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I have a PP Oka xl - but it’s blessed with quite a low stack height, which is not working for my old bones.
I have a FlareMax XL - so bigger wheels, the same suspension travel etc but the front end is considerably higher.
Any thoughts on replacing the frame - I think I have come to the conclusion that I will probably have to go 29er rather than 27.5 . I like the Cotic longshot geometry- so a Bfe or New Solaris would make sense ...
Anything else but with a highest front end ( I have neck issues) - and do use riser bars
Be careful of the Cotics, the really slack head angle and “normal” length head tube on my Solaris means the bar height is pretty low. I’ve lengthened my forks to 140mm from 120mm to get the bars higher and I’ve heard a few others have done the same.
Banshee Paradox. Bird Zero 29.
Custom Marino frame? You could go as long as you wanted.
and “normal” length head tube
Latest SolarisMAX has a 10mm longer head tube than the previous version.
Pole Taival has a pretty high stack.
Apologies if I betray my lack of knowledge of bike geometry won't spacers under the stem and cutting the fork steerer tube to allow this solve this problem on most frames.?
“Apologies if I betray my lack of knowledge of bike geometry won’t spacers under the stem and cutting the fork steerer tube to allow this solve this problem on most frames.?”
Yes but it means you lose reach - and it doesn’t look as nice (and will be a bit bendier).
Go forbid it doesn't look as nice. My medium Big Dog is 110mm + 35mm of spacers + a Riser bar and it's still and inch or three lower than the saddle. I'm 5' 8". Define "bendier".
There is a maximum amount of spacers you should run too I believe.
Go rigid and get a Jones? More of an upright riding position.
Or a stooge scrambler - designed for high front end
I had neck problems due to a low front end and a 2" rise in the bar sorted it all out lovely. Not bendy and doesn't look gopping IMO.
This is the answer to your prayers. I used to fit dozens of these horrible things when I worked in a bike shop.
Or buy a 40 to 50mm high bar. I just fitted a 40mm high Fatbar and it feels much better than the 15mm it replaced.
I'm over by 5mm on the stem and 10mm on the seatpost. How it's supposed to fit anyone at the upper end of the suggested fit range is beyond me
For the OP - it might be a bit obvious, but as you are comparing your full sus with a hardtail, the HT will sag at the front only, so comparing static geo means you're already starting out with a like for like real world lower front end feel. 29ers will probably start with an advantage here and longer travel forks will obviously sag more from the static figures.
I'm 6'2 and look for stack heights over 650mm - even then on 130mm forks I need a defy stem and 38mm rise on the bars. I'm on a Kenesis Rise HT and the geo fits the bill, but that might not be what you are after for other reasons!
Already have a fair number of spacers under the stem.
And I also get the loaded geo thang. But the PP does have a very short head tube - and a recessed headset.
I do have riser bars on it ... maybe I need bigger riser bars ...
And the dropper post has just gone tits up ( but that was my crack handed mechanics)
Spank Spoon bars can be had with a 60mm rise
Once you get to 60mm rise - something tells me the frame needs changing