Medium or Large? Vitus Sentier VRS

zagazoo
zagazoo Posts: 3
edited April 2016 in MTB buying advice
After many happy years on my old GT hardtail, I've decided to upgrade to a Vitus Sentier.

I'm 5'11' with shorter legs 32' . My GT was an 18' frame. All the sizing tools suggest a medium or 18' frame but the Vitus comes in 17' medium or 19' large. Both have a lower top tube than the seat tube suggests.

The older bike was 570 ETT and a 90mm stem with my saddle well back.

The Vitus are 620 or 640 with 50mm stem.

So do I go medium or large? I'm guessing I can go to a 60mm stem on the small or a 40mm on the large and it should be about the same. Standover will be OK on both but much better on the 17'.

Chain Reaction advised the medium and did say you can return bike if decide size is wrong.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers, Andy

Comments

  • poah
    poah Posts: 3,369
    don't go my ETT as this can be the same between two bikes but the reach different which is the real measurement you should look at. Your older bike was probably too small for you. My advice would be to go try other bikes and look at the geo of them and go from there. I would probably go for the medium
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Bike geometry has changed quite a lot in recent years. Bikes have got a lot longer. You cant really compare bikes from even 5 years ago with new ones. Best to get out to some decent mountain bike specialist shops and try some. Avoid shops which sell mainly road bikes.
  • zagazoo
    zagazoo Posts: 3
    Thanks for the advice Guys!

    I'm going to check out some other bikes with similar geometry and then cross my fingers! :D

    Cheers, Andy