XC Race Bike, What size is right??

Bike Forum

[closed]

XC Race Bike, What size is right??

15 posts & 10 voices | Started 2 years ago by handyman153 | Latest reply from Coleman

Tags:

No tags yet.

handyman153 - Member

I am looking to start XC racing in 2010, but i am coming from a background of Cyclo-Cross, so the type of bike and sizing is a little bit different.
So.... i have got my heart set on one of the Specialized S-Works M5 frames, but i'm not sure whether i would be a 17.5 or a 19.

I have heard people say in the past, that for XC you want a smaller frame, with a longer seatpost and longer stem.
But i have also heard people say you want a bigger frame with a lower seatpost to get the most from your pedalling.

I have had a sit on the specialized bikes in the 2 sizes and both feel fairly comfortable, just not sure which one to go for.

I am just about on the 5'11 mark so wondered what the STW people would recommend, or what they use?

Thanks in advance
Josh..

Posted 2 years ago #
thevanman - Member

Go to a decent shop and get fitted!!

Posted 2 years ago #
handyman153 - Member

thevanman,

I have done, thats why i know both the 19 and the 17.5 feel fine.

I am just wanting some advice on which is better for racing, a smaller or larger frame.

Posted 2 years ago #
oldgit - Member

Just my opinion, but the larger of the two.
For road racing and cross I'd always go a tad smaller and build it out with stem and post.
That didn't seem to work with mountainbikes, most manufacturers put me on a small, but I'd end up with layback posts just teetering on min insertion and mega long stems.
I know there's a general rule about going a bit smaller on mountainbikes but for racing xc I don't think that need apply.
Anyway just my opinion.

Posted 2 years ago #
Merak - Member

I'm the same height as you and I ride an 18' Stumpjumper. Based on the info you've supplied I would recommend the 17.5 frame.

Posted 2 years ago #
cullen-bay - Member

it depends where your length comes from, your legs or your torso.
if its from your legs you want to run a shorter stem and run your saddle further forward. if your back is quite long, the opposite with a small frame.

im 5'11 and i ride a 19" XTC race bike. fits me well.

Posted 2 years ago #
Coleman - Member

Hi Josh,
I'm just over 5'11" and ride an 18" s-works hard tail. Personnaly I would always go for the smaller frame if undecided between two sizes, and Specialized frames do have fairly long top tubes.
I think we live local so if any help you're welcome to take mine for a spin round the park. Will be at Thornbridge race next Saturday or could e-mail if interested.
Cheers
Ian

Posted 2 years ago #
dickie - Member

I think for racing you should be looking for a long toptube to get a racer stretch, but as above it depends if length is in your legs or torso.
I'm 5'11" & always go for a 600mm+ effective top tube. I've just sold a Giant Anthem in medium which I ran with a 100mm stem & layback post but I was always trying to push myself off the back of the saddle. These frames have an effective TT of 595mm but I find myself in between large & medium in Giant frames.
Its personal preference in the end but for me I think would be in between sizes on Spesh too.

Posted 2 years ago #
oldgit - Member

This is the problem with fitting everyone into small/medium/large bikes.
Everything I read said small i.e 16" for my height 5'8" but they were always terrible even other racers would say they were too small.
I now run a medium XTC/18" with 110mm zero rise stem and zero stack, and approx 101/2" of visible post. I do need to fit bar ends to get even flatter for racing.
?

Posted 2 years ago #
handyman153 - Member

Coleman,
Whats you email please mate?
I think i cycled past you yesterday along the A6 in Allestree (on the bright orange specialized) so i think we must live fairly close.
My email is in my profile..

Also thanks to everyone who has replied, quite interesting to hear everyone's opinions.

Thanks
Josh..

Posted 2 years ago #
GJP - Member

I thought the Spesh HT frames came in 17, 18 and 19in frames anyway?

I also find it a bit worrying that you say you have been to a shop and came away with the view that either a 17.5in or 19in would be OK. I would be going to a different shop, especially seeing that you are 5'11" which IMO does seem tall for an 17.5 in race frame?

My reach front/rear of saddle to the centre of the bars measured along the top tube is the same across all my bikes, HT, FS, Road and CX. Don't have a big FS or LT hardtail so all my bikes are towards the racier end of the spectrum.

Looking at your CX bikes may give you a guide as to what total effective TT length you require, then taking into account an ideal stem length and seat post lay back you may get a better indication if one size is really a better fit than another.

Posted 2 years ago #
handyman153 - Member

GJP,
Cheers for that, kind of what i was thinking.
I will go round the shops this coming week and see what i find out.

Just on the frame sizes as well, the S-Works frames only come in 17.5 then 19 there isn't a middle one.

Cheers
Josh...

Posted 2 years ago #
theotherjonv - Member

smaller frame will be lighter, might be a consideration if you are then going to replace everything on it with c-fibre.

Posted 2 years ago #
IA - Member

At 5'11 sounds like the 19 would be best, but as others say depends where your height is, and how you like a bike to feel.

Remember the best solution might be something like the 19 with a shorter stem on. Shorter stems *generally* handle a bit better, so that might be preferable to the smaller bike with a long stem.

I'd go for the one that felt about the same stretch as the cross bike with your hands on the hoods - cos you'll know that's a comfy position for you (that's about how my MTB/cross bikes compare).

Posted 2 years ago #
Coleman - Member

Josh - have sent e-mail.

Posted 2 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies.

Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine

Bike Forum

XC Race Bike, What size is right??

Topic Closed

Don't miss…

Singletrack

Website & Forums

Exits