REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

I'm 6ft

1100 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by ThWind81, Jul 3, 2009

ThWind81

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2009

Maybe 6'1". I was about to buy a Forge Sawback 5xx 19" (Their Large size) so I went to my LBS and stood over some bikes. A (Large) Giant, a 19" Rockhopper... and they gave me ... we'll just say, an uneasy feeling between the legs (I am a male). So it seemed clear that I should go for the 17" Forge 5xx. I ordered it and now that it's on it's way I'm a little nervous about it being too small. Do you think I should be concerned? Another part of my thinking is that I used to ride bmx and I want a bike I can whip around, torque on in a standing position, lean to the side between my legs and it seems like a smaller bike will be better for that. Hopefully I can just adjust the seat height and be ok?
Thanks guys... I'll do a review with pics after my trip to Georgia to visit my brother who does some Gary Fishering down there.

http://www.forgebikes.com/saw5red.asp

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Shark

· #2 · Jun 27, 2009

Keep in mind, when you're riding, your feet are on the pedals, not flat standing on the ground.

I'm 6' tall, and ride a 19.5" Trek. Anything smaller doesn't seem to fit me very well. But everyone is different.

Did you test ride any bikes or just stand over them?

ThWind81

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 27, 2009

I should have taken the bikes for a ride but they did seem clearly too large for me just standing over them. I would not feel comfortable with my junk touching the main tube everytime I stood over the bike. Also, if I need to bail I want some clearance. I guess my question is.. Is a frame that is slightly small necessarily a terrrible thing considering my BMX past? Am I thinking along the right lines as far as just being able to adjust the seat to the proper height therefore achieving proper fit while enjoying the benefits of controlling the smaller frame in the twisties?
I guess I'll know how bad/good it is when I get the bike together and try it out! I have heard other 6 footers say that 19" was too big for them so maybe I'm ok. I just hope my last minute decision to go with the 17" wasn't moronical.
Thanks again,
Dustin

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hitek79

· #4 · Jun 27, 2009

Best title ever.

Just put a 150mm stem on it and you'll be set.

ThWind81

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 28, 2009

"Just put a 150mm stem on it and you'll be set."

Aha.. don't you love it when answers just spawn more questions? I have noticed discussions on how different forks change the geometry of the whole bike. Are you suggesting this so that the handlebars will not be so low compared to the seat? Will this negatively effect the stearing/angle? Can someone chime in on this topic? The Forge Sawback 5xx comes with a Dart 1- 100mm fork.
Thanks

http://www.forgebikes.com/saw5red.asp

hitechredneck

· #6 · Jun 28, 2009

congrats im 6' 1" so keep grown...lol just kidding. All jokes aside i ride a M sized gt sanction i think it is 17.5 or so. You will be fine i came from bmx/ freestyle land and i know what you mean about the large feeling like a monster. You might pay for it a lil on long rides you will want to strech out (at least i do). But you can whip it all over the place and not feel really funny in the air. hth.

ThWind81

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 28, 2009

Ha, thanks HiTech! I'm 6'1" when I don't slouch so we're even! I feel a bit better now. I appreciate your reply. I'll put it on the record that I am in that limbo state... you know the one... you've made the order, unfortunately on a Friday, you check the shipping status but it's the weekend so there are no updates, you copy pics from the manufacturers website and maybe even set one as your desktop background, you've already committed but you are still trying to find better deals just to make sure you made a good decision, you scope future fork upgrades in the meantime until you fall asleep and dream of a far away trail that's just perfect for your skill level (expert of course) and your new bike gives you abilities you didn't know you had... I'm sorry.... is it just me!?

ThWind81

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 1, 2009

I received the bike yesterday and got it all put together. With the seat adjusted to my height, the handlebars are in a good position... about even with the seat. The bike looks and feels great. I had to move the shifters in a little bit on the handlebars to give my hands enough grip space. The front brakes had to be installed and both the front and the rear had to be adjusted which took me a little while to figure out how to do properly (Avid BB-5). The brakes have good tension but the stopping power isn't incredible. Will this improve after break-in? I need to have the front derailleur adjusted at my LBS. Otherwise everything seems great.
Gotta run for now.
Dustin

tomsmoto

· #9 · Jul 1, 2009

im 5'7 and would fit the 17.. you're gonna feel cramped once you really start riding, it'll cause back pain and all sorts of other fun things.

dont worry about how the bike feels when you're standing over it..

give it some thought. that bike doesnt fit you.

VTSession

· #10 · Jul 1, 2009

I'm 6 ft and ride a 17 inch hardtail, I love it, its super manuverable and very nimble. You'll be fine.

ssm-gd3

· #11 · Jul 1, 2009

i'm 6ft too, and to tell you the truth my standover clearance is less than an inch on my 19" frame. i wouldn't worry about it.

tomsmoto

· #12 · Jul 1, 2009

the 19 is recommended for people 5'9 to 6'1.. you're almost too tall for the bike a whole size up.

G-AIR

· #13 · Jul 1, 2009

What's your inseam? I am 6'1" with a 32" inseam. Pretty short legs!

I have always rode large frames. Recently I borrowed my buddies medium (23.4" TT) full suspension bike and I loved it. It was easier to flick around, felt more nimble and climbed just as well if not better than my large framed bikes.

I am now doubting if I want to stay with my larges. I road the bike for several rides and never experienced any pain in the back, knees, hips, etc. I guess I need to look at larger mediums or smaller larges. I always seem to be right in the middle of sizes.

On a side note, it seems that most frames are designed around the medium frame size. Do you guys think there are any negative effects as the frame goes to size large or small. (i.e. wheel base, chainstay length, handling traits) I know esthetically the large frames always suffer.

As long as you feel comfortable on the bike I wouldn't worry about it.

TG

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Regular Guest

· #14 · Jul 2, 2009

G-AIR said:
What's your inseam? I am 6'1" with a 32" inseam. Pretty short legs!

TG

Could be wearing saggy shorts......

skottt160

· #15 · Jul 2, 2009

Im about 5"11-6ft depeding on how straight up im standing, and I have a 31" inseam at most. Also, moving from a 19.5 to 17 inch frame was one of the best decisions ive made bike-wise. As well as the 5 inch gain in travel in the back...

anvil_den

· #16 · Jul 2, 2009

ThWind81 said:
"Just put a 150mm stem on it and you'll be set."

Aha.. don't you love it when answers just spawn more questions? I have noticed discussions on how different forks change the geometry of the whole bike. Are you suggesting this so that the handlebars will not be so low compared to the seat? Will this negatively effect the stearing/angle? Can someone chime in on this topic? The Forge Sawback 5xx comes with a Dart 1- 100mm fork.
Thanks

http://www.forgebikes.com/saw5red.asp

From your previous description on wanting to whip the bike around and all...makes no sense to go with long stem. Mine is also an AM setup to whip around and lean hard into turns (rider skill sucks though

)

Long stem + long bar makes me feels like I'm paddling a canoe more than steering a bike.

Going with longish riser bars? Once the length is confirmed, I'll go with the shortest possible stem (and set to lowest possible bar height) that wont make me feel cramp. A setback seatpost can give u another 20-30 mm of adjustment depending on what u buy.

koiom

· #17 · Jul 2, 2009

to add my 2c....
i'm 6ft too. i bought a 19" GT Avalanche 1.0 and didn't mind it too much but my old back was yearning for a dually.
i bought an 18" Haro Xeon and love the fact that the top tube is so much lower, it really seems to make the bike more flickable.
years ago i also had a 17.5" Mongoose Rockadile and it felt the same way.
i think given your BMX past you made a good choice, especially if you'll ride more technical trails

ThWind81

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 3, 2009

Well I took it on its first "real" ride today... felt great, light and solid. I think I'm going to be very happy with the size. At one point I was in an area that looked like bmxers had groomed it a few years back and there were vines and lots of small trees and junk around... I loved being able to weav this bike between trees, under vines and through generally tight places. I'll take pics and link a youtube video within the next few days. The Dart 1 fork actually seems fine considering I'm 180lbs so I'll probably keep it until I wear it out or begin to "outperform" it

Maybe I'll save up for the 19" as well if I find myself doing enough riding! The Forge seems fantastic for the price so far.

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