Sizing advice

darkspirit

Hi all

I have my heart set on a new bike, a Whyte 901 (2013) with upgrade to XT running gear, it just fits within my budget but comes with an issue...

im 6ft3 with a longish leg... they only have size large but the Whyte site recommends an XL...

Speaking to my LBS who has this bike waiting for me thinks they can adapt it to fit by fitting a wider, higher rise handlebar...

Am I being foolish spending this money on a bike that isnt the exact right size?

To me it felt fine when I sat on it but im no expert!! Ive heard that gettng a slightly smaller frame helps the rider to throw the bike around a bit better. ..

most of my riding will be xc and some tame trails (untill I get more experienced)

Hope you can help as im about to buy this tomorrow

Thanks,
Mark

darkspirit

Anybody?

Does fitting a wider (750mm), higher rise bar make a smaller frame more suitable fir a bigger guy?

LBS, had the seat post quite high and back on the rail and test fitted the wider bar.

omegas

darkspirit wrote:

Does fitting a wider (750mm), higher rise bar make a smaller frame more suitable fir a bigger guy?

No

supersonic

There is no such thing as an exact size. How does it feel to you? if it feels good, it usually is right!

darkspirit

I actually thought it felt too big lol. .. The LBS assistant had the seat so high up I could barely touch my feet on the floor lol.

He said that he thought the bike may be too small as my arms were locked straight rather then bent whilst sitting on the bike. ..

I'm also looking at the cannondale trail sl1 and the boardman ht pro (both 2013 models)

Thanks,
Mark

supersonic

Sit on them, ask for a ride, ask them to change and adjust. Best way!

cooldad

darkspirit wrote:

I actually thought it felt too big lol. .. The LBS assistant had the seat so high up I could barely touch my feet on the floor lol.

He said that he thought the bike may be too small as my arms were locked straight rather then bent whilst sitting on the bike. ..

I'm also looking at the cannondale trail sl1 and the boardman ht pro (both 2013 models)

Thanks,
Mark

Saddle height doesn't sound bad - I can't touch the floor with both feet - your leg should be almost straight at the bottom of the stroke. But I can't see how a bigger size will work if your arms are already straight as it will be longer?

darkspirit

That didn't make much sense to me either but he was the expert lol

I can't really see how an extra 20mm TT length (xl) would make that much of a difference anyway m.. Could it?

The Rookie

darkspirit wrote:

That didn't make much sense to me either but he was the expert lol

I can't really see how an extra 20mm TT length (xl) would make that much of a difference anyway m.. Could it?

Was he an expert, did he say he was, or just some minimum wage shop oik?

20mm is noticeable, yes.

darkspirit

Ended up getting a 2013 Boardman HT pro at a heavily discounted price... pick it up tomorrow.

Halfords bike staff were superb and spent lots of time talking bikes and options...

Will be picking it up tomorrow