I have an S3 Levo SL which is perfect for me in terms of size at 5’ 7 and a little bit. I also want a non electric bike as well and would have bought a Specialized stumpjumper 15 but can’t afford one. There are lots of deals on Scott Genius and I bought a small 910 ex hire, however because of my height, I am between sizes - in fact I am size S on the ordinary Genius and medium on the Genius SL ( On the Scott sizing guide) due to the slacker head tube angle! The small does feel small (even if the reach to handlebars is the same as ‘perfect’ S3 Levo SL and the RAD is 1cm smaller only due to the low rise bars which could easily be changed) and the medium feels big. Having ridden a medium Yeti SB 160 in medium at my local trails I hated it (maybe due to the 465 reach - 460 for the medium Genius) as it felt slow and unwieldy. So I decided to downsize to the small. Having previously downsized and regretted it I am having second thoughts but the geometry is the same as my perfect bike as the stem is 10mm longer. Any thoughts?
I do mostly red and black trails but need to pedal up!
"geometry is the same as my perfect bike as the stem is 10mm longer. Any thoughts?"
What numbers are you comparing? What reach is your S3 Spesh? What seat angle is your S3 Spesh? The seat angle can drastically affect how 'big' a bike feels when seated ie. Speshs feel longer because the saddle is further away from the handlebar when saddle at full height due to Spesh's very slack actual seat angle.
The seat angle can drastically affect how 'big' a bike feels when seated
This is definitely something to think about. I have a carbon Hightower and a Whyte E-160 rsx, the Whyte is longer reach and wheelbase (both medium frame) but feels shorter when riding due to the steeper seat tube angle