is matched to leg length

Massive simplification! Sounds like something from an old book.

My road bike and mountain bike have pretty much the same top-tube length but have different stems because I want different body positions and steering characteristics, not because my arms change length!

russ0228

it is as simle as that as well as saddle rails, as long as you know how and what to measure and what you are looking for in the final outcome. this is of course for road and xc bikes.
jump, trial, bmx and downhill bikes are a different kettle of fish thought. (obvously)
thats why it so important for you to go to a good local lbs. as an internet shop can't do those things for you
btw splasher i never read the book as was trained by spesh, giant, commencal, cannondale, marin and other courses that are offered to lbs up and down the country.
which book do you read like? lol

Splasher

LOL My original point was to buy the frame on top-tube length first and seat-tube length second, I think we agree on that. I won't be asking your advice on what setm to buy though