Inbetween Sizes

JACTHECAT

Hi all

Went to Halfords today to get sized for my first mountain bike, looking at the Carrera Valour or Vengeance.

I am about 5' 11"

On the 18" bike I felt that when I was taking a corner my knees were right up around the gears/bars - Is this normal on a mountain bike?

On the 20" bike when I was stood straight my crotch was just touching the top bar - Read that this is a sign that the bike is to big?

Is it picking a better of two evils, any advice is welcome!?

97th choice

Stand over height isn't that important, but I would normally assume the 18" would be more suitable for you than the 20". What us your inside leg measurement?

coulddobetter

I would go the other way .you can always shorten stem get a riser bar and adjust saddle position . I have never hit the crown jewels on top tube on my large boardman .

Halfords usually do very little in weigh of test rides. They have had a lot of bikes stollen from shop floor. Getting a too small frame will be harder to adjust and you won't enjoy feeling cramped up .

However there are so many variables it's important to be sure , e.g angle of brake levers and shifters all make a big difference.

poah

saddle position shouldn't be used to adjust bike fitting

mcnultycop

I'd always err on the side of the smaller size.

cooldad

POAH wrote:

saddle position shouldn't be used to adjust bike fitting

Really? So why do saddles tilt, have rails, and seatposts move?

JACTHECAT

Thanks for the advice so far

Think I'm about a 31" inside leg

Just need to decide between frame sizes and then going to get it ordered

poah

cooldad wrote:

POAH wrote:

saddle position shouldn't be used to adjust bike fitting

Really? So why do saddles tilt, have rails, and seatposts move?

you move the saddle to get the correct position for your legs, not to adjust reach