Does size really matter?

Anonymous

I'm 6'6'' tall and some say that this puts me at a disadvantage when it comes to MTBing as the sport is suited to shorter compact riders

Whytepeak

Being tall shouldn't be a disadvantage, but you will (as you will have probably noticed) have to adopt a different riding style to other shorter riders. In some situations, such as corners, being tall is an advantage, in others, like jumping, it can be a hinderence.

toasty

It makes demo days frustrating! Especially the ones where you can't pre-book bikes I wouldn't say it's a problem, while you'll weigh more your muscles should be proportionally bigger. You might get away with a heavier bike while lighter riders are stuck on shorter travel beasties.

I'm the same height.

Banned!

im much shorter than you and i will leave you standing on the rocky bits and the agressive airtime parts, but you will be able to outpedal and outclimb me so it evens out.

SDK2007

Jesus_Christ wrote:

im much shorter than you and i will leave you standing on the rocky bits and the agressive airtime parts, but you will be able to outpedal and outclimb me so it evens out.

All of the above is dependent on technical ability and fitness

The Northern Monkey

I'm 6ft 2 and dont have any issues I can think of.

maybe your on the wrong bike.

doddy for instance, is a big fecker. don't see him complaining. however he has said that he isn't able to look at just any bike. He's already ruled out most of the "lusted after" frames because he knows they will be too small.

stop bloody moaning and get riding :roll:

Mrs Toast

Crap, I'm 5ft 2, I should be kicking arse! Where am I going wrong?!

The Northern Monkey

Mrs Toast wrote:

Crap, I'm 5ft 2, I should be kicking ars*! Where am I going wrong?!

Mrs Toast

To be fair, the original poster didn't say that he felt he was at a disadvantage, just that other people said he was.

Zeroman_IR

Steve Peat...6'3"...nuff said?

toasty

Jesus_Christ wrote:

im much shorter than you and i will leave you standing on the rocky bits and the agressive airtime parts, but you will be able to outpedal and outclimb me so it evens out.

Why the rocky bits just out of curiosity? Surely my legs/arms are longer travel than yours :P I'd agree about speedy berms and tight trees, only because they're often built for shorter wheelbases though

Banned!

SDK2007 wrote:

Jesus_Christ wrote:

im much shorter than you and i will leave you standing on the rocky bits and the agressive airtime parts, but you will be able to outpedal and outclimb me so it evens out.

All of the above is dependent on technical ability and fitness

yeah, but we're working on an assumed level of skill and fitnesshere, seeing as we are all 'serious' riders.

my being short and stocky gives me the advantage of having a really low COG so i can get right down on the bike and bomb over the rough stuff, sticking the bike right into the ground. taller riders often have problems getting low enough. its not across the board though, many great riders are really tall and some awful riders are really short.

batch78

Its all irrelevant. Your original post is based on toss.

He who trains hardest, has natural athletic ability and psycological strength will win.

shin0r

batch78 wrote:

Its all irrelevant. Your original post is based on toss.

He who trains hardest, has natural athletic ability and psycological strength will win.

True. Peat, Rennie and Gee Atherton are all massive, Hill is about 5'9".

FunkMaster007

I'm 6ft 3 and new to MTB .... and for me as long as I am comfortable on my bike I am happy - I know there may be disadvantages .... but hey it's all bout the fun ....

ratty2k

Jesus_Christ wrote:

my being short and stocky gives me the advantage of having a really low COG

Had my suspicions, sounds like a troll to me!

KnightofCydonia

Mrs Toast wrote:

Crap, I'm 5ft 2, I should be kicking ars*! Where am I going wrong?!

Indeed, at 5ft 8/9ish, I should also be immense

tompug

Zeroman_IR wrote:

Steve Peat...6'3"...nuff said?

Add Nathan Rennie and Greg Minnaar to that aswell, 6ft3 215lbs, 6ft2 respectively.

I'm also 6ft4, 220lbs. I would rate myself quite highly and I'm certainly not limited when choosing frames.

It may be true that shorter riders have a lower COG, it doesn't translate into anything meaningful to us mear mortal riders.

A guy I talk to who rides Steetley quarry near me who must be 18 Stone plus. Non frequent riders usually smirk when they see him, the usual 'whats that fatty doing on a bike' comment. They soon shut up when they see him ride, he's rapid on the descents, goes for big air and even whips, It's truly a sight.
I wouldn't let other peoples hangups bother you, they are usually shit riders anyway.

Banned!

Toasty wrote:

Jesus_Christ wrote:

im much shorter than you and i will leave you standing on the rocky bits and the agressive airtime parts, but you will be able to outpedal and outclimb me so it evens out.

Why the rocky bits just out of curiosity? Surely my legs/arms are longer travel than yours (

just saw this.

im writing from experience. a lot of taller riders I know often find themselves unbalanced or uncomfortable over long rocky sections. they have all said its because they dont feel they can get down low enough on the bike to really push it down without risking a lip to stem interface. i find that i can get really low without forcing it and this gives me a lot more balance and power if i need to lift suddenly because i can get up again a lot quicker.