[ProjectDan35]

I went to a bike shop the other day and i rode some bikes. a 15inch frame was too small, 17inch was perfect, and a 19inch was too big. But, I'm only 16 and 5'10 1/2...should I leave some growing room and get a 19 or buy a 17?

 

[ProjectDan35]

I plan on ordering a bike very soon and would like to know...........

 

[BEEB]

what about 18 ?! is a common size frame and probably would be better for long therm

 

[ProjectDan35]

Looking at specialized's website, they don't make that for their rockhopoper's.

 

[common_man]

Ia 19inch was too big

why was it too big? were you stretched out too much? could you comfortably straddle over the bike? if you can lift the TT up to your pubic bone with decent pressure and get the wheels 2" off the ground (1" minimum w/ discretion), then go for the 19" with a shorter stem. i'd go for the 19" but everyone is different (same goes for mfrs). i'm shorter than you at 5'9" and 17.5 is waay too small. ultimately you are the best judge. don't go purely by numbers or what others do.

 

[ProjectDan35]

Well, i was listening to what the LBS guy was telling me. i Straddled a 19 and it was pretty darn close to touching, 17 was a bit lower, but I fell i will grow out of it and if im going to spend this kind of money, i don't want to grow out of a bike. so you think a 19" would be good? I'm most likely still growing a bit more.

 

[BEEB]

Looking at specialized's website, they don't make that for their rockhopoper's.

ok.. i got it.. i thought you were talking about random bikes frames not about a specific model
i might be wrong but takes some years to switch from 17 to 19.. is not smth thats gonna happen in 1yr

 

[ProjectDan35]

ok.. i got it.. i thought you were talking about random bikes frames not about a specific model
i might be wrong but takes some years to switch from 17 to 19.. is not smth thats gonna happen in 1yr

But once i buy a bike, im keeping it for a damn long time, i don't have money to buy a bike when i grow out of it, i grew 1 1/2 inches since january..........

 

[common_man]

Well, i was listening to what the LBS guy was telling me. i Straddled a 19 and it was pretty darn close to touching, 17 was a bit lower, but I fell i will grow out of it and if im going to spend this kind of money, i don't want to grow out of a bike. so you think a 19" would be good? I'm most likely still growing a bit more.

i say go for the 19 but the final decision is based on how you felt riding the bikes.

your fit while you ride the bike is most important - not while you straddle over it. having said that, if you do a lot of technical riding where you have to get off the saddle, then this changes things. i do a lot of cross country riding without big rocks blocking my way - so i always stay on the saddle.

advantage to having a larger bike: handlebars are high up for comfort. no back pain. better for descents. you can shorten the stem length no problems. with traditional geometry, they say a shorter stem makes the handling twitchier but this is debated.

if you can lift the TT up to your pubic bone and have 2" off the ground and wheels...based on your description i predict this is the case...then you're fine. having too much SO is only useful for very technical riding...otherwise having too much SO means low handlebars & super high seat post which for me does not equal comfrot.

good luck!

 

[BEEB]

common_man got a good point
im like 6.2 and i got a 22" XC bike... in reality i need just 20" but if you dont go hardcore is awesome to have a bigger bike

in the pic the saddle is at min... i really ride it with the saddle at the same level as the stem
so like 2.5-3 inches higher then in the photo
so go back to the store.. get on the 19" one and see if you can ride that with the saddle really low... and if you can sit on the saddle and on the floor at the same time in a decent way...

 

[ProjectDan35]

I'm never really off the saddle, even if it is technical, I'm pretty good about finding a way through without putting my feet down. I'm definitely going to take another spin on a 19"

if you can lift the TT up to your pubic bone and have 2" off the ground and wheels...based on your description i predict this is the case...then you're fine.

Are you talking about the 19"?

 

[common_man]

Are you talking about the 19"?

yes. notice that i'm trying to be specific about how to measure "clearance" although i'm unintentionally over emphasizing it as i always do. 2" is ideal, 1" is minimum IMO. it sounds like 19" is definitely the way to go, especially for your riding style. your fit while you ride is most important.

 

[airdonut41]

I'm 5'10" as well, 19 years old and I went with a 19 inch hardrock sport disc. I got about 2" when straddling it, and so far it seems to fit pretty well. I've been riding it for a few months without problems (well, other than breaking stuff). I'd go with the 19 if I were you.

 

[trailville]

I'm an inch shorter than you and I would generally go with a 19" frame over a 17" frame. Standover clearance is not the best way to fit a mountain bike and you don't need as much standover as you think.

 

[mnigro]

FWIW, I'm 5'8 and my 17" RH fit me like a glove. Sounds like you'd be better off going with the 19".
Worst case scenario, you can always swap frames in a year or two.