Cove stiffee/handjob frame What size??

stantheman206

Following on from my last post about getting a new frame, i have been looking at the Cove website which shows basic measurments and geometry. I'm not to sure on what size to get. I will be building the bike myself and as i live in the darkness (and flatness) of east anglia i'm not exactly over whelmed with descent bikes shops to advise me. Also i wont be able to test ride one as i don't think they make complete bikes.

I'm 6 foot tall and enjoy light XC and FR currently using a 20' claud butler frame. I'm finding the stand over hieght to much now i've added 120mm marzocchi's and it's a little toooo close for comfort. I am thinking maybe a 17.5 which will give me a little more space between the crossbar and the crown jewels and also give me a better handling bike.

advice please would be much appreciated.

Oh yeah, not decided yet stiffee or handjob Cove website shows dimensions vertually the same.
thanks

hucking_fell

I'm 5'6" and my LBS suggested I might need a 17.5" size frame.

Maybe the 19.5" frame would be OK for you as it has a very sloping toptube.

Best to try before you buy.

I'll test ride their 17.5" demo bike once it's built up.

Can't decide between the Stifee and Handjob either. Purely an aluminium or steel choice as geometry/dimensions so similar as you said.

Titainium Hummer would be nice but costs tonnes more.

BeardedDave

^^^17.5 inch seems way too big for someone 5'6". I'm 5'10" and ride an 18" Hummer but I've ridden a 19.5" Handjob and a 17.5" Handjob and the 17.5" was a much better fit, the 19.5" felt like a garden gate.

As for Stiffee or Handjob, they're both quite different feelings bikes. The Stiffee is very stif (hence the name) and can be a bit too harsh for most people on all day rides. The Handjob on the other hand, being steel, is a much more comfortable ride. The best way to choose between the two would be to decide on what you want it for. If you're doing all day XC and trail riding, then I'd go with the Handjob, if you are doing shorter, more aggressive riding with a bit of jumping thrown in, then I'd go with the Stiffee.

SuperCove

I'm 5' 8" and ride a 17.5" Hondjob... perfect fit!!

hucking_fell

Thanks BeardedDave and SuperCove.

I'm expecting the 17.5" Stiffee to be too large for me now.

Guess I'll have to wait for the demo bike ride.

Well, This here's a good example of why people shouldn't buy a bike without trying it first.

Even with the well meaning advise of the LBS.

I did say try before you buy though

ride_whenever

People have broken handjobs, AFAIK no one has broken a stiffee (it's not medically possible HawHaw)

If you're serious about the freeride aspects then stiffee is a better option.

stantheman206

thanks for the advice people. I think i should go for a 17.5 frame. Although i'm not sure where i can go in east anglia that have built up handjobs for me to test. Any suggestions??