I'm considering havinga Blur LTC and don't know what size would feel best, I'm 5'9 and a teeny tiny bit with a 31" inside leg, there's no mediums anywhere to demo so I'm kinda relying on the feel of the large. The only one I've been on was a large with 15deg 100mm stem, felt too stretched out and handlebar felt too high.
Having spoken to a bloke he reckons go for a long top tube but with a 50 - 70mm stem, quicker steering, more central in the bike when out of the saddle, that kinda thing.
What do you lot reckon? Will the large be more difficult to move about?
Medium.
what're the top tube lenghs of the two sizes?
I had this exact same problem when choosing the Heckler (which has same TT length) - I went for the large and shortened the Stem from 100mm to 70mm (+1" TT length = -25.4mm at least on the stem length).
I choose the large option with a shorter stem and for me it was the right choice - I find the bike handles superbly and I have better control, the medium just felt 'squashed'??
I would ask the LBS who has the demo to swap the stem for the shorter one so you can try it (probably easier than them getting a medium demo) - I can't imagine they would say no, bearing in mind the value of the sale they might get... 😯
Just for your info here's the geometry for the Blur in case you need it?
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Long TT short stem.
if you've got short legs go for a medium as the large has a higher standover regardless of stem length issues, as you may well end up having to fish you nadgers out of your abdomen in the event of a quick dismount!
it's a close call
I'm taller 5'11" and I run two bikes
one with a 23" TT and 65mm stem - the play/hack/local stuff bike
one with a 23.5" TT and a 80mm stem - more XC
I'd say the large with a 50/60mm stem though, if pushed.