Ok so ive decided that i need to get out more and an ebike is on the cards to try and enable myself to do so. Ive narrowed this down to a levo for a number of reasons.
The issue im facing is i cant decide whether i need an S2 or an S3. Now heres the info. Ive sat on an S3 and it feels similar to my stumpy but a bit bigger. I cant get on an S2 anywhere locally.
Im currently running a 2019 Stumpjumper in a medium. Its a 29er and i love the bike. The only issues ive had are the seat tube sometimes i cant get low enough and it feels like i am in the bike rarther than on it. This makes flowy stuff great but on steeper stuff i find myself getting tied up in the top tube if i need to dab (and falling off)
Ive included my old liteville in the geometry as i liked this but it felt too short for me.
Both levos have a longer reach but the s2 has a significantly shorter top tube and the S3 significantly longer reach. Im unsure which to go for. Any input appreciated.
How tall are you?
My other half (around 5'5" tall) rides an S2, lovely bike but I wouldn't want it for myself and I'm not exactly massive at 5'9" (on a good day). The other thing that would put me off is that the max seatpost insertion depth is a bit naff by current standards, worth bearing in mind if wanting to go as low as you can
Edit: geometry geeks says the S2 has a 150mm post, I'm sure it's actually a 125mm
Edit 2: and the max insertion isn't 220mm, its 210mm
Im 5ft6 on a good day
I went from a MK11 Liteville 301 in large to an S3 Stumpjumper Comp. Fits me perfectly. I'm 5'8". I've still never got my head around reach/stack and base most of my sizing on top tube length though
Im 5ft6 on a good day
Now I see you're dilemma. TBH, I think either will be fine for you. Just a question of going for a more progressive or conservative approach
The issue im facing is i cant decide whether i need an S2 or an S3. Now heres the info. Ive sat on an S3 and it feels similar to my stumpy but a bit bigger. I cant get on an S2 anywhere locally.
You're spending a chunk of cash, travel further?
FWIW both Alpine at Glentress and the Bike Shop in Innerleithen hire out Spesh ebikes, come up and try one here. In fact if you rang them, they might be happy to do a 50/50 so you can try both sizes.
My eldest daughter is 5' 5" and rides a medium Stumpjumper and a S3 Turbo Levo. S2 felt far too small for her
Yea the s3 looks a better fit and isnt too dissimilar to what ive got now.
You’re spending a chunk of cash, travel further?
There's a lot to be said for trying a bike out. Getting the wrong size is kind of annoying.
Are your legs and arms long or short?
I seem to be more comfortable sizing down, and I think that’s partly because I have a -ve ape index. I want the bars a bit closer so my weight doesn’t get pulled forward on the steeps.
That said, I’d like to try a longer bike with a 32mm stem and 16 degree backsweep bars.