[rvanderwerf]

Well, took the old boy into the LBS and my fork is so bad it makes the front wheel wobble and brakes hit, so it's time to put it out to pasture, over 300 to fix that including all the other cables and maintenance issues.

I've looked at all the LBS around Austin, can't find one that has the standing height I need (771mm is the smallest I've found). I'm 5 9' with a 30.25" inseam, 220 lbs - the Talus 29er I tried, is a little too close for comfort when I stand over it).

So (I can hear the creaking groans of asking about this place because I'm new here) I am interested in the 2011 Motobecane Fantom 29Comp or Pro (they offer a 15" frame, perfect for me, can't find that anywhere else for under 1k). The price difference between the two is only 95$. I'm a weekend rider, mostly single trac trails (My favorite place is Walnut Creek Park in Austin). I'd say I'm somewhere around the low end of intermediate. Is the 95$ a no-brainer or would someone like me even tell the difference? (Keep in mind I'm used to my GF bike, which I was happy with, and it's about 10 years old, hell it doesn't even have a lockout on the shock).

Thanks, Ryan

 

[Varaxis]

Fantom will have toe overlap if you don't mind that...

 

[rvanderwerf]

did some reading on the toe overlap

Did some reading, it sounds like this is a bigger problem with smaller frame? I have Forté Carve pedals I would transfer over, some people say move your cleat towards the back. Or do I have to choose between clearance between the legs (17" frame) or toe overlap, or is this just worse on these motobecane's?

My LBS told me if I didn't like the Talus 29er small frame at 771mm clearance then 29ers were probably too big for me, and said it would be ridiculous to ride a 29er with a 15" frame as the rear wheel would be in my back. I'm guessing that's a typical LBS response or some truth to that?

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[LBIkid]

You should always ride was feels comfortable, but a 15" at 5'9" seems really small. I'm the same height and ride 17-18" frame sizes with an effective top tube between 23.75" and 24".

 

[max5480]

Soma Juice has a slopping top tube and a 16" size.

 

[rvanderwerf]

test rode a REI house brand 17" 29er today

again, no clearance standing over it like a small talus, but felt right once I mounted it and rode it. I can see if I go smaller than a 17" frame my foot is going to hit the front wheel a lot, which is extremely annoying. One guy there that was shorter recommended I just put a bmx pad on the top tube, as at my height and shorter inseam that's about as good as I get without too much toe overlap. (Unless I can find a frame where there there is a dip in the top tube, like in a women's bike?)

Ryan

 

[rvanderwerf]

Soma Juice looks exactly like what I want, is there a place that has something like that frame already assembled into a bike or some kind of kit so I knew what parts were all compatible together? I don't think I'm quite at that level of building a bike from scratch yet.