New bike help please

MrKawamura
MrKawamura Posts: 192
edited June 2008 in MTB buying advice
After trying a fair few bikes I'm now looking at a Spesh p All Mountain. I've had a ride on a 17", and while I could just about stand over the frame, I found it a little on the large side. This is my first modern mtb, so I'm a bit lost.

I'm 5' 7" with 29.5" inseam. My stumpy legs mean I've now ordered in a 15" frame to try. My feeling is that while a 15" will be less unweildy and will give me a bit of a gap above the top tube, I'm going to find the reach a bit short.

Now, the bike comes with a 60mm stem and no offset on the seatpost. So, if I got a 75mm stem and a seatpost with 15mm offset to the rear I could add 30mm to the reach, giving it the same reach as the 17" frame.

Is this a reasonable thing to do, or would you get the 17" frame and live with very little standover clearance - ie with the top tube touching? Any thoughts, guidance much appreciated.

Comments

  • Jawwa
    Jawwa Posts: 4
    I,ve just bought a Spesh Pitch. I,m 5ft 6 & after a couple of rides with the 17" demo bike I ordered the 15".
    This turned out to be the right choice. It too has the smaller 60mm stem which I thought about changing to 75mm (as my fellow riders are more XC). But at the moment I,m happy with it.
    The shop I bought it from did suggest the angled seatpost if I found the reach too short but I find it just fine for me, just the tyres slow me down on road climbs.

    Dan.
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    can you get one in to test..

    its got pretty slack geo, so not really a strecthed out type of bike. A lay back seatpost might not be ideal. Not forgetting you can also move the saddle back on its rails. Also try some different bars.

    I'd try and test first if you have reservations.
    Meta5.5
    Duster
  • MrKawamura
    MrKawamura Posts: 192
    I'll be testing the 15" at the weekend. Hopefully I'll be getting some good advice from the LBS, but I wanted to get some general opinions from you guys as I'm fairly clueless. Most "size guides" I have found tell me I need a 17" frame, but the top tube always pushes up against me, making me unhappy...

    I figured that a longer stem is a bit more XC in character. Might not be a bad idea as I'll be doing at least some smoother XC rides.

    I'ld appreciate any other thoughts. Thanks.
  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    Ask the bike shop you're getting it from if you can try it out with a couple of stems.

    They ought to have some old ones kicking about. Ditto for a layback seatpost.

    I think you sound more suited to a 15" frame, you want decent top tube clearance if you're going to be getting sick air!

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