[ostncoln]

should you buy smaller frame than normally. i have always just rode XC but am wanting to get into the downhill/freeride and the bike i am looking at ordering comes in 15" 17" 19" i am about 6' and a 17" XC bike from the same company seems tiny so should i go with the 19"
thanks in advance

 

[mtb_biker]

Depends on what you're looking for. Racing? just riding?

Are you looking for a shuttle bike (ie you just ride down the hill) , or a bike you'll be peadling up the hill and on a trail?

 

[Guest]

should you buy smaller frame than normally. i have always just rode XC but am wanting to get into the downhill/freeride and the bike i am looking at ordering comes in 15" 17" 19" i am about 6' and a 17" XC bike from the same company seems tiny so should i go with the 19"
thanks in advance

At 6'1" myself, I would be looking at the 17", which would be the equivaelent of a meduim... The 19" is only for tall people, and is harder to manouver around and just big in general.... riding XC you would want a more stable bike, DH you fly around alot so its better to be able to throw the bike around.... And lean back, slant... you get it...
Smaller is better vs bigger for DH... a 17" will fit you well.

 

[TNC]

I've been wondering about this. I don't claim to be an authority on this...just an opinion about bike size. Generally I've been thinking that a DH bike should be sized more precisely to the rider because the rider should be pedaling more while descending, and stability is every bit as important as flickability to maintain speed. Now, for a FR bike the flickability is more important, so a smaller, more nimble setup is the priority. From listening to and seeing some of the FR stuff done by guys on this forum, it seems to involve more jumping and dropping where the smaller setup is an advantage for manueverability. True DH seems more about speed down and over terrain and involves a decent amount of pedaling at times to maintain momentum...therefore a bike more exacting to the rider's size. And while DH requires manuevering and decent flickability, it is equally weighed with stability for maintaining speed.

Maybe some of this comes down to how one defines DH and FR riding, but to me DH is closer to racing...speed...and FR is more about flickability...stunts and moves.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

get the 17

 

[ostncoln]

Depends on what you're looking for. Racing? just riding?

Are you looking for a shuttle bike (ie you just ride down the hill) , or a bike you'll be peadling up the hill and on a trail?

it would see some trail time.

sounds like everyone is saying the smaller one. is it even comparable to a XC bike frame? the one i rode that was 17 seems so tiny. i just hate to get one and have to send it back

 

[ostncoln]

well i did some research comparing the xc frame with the dh frame. on the 17" XC the TT lenght is 22.5 and 23.5 with the dh the 19" is 23.4(xc) and 24.5 (dh) seems like it might be a little bigger anyway the wheelbase is 3 inches longer.
so 17" should be the one to get?

 

[MannyOne]

I've been wondering about this. I don't claim to be an authority on this...just an opinion about bike size. Generally I've been thinking that a DH bike should be sized more precisely to the rider because the rider should be pedaling more while descending, and stability is every bit as important as flickability to maintain speed. Now, for a FR bike the flickability is more important, so a smaller, more nimble setup is the priority. From listening to and seeing some of the FR stuff done by guys on this forum, it seems to involve more jumping and dropping where the smaller setup is an advantage for manueverability. True DH seems more about speed down and over terrain and involves a decent amount of pedaling at times to maintain momentum...therefore a bike more exacting to the rider's size. And while DH requires manuevering and decent flickability, it is equally weighed with stability for maintaining speed.

Maybe some of this comes down to how one defines DH and FR riding, but to me DH is closer to racing...speed...and FR is more about flickability...stunts and moves.

almost every post of yours has to be a freaking book? i've stopped reading your dumb posts.

that said, depends on the frame but go with the 17 if you've stopped growing.

 

[TNC]

Poor illiterate pinhead.

almost every post of yours has to be a freaking book? i've stopped reading your dumb posts.

that said, depends on the frame but go with the 17 if you've stopped growing.

Poor Manny...He comes to a discussion forum but has such poor reading comprehension skills that he can't handle anything longer than a phrase or sentence. Don't read 'em, Manny. Go back to your comic books and video games.

 

[milhouse]

6' on a 17" frame seems small. I'm 6'1 on a 18" frame and its a little cramped.

 

[dhtahoe]

almost every post of yours has to be a freaking book? i've stopped reading your dumb posts.

that said, depends on the frame but go with the 17 if you've stopped growing.

WOW... Does your LITTLE EGO feel better.

THAT SAID.... I have always been a fan of small bikes for all around trail/fr/dh riding. You can get around the bike better, can be lighter, and if you need to. Put a longer stem on for the trail.

 

[Guest]

almost every post of yours has to be a freaking book? i've stopped reading your dumb posts..

I would rather read a long explanitory sufficient paragraph answering my question with clear reasons other than just "get the 17"... But thats me from the real world

 

[Techfreak]

When sizing a DH /FR bike, look at the TT measurement, not the ST measurement. My XC bike has a 22.5" ST, but my FR/DH bike as a 19" ST. I like the feel of a longer bike and in the end the total cockpit sized of my DH/FR bike is only 20mm or 30mm shorter than my XC bike, but I am in a much more upright position and I can loft the front end MUCH easier. I also have TONS more standover. All in all the gravity bike is entirely more flickable. It is much more stable at speed, and I can still ride it for long periods of time (since the cockpit size is similar).

EDIT FOR MANNY:

17" roxxorz!!!!!!!1111111!!!!!!!

 

[ostncoln]

well i did some research comparing the xc frame with the dh frame. on the 17" XC the TT lenght is 22.5 and 23.5 with the dh the 19" is 23.4(xc) and 24.5 (dh) seems like it might be a little bigger anyway the wheelbase is 3 inches longer.
so 17" should be the one to get?

so what it boils down to is the 19" XC bike is basically the same as the 17" DH. this is confusing me and i didnt just compare the 2.
so at 6' and 34" inseam everyone agrees on the 17"