I currently ride a 19” 1997 Stumpjumper which has a relatively long stem. Being 6’ 2” I have always felt the cockpit cramped when I am out of the saddle. To compensate for a knee injury, I seem to be taking my weight on my arms more than I should. Having had the local bike shop switch the original flat bar for a riser, the bike felt more comfortable and I temporarily gained confidence. Having fallen off two weeks later sustaining a couple of broken ribs I have decided to look for another bike! (bad workman and all that… )
I have been thinking of a 20.5” Genesis Latitude and putting the smallest stem I can on it to bring the weigh distribution back. I quite fancy returning to steel. I don’t need a full suspension bike for the trails I ride. Comfort and confidence is what I am after.
Any thoughts on the bike selection and in particular the bike setup to help shift the 15st back towards the middle?
456 with a 60mm stem and riser bars.
wanna buy one?
Ragley
It looks like a 20.5" '97 Stumpy has a 24" ETT, the same as that of a 19.5" Soul. 456 is longer still for a similar size (about right for your height). Both slacker too so you'll be further still behind the front axle.
I'm about 6'1" and ride a 19" Latitude - try and sit on some newer bikes as they may feel a lot different to a '97 Stumpjumper
I'll do a trip to the bike shop tomorrow and check out some 19 inch frames. I understand why shops tend not to stock the bigger sizes however it is a drag when you are thinking of buying one!
Anyone any idea of where I can find the official geometry/measurements for a 97 stump jumper?
I tried Google but failed to come up with anything. It would help with the research on-line tonight.
Anyone any idea of where I can find the official geometry/measurements for a 97 stump jumper?
Try retrobike's archives, they will probably have a catalogue for that era. Can't imagine it varied much between years around then, if you can't find that exact year.
I would suggest comparing geometry from a 97 bike to a current model is a bit of a waste of time as things have changed. The front end would be generally higher and slacker giving a totally different feel even if the virtual TT length was the same.
I would test ride what is available and start from there. A current Spesh rockhopper will be based on a Stumpjumper from several years ago and would be a good place to start for well respected middle of the road geometry. If you are a big unit you could even go mad a try a 29er?
I'd go somewhere that can do a proper bike fit for you.
If you've got an ideal position for all the contact points as a start point you'll be able to make a decision.
Just picking a bike that seems 'about right' and playign around with stem lengths is possibly just going to be an expensive experiement?
I'd go somewhere that can do a proper bike fit for you.
Nah, with all due etc, not for an MTB unless you mean staff with a good understanding of bike set-up for a certain use. Road-bike style fitting services for MTB are questionable imo, at best. Just accept that a modern bike 'may' feel quite different to a 97 Stumpy, in a good way, and that you can adapt to thngs that feel odd at first. It's hard to get it right first time but you shouldn't be more than a stem and post swap away from ideal if you get good advice. Some bikes aren't that different though, 100mm-forked 71 HA bikes are still popular with many.