Getting better cornering for XTC 3

ShaneAus

Hi, I own an 08 or 07 Giant XTC 3, and I run it all stock. My problem is that I rode around on my mates Zaskar for a bit, and his more compact bike seemed to be a lot more agile and able to corner better. How can I improve my bikes cornering ability? I guess I had better tell you some specs:
It is a 23" frame, I am 6"1
I have really long handle bars (I think it is a low specced Easton Riser bar)
I have Hutchinson Python tyres

bails87

How long is the stem?
A 23" may be a bit big for 6'1"

OwenB

I'm 6'3 and ride an 18" XTC 3 it's slightly on the smallish side for me but a 23" would have been way too big

ShaneAus

turns out my bike is a 2006 model, the stem is "Easton 1 1/8th ahead"

El Capitano

How long is the stem? A shorter stem would give you a slightly more compact position on the bike.

Agree with the other statements though, I'm 6' and rode a 18" 2004 XTC Frame and it was about right in terms of size. I also ran it with 120mm forks which put the front end in the air a bit and made the head angle a bit slacker, but meant running a short stem wasn't a major issue.

supersonic

Sounds like the frame is too long for you.

RealMan

Yeah, frame is too big.

Thewaylander

Yup i'm 6foot2 and ride a specialized Medium which is between 17.5"and 18" maybe slight small but handles better for being smaller

bails87

Thewaylander wrote:

Yup i'm 6foot2 and ride a specialized Medium which is between 17.5"and 18" maybe slight small but handles better for being smaller

Jeez, I'm 5"11 and rode a small lapierre (16") by accident, and my back was absolutely killing me, also, I was nearly kneeing myself in the face when I pedalled! A medium LP was slightly better, but the larges (Scotts and my Boardman) I've ridden have all felt 'right'.

I know, size means nothing between manufacturers

jayson

A 23" frame is massive no matter how u cut it and WAY to big for off road unless ur about 7' 6.

Im 6'2 and ride an 18" frame which fits perfectly, u might better off ebayin ur current frame and buying somethin smaller. A shorter stem wont protect the family jewells from the top tube when u come off.

The Spiderman

6FT here and riding a medium XTC.Not surprised you`rE having difficulty.Sell the frame and swap it for a smaller size.

You can get a good XT frame for less than £100 on ebay.

Southern Monkey

yep your frame is too big, I am 6ft 3 and use an 18" frame.

I used to ride a 22" (XL) 5 Spot and had exactly the same problem. Riding a smaller frame was a revelation. I bought an 18" frame and swapped all components across then sold the frame on ebay, got a good price for the frame but was an expensive mistake.

ShaneAus

I think when I bought the bike the idea was that I was going to be growing a lot more... Would it be worthwhile to upgrade to an FS such as a trance? Are there any other good lower price FS frames which would be compatible with the majority of my components?

bails87

You need to look at things like headtube height, to see if the fork will fit. Smaller or the same as your current bike is fine, bigger may be a problem.

Then seattube and seatclamp diameter, which will also affect if the front mech will fit.

After that, you'll probably need a new chain and cables, and possibly brake hoses.

So it could be: Cables and chain.

Or it could be: Cables, chain, rear brake hose, front mech, fork, seatpost and seatpost clamp.

Oh, and maybe even the back wheel, if you've got standard QRs now, but choose a frame that takes something different.

xtreem

In other words, you'll need to put at least £50-£100 plus, for those just in case mismatching components.
Excluding rear wheel and fork.
Your fork steerer is probably uncut considering how long the headtube is on a 23" frames.