Need advice please (tall entry rider)

foomonkey

Hi,

I'm 6 ft 9 (38" inside leg) so i ordered in a couple bikes that i read good reviews on to try for size

The bikes being a XXL Specialised Rockhopper Sport 29 ( https://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes ... -29/106489 ) at the Bike Coop and a 21" 13 Incline Alpha ( http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -bike-2015 ) through Halfords.

Today i went into see the Specialised Rockhopper Sport 29 i ordered and was told that i'd be better upgrading, for a better fit, to a Giant Talon 5.2 ( http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... /#geometry ).

The main "concerns" pointed out to me was that the fork in comparison to the Rockhopper was of a greater spec in that i could adjust it to my weight (im 18 stone) while the Rockhopper was coil sprung so didnt have that same benefit.

Also they were telling me Giants generally have a larger sized frames. They compared an in store large Talon 5.2 vs the XXL Rockhopper. They were saying that if i went with a XL frame Talon 5.2 it'd have a larger reach compared to the XXL Rockhopper due to the combination of the top tube and stem length (about an extra 2cm). If i wanted those same results with the Rockhopper it would mean modifying it.

Could anyone confirm to me whether this is accurate to what they are saying about the Talon and Giant frames in general? Would it be worth going for a Talon 5.2 or 5.3 and are they good bikes or is the Rockhopper a better idea for an entry level bike? ...Or is there a better option in the £700 bracket that you could recommend me that would both be better for my size and is a better bike compared to the Talon 5.2? I'd consider spending up to £700 if it meant that i wouldn't need to have to modify the bike to fit me better.

Thanks

supersonic

First off: how did the bikes feel when you sat on them or rode them?

As for the Talon vs Rockhopper, the Hopper in an XXL size is some 4cm longer in the top tube than an XL Talon, assuming is measured in the same way. Sure the stem may adjust this, but these can be swapped out for little money. There is no doubt that the Talon 5.2 is better value though, has a lot of better parts, the fork is a different class. So parts wise yes, but what they are saying about the frame sizes looks to be poor advice.

foomonkey

supersonic wrote:

First off: how did the bikes feel when you sat on them or rode them?

As for the Talon vs Rockhopper, the Hopper in an XXL size is some 4cm longer in the top tube than an XL Talon, assuming is measured in the same way. Sure the stem may adjust this, but these can be swapped out for little money. There is no doubt that the Talon 5.2 is better value though, has a lot of better parts, the fork is a different class. So parts wise yes, but what they are saying about the frame sizes looks to be poor advice.

I didnt actually get to ride it. Only got to the store late before it closed so i was only able to sit on the Rockhopper. The Talon they'd need to order in an XL for me to compare. Same issue with the 13 Incline Alpha. Since i was on the 1st floor in Halfords, i wasn't able to test ride the bike. However i know that the top tube length on it is going to be too small having now compared it to the Rockhopper.

Going forward, i'm now not sure what to go for. Tomorrow i'm going to go back to the Bike Co op and ask to ride the Rockhopper but assuming what the sale rep was saying is true (as much as i'd like to take what any sales rep would say with a pinch of salt) then maybe in the long run, paying that little extra more would be beneficial for a bike that fits better with a spec upgrade in addition? I'm not sure if i'm being played by a sales pitch though due to my size so that i invest more for a bike that'll only be a marginal difference? I originally wanted to spend under £500 but due to my height im unsure that's realistic?

If i go for a £700 rated bike, what others should i look at instead of the Talon, that are better specced for the price and offer a high stack and reach to suit my height?

Thanks again.

EDIT : How would a Giant Talon 5.2 fair up to these other bikes?

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 031/90575/
https://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes ... -29/106485
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/grand- ... l-5-9.html
http://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes ... 40600-2016
http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/mountain ... mantra-pro

Is there any other bike i should be considering in their price bracket? ..Or is there any cheaper bike that is generally larger fitting that maintains a great spec that you could recommend so that i'm not forking out over £500 for an entry level bike?

Thanks again

supersonic

There is little doubt one of the Rockhoppers will fit you - and if the XXL is the only one you feel comfortable on then I'd go for it. You can always upgrade the fork with the change, some good units out there for £200 that will bring the bike in line with some of the more expensive models.

The Canyon looks fairly short in its largest size, though it does have a slightly steeper seat angle.

I would ask the shop to order in the XL Talon and give it a shot, see how it feels. Though on paper it is a smaller bike than the Hopper.