Giant Sizing Help

bone-shaker

Hi

Please read through this lengthy one as I really need a couple of experienced opinions.

I have finally decided to get my new bike but need a little help with a couple of questions. I need something for singletrack which will start out on forest trails and I will build up to boulders etc, maybe even a race one day.

I have done all the research and want the best frame I can get with the best kit including hydraulic disc brakes. My budget is around £400 - not massive I know but thats my lot.

I have ended up choosing between a Giant Terragon Disc or a Giant XTC 4.5.

I am 6'2" with an inside leg of 35". I am not too slim at 16 stone but it is all around the middle / shoulders. Part of the reason for a new bike is to get rid of the excess!

I have sat on a Yukon/Terragon 23" frame and this feels pretty good, although the top tube is in contact slightly with my groin if I get off the saddle. So I thought I would be going for a 23" as it was comfortable. But the guy in the LBS said the top tube contact was bad news because if I come off the bike - I will be singing a lot higher. I feel very comfortable on the 23" but I can see his point. He thinks 21" for top tube clearnace but there wasn't a 21" for me to try in my LBS. The reach / riding position feels good for me.

My ideal bike is an XTC 4.5 but my LBS will not be getting any in until March plus I would be buying the 2007 model from Pauls anyway as this is in my budget. I mentioned the XTC to LBS guy and he said the 23" XTC was far too big for me and that a smaller one would be better. He had a 20" £1250 XTC which I tried which felt OK but felt like it had a less comfortable riding position, it felt a little more cramped as I was leaning further forward. LBS guy said that this was a less recreational and more competition stance so the geometry was different.

My ideal spec and top of budget is the XTC.

So here's my questions

Would a 23" XTC be too big for my size?

Although the Terragon feels a little more sit up and ride, how quickly do you get used to the more 'lean forward' aspect of an XTC. Do you adapt to a new riding position easily?

In your opinion is the XTC a far superior bike to the Terragon?

I guess a 20" XTC is ideal but I just want a couple of real life experiences if anyone has them.

Thanks.

supersonic

The 23 inch sounds too big, but the Terrago is a different frame from the XTC. Frame fit comes down to a number of differnt factors - reach is very important, but if your knackers don't clear then you are in trouble. It may be that these bikes are not for you, in which case I would suggest trying other models. Plus Pauls Cycles may not be the best option if you are a beginner - the back up, servicing and aftersales from the local shop is essential to a newbie, nevermind being able to try them out.

gthang

I have been shopping for a new bike myself during the last month, I am 6'4 with 34 inside leg, I posted a similar question (about sizing) on here a few weeks ago and the majority said just try them out and sit on as many as possible. I would imagine a 23” frame would be way too big for me (and you). Your LBS is right about top tube clearance, 2-3 inches is a must!

I have ended up ordering a 20" bike mainly to make it more rideable or (to use a MTB word) "chuckable" off road. To get the correct reach I needed to slide the seat back. When the bike arrives in March! (I decided to wait over the winter to get the size and colour I wanted) I might consider fitting a riser bar with more rise rather than the 0.5" the bike comes with will see how it goes before I start changing things

I was looking at a Trek 6700 online, when I sat on the 21.5" frame it was a good fit (had 2" top tube clearance) but the bike just felt big and not very agile. The next size down was 19.5" and was ok, however I need the seat at the maximum height and as a result was leaning over the bars too much, giving a more cramped riding position. I walked away from Trek as neither felt correct. I had similar results after sitting on a Scott Scale 50, it was not quite right. I like the look of the Scott bit gutted when I walked away from that also.

I am not really advising you on which size more just demonstrating that finding the right bike is time consuming. You may not end up with the bike you 1st liked the look of if you’re determined to get the right size and riding position that’s comfortable to you. Changing handle bars and stems can help tweak things after a purchase but there is only so much they can do.

gthang

PS. measured my old GT yesterday and its a 20" frame that I have been riding happily for the last 12 years.

paulf2007

I don't know how many times I have posted this, but here goes once again. If you found the 23" bike right for length, meaning saddle to bars with enough knee clearance and you are comfortable that you are not too stretched, then measure seat post to stem at bars and seat post to steerer tube. That way you can check the geometry of other bikes and get the frame you need by changing the stem to suit you. When I build a bike I use these measurements to set my bike up before I ever ride it, I also set the saddle height with a known measurement and then get on and ride, knowing its going to be spot on.

supersonic

Changing the stem can have drawbacks - it alters the handling of the bike. But I do agree with noting the effective top tube length.

willy b

Sounds like the guy in the LBS knows his stuff lol

The XTC is a basic competetion bike, and a 20"/L would be ideal. I'm 6ft3" and ride a giant NRS Large. That is perfect for me, and an XL just looks like a door, way too big, and way too clumbsy (sp?)

Get a large giant!

paulf2007

supersonic wrote:

Changing the stem can have drawbacks - it alters the handling of the bike. But I do agree with noting the effective top tube length.

I'm talking minor changes with regard to the stem length

spacey

I too looked at a Trek (I recently did a sponsored thing in Vietnam where we rode Trek 4500 which I was quite impressed with hence the leaning towards a Trek) originally I was after a 6500 but ended up test riding both the 6500 & 6700 as well which seemed a nicer ride (although couldn't find any reviews of the 08 spec)....I am 5'11and was looking at replacing my ancient Rockhopper which is a 19.5 inch frame so I originally looked at the 19.5 inc Trek but rode both the 17.5 and 19.5 inch frames....I am currently trying to make up my mind which is the best to go for.......I am guessing that the 17.5inch frame although it looks small will be eaiser to chuck around than the larger frame bike although does 2inches make that much difference (smutty jokes aside)....any advice appreciated....

The Spiderman

I`m 6ft and ride a 19" (m) XTC.20" or 21" would be best for you.