Since the ST angle on the Spitfire is steeper than either of the other two bikes it's effectively a little longer than the ETT measurement would indicate. Basically the horizontal distance from the pedals to the handlebar (called the reach) is longer on a bike with a steeper ST angle, all else being equal. Since you'll then want to get the position of your feet and the pedals right, this will probably involve a setback post on the Spitfire (I'm running one with the seat slammed back in the rails on mine), the distance from the seat to the bar then gets a little longer than the ETT would indicate. It's a little hard to say without knowing more about how your current bikes are setup, but my gut feeling would be to go with a small. I'm a lot taller than you though so my fit isn't all that relevant.
Help me choose the correct size Spitfire
I have been shopping for a replacement for my aging 575 frame and have pretty much decided on a Spitfire. I can't, however, decide which size would be best for me. I'll be using it for long technical trail rides and will be running a 2010 Revelation Team up front.
I stand 5' 5.5" in my stocking feet. I currently have two mountain bikes. The 575 that I will be replacing is a small but I also have a medium Nomad.and both of them seem like they fit me like a glove.
Banshee's site recommends the small frame but I'm very close for a medium. The 22" TT on the small seems short to me while 23" TT seems a tad long. What other numbers should I focus on? Please keep in mind that I will be doing longer rides with the Spitfire while using my Nomad for more freeridy (is that a word?) stuff.
I am posting a chart of the geometries of these bikes below. Sorry about the quality but I could not figure out how to post a Google Doc. so I took a picture of my screen.
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I stand 5' 5.5" in my stocking feet. I currently have two mountain bikes. The 575 that I will be replacing is a small but I also have a medium Nomad.and both of them seem like they fit me like a glove.
Banshee's site recommends the small frame but I'm very close for a medium. The 22" TT on the small seems short to me while 23" TT seems a tad long. What other numbers should I focus on? Please keep in mind that I will be doing longer rides with the Spitfire while using my Nomad for more freeridy (is that a word?) stuff.
I am posting a chart of the geometries of these bikes below. Sorry about the quality but I could not figure out how to post a Google Doc. so I took a picture of my screen.
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
other things to keep in mind are the stem lengths of your current bikes, and your seat post (center mount or offset) and what position your seat is in. If on your current bikes you e.g. have longish stems and you have your seat all the way back you might consider going a size up/longer on your next frame.
Yeah that's what I meant by "how your current bikes are set up"cooldaddy said:other things to keep in mind are the stem lengths of your current bikes, and your seat post (center mount or offset) and what position your seat is in. If on your current bikes you e.g. have longish stems and you have your seat all the way back you might consider going a size up/longer on your next frame.
Side note: moving the seat back is NOT an appropriate way to make a bike fit like it's bigger. Seat position should be done for pedaling dynamics, not reach.
Thanks for the quick replies. I definitely won't be running a setback post because I use a Gravitydropper on both bikes and would feel lost without one. I have 90mm, 65mm, and a 50mm stems to choose from and I typically run my saddle pretty centered. I don't want to have to choose a stem to adjust my fit though.
SMALL... This bike is a lot of fun. With the slack HT and bb height, you are gonna spend more time on those fast dh switchbacks and climb just to get get to the descent. My riding partner rides a medium with a 50mm stem and he is easily 5'10" or so.KYMtnBkr said:Thanks for the quick replies. I definitely won't be running a setback post because I use a Gravitydropper on both bikes and would feel lost without one. I have 90mm, 65mm, and a 50mm stems to choose from and I typically run my saddle pretty centered. I don't want to have to choose a stem to adjust my fit though.
I'm 5'5" and ride a small. I use it as my am, xc, dh, & sd bike. I haven't rode my 6" pitch for over 3 months now.
I'm 5-9 and thinking of going large. I rode a med SF twice last week and it seemed small with a 90mm stem. As small to med, med to large is 1 inch longer tt. Stand over is OK. I would rather comeback on the stem than have a 100mm stem on a bike I'm riding some chunk on. I don't want a big feeling bike but laid back post & long stem seems odd. Wish I could have ridden a large demo to get a comparison. I will place the order next week and reading that even taller guys like the Med has me a little concerned I'm going the right direction. I did run by my main bike shop and they put it their fitting rake. Said I could do as I stated above as I was a little tight on the bike. I'll be running a 160 fork which should bring the bars back even more. Place I demoed had me ride around out back and they also said the med seemed small. The med numbers are close to what I'm riding now but have been on a 29'er (EL Rey) for 3 years. But the El Rey feels so much more open.
5'11" on a medium with a 50mm stem since Dec 2010 and couldn't be happier. Well... I might go to a 1.5" rise bar, because the front end is just a tad bit too low, but other than that, I couldn't be happier.
I'm 6' tall with about a 6'4" armspan and am riding a large with a 70mm stem. I don't think you'll fit on one well at all.trb2929 said:I'm 5-9 and thinking of going large. I rode a med SF twice last week and it seemed small with a 90mm stem. As small to med, med to large is 1 inch longer tt. Stand over is OK. I would rather comeback on the stem than have a 100mm stem on a bike I'm riding some chunk on. I don't want a big feeling bike but laid back post & long stem seems odd. Wish I could have ridden a large demo to get a comparison. I will place the order next week and reading that even taller guys like the Med has me a little concerned I'm going the right direction. I did run by my main bike shop and they put it their fitting rake. Said I could do as I stated above as I was a little tight on the bike. I'll be running a 160 fork which should bring the bars back even more. Place I demoed had me ride around out back and they also said the med seemed small. The med numbers are close to what I'm riding now but have been on a 29'er (EL Rey) for 3 years. But the El Rey feels so much more open.
Bike sizing and personal preferences are all over the place in here.
I'm a touch over 5'8" with average arms/legs on a size small with a 70mm stem, non-setback post. Very comfy that way.
I'm a touch over 5'8" with average arms/legs on a size small with a 70mm stem, non-setback post. Very comfy that way.
6' on a large. sizing is a personal preference and riding style plays a part too. can't see you needing a large but it's your call.
I'm really on the fence. Med numbers are what I ride. But it felt small on the demo rides.qbert2000 said:6' on a large. sizing is a personal preference and riding style plays a part too. can't see you needing a large but it's your call.
hey, if you've demod then you know better than me or anyone else here feels best for you. if you can, demo a large before dropping the cash. riding one is infinitely better than asking here. helps to narrow it down, but only your own azz knows the truth.trb2929 said:I'm really on the fence. Med numbers are what I ride. But it felt small on the demo rides.
myself, i could ride a medium too. i got a good deal on a large so i went that way. fits good but there are times i like a smaller frame. i just can't afford that many bikes.
Perhaps the medium seems small for you because you've been riding a 29er. It's just speculation on my part but it might be something to consider.trb2929 said:I'm really on the fence. Med numbers are what I ride. But it felt small on the demo rides.
LBS only has a med as a demo. I just rode a buddies Trance with a similar setup to what I want to build. His bike felt fine which was a med Trance 50mm stem. I also confirmed the demo had a 90mm stem. Trances seat tube is a degree different.Hard call as I just don't want a 100mm stem on this bike.qbert2000 said:hey, if you've demod then you know better than me or anyone else here feels best for you. if you can, demo a large before dropping the cash. riding one is infinitely better than asking here. helps to narrow it down, but only your own azz knows the truth.
myself, i could ride a medium too. i got a good deal on a large so i went that way. fits good but there are times i like a smaller frame. i just can't afford that many bikes.
That's crossed my mind a few times.KYMtnBkr said:Perhaps the medium seems small for you because you've been riding a 29er. It's just speculation on my part but it might be something to consider.
no, i wouldn't want a 100mm stem either. the bikes meant for a 50mm. 70mm maybe max but 100mm is too much imho. where are you? maybe someone close to you has a large you could try.trb2929 said:LBS only has a med as a demo. I just rode a buddies Trance with a similar setup to what I want to build. His bike felt fine which was a med Trance 50mm stem. I also confirmed the demo had a 90mm stem. Trances seat tube is a degree different.Hard call as I just don't want a 100mm stem on this bike.
Phoenix, Az.qbert2000 said:no, i wouldn't want a 100mm stem either. the bikes meant for a 50mm. 70mm maybe max but 100mm is too much imho. where are you? maybe someone close to you has a large you could try.
Placed a med raw spitfire on pre-order today. I can wait for the awesomeness. 
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
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