Are MTB frames just big compared to Road?

roy_batty

Hoping you guys can help solve an issue I have with mountain bike frame sizing.
I've just bought a Focus in a medium frame. All specs say it should be spot on:
5'6 - 5'8" tall? Check.
30'"-32" leg? Check.

I should mention that this is my first mountain bike and I'm jumping on it as a Road and TT bike owner.
My question is, should the MTB feel so tall? It's like climbing on a horse! :shock:
I'm guessing that this is something to do with the geometry allowing for 100mm of travel from the Tora forks.

Thoughts appreciated...
Cheers

explosifpete

Yes in a word. when I get offf my road bike (54cm) then get on my (46cm) mtb if does feel really high up. I belivve its due to the higher b/b, higher bars and more upright set up

louse

yes they can feel a bit taller due to the suspension.

roy_batty

Cheers!

jairaj

yup MTB usually have a higher bottom bracket height so you have clearance over uneven terrain and to account for geometry changes during suspension compression.

andy46

i've just gone the other way and got my first road bike which seems tiny compared to my full sus

very strange but i'm slowly getting used to it

jairaj

not as strange as going from a MTB to a BMX, now that just feels wrong!

Had a quick go on my mates BMX and I couldn't get the hang of it at all, just didn't like it .

kinelljohn

Hi - welcome to the club...
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/forums/vie ... highlight=

supersonic

Frame sizes vary so much it is almost impossible to compare sizes. You can't say I am x height and you will fit y frame - rarely works that way.

Have a read of the What Size thread in the Buying Forum for more info.

ride_whenever

Really, i'm more comfortable on a far larger road bike than a mtb, although the roadie is a lot lower slung...

The feeling you have probably comes from the bigger ground clearance.