I am looking for a trail dual suspension bike. I notice that a lot come with straight through dropper posts and short stems. I have always run a layback post, just seems to work as I am long-backed. Can I just run a longer stem to 'correct' the position or should I size up to stretch the reach. The bike I am interested in, I will not be able to test ride first.
Longer stem will alter the handling. Layback posts are for people who bought a frame that was too small 😉
Longer TT with similar stand over is quite normal these days, have a look at those numbers first. I couldn't try the bike I was getting but found something I had slung a leg over with very similar numbers - or a shout out on here for somebody near you that has one
Bike fitting sequence is always: saddle - pedals - bars. Most importantly is saddle height and pedal position - the amount of layback achieved either by seattube angle + saddle layback and is mainly a function of femur length. MTBs have gravitated towards non-layback posts because of steeper seattube angles and droppers. If your seat is too far forward and you fit a longer stem, it'll throw your weight forward - possibly losing rear wheel traction and more front wheel wash-out - you'll probably generate less power too as you can't engage the quads as effectively. Go for the frame that puts your bum in the right place and adjust the reach / stem / bars accordingly.
f you're getting a bike with the latest geometry you'll probably have to adapt your riding style to get the most out of it.
I too have a long back in comparison to my legs. I've recently gone to a shorter stem, less layback seatpost on the same frame. It took a bit of getting used to but now it feels great. Much more capable.
Thanks for the replies. I will get a cheap post and play around with the position. What I am taking from this is to size up and trade off on stand-over
do you have to trade off standover? What are the actual measurements? and how do they compare to what you ride now?
Only a 20mm difference on the stand-over, and the reach goes from 455mm to 485mm, TT from 621mm to 654mm.
important one is how that compares to what you ride now, is that 20mm a lot?Leave you close?
Based on the numbers I would go from having about 100mm of clearance to 80mm..
sounds resonable to me though can you find something with similar to check out?Whats the bike?
Kona Hei Hei DL, but am open to something similar
I don't consider standover an issue, particularly on an MTB. Why would I need to stand over my bike?
Stand over is always measured at a point that you can't actually get to because the nose of the saddle is poking you in the back but I get the idea that it's useful to be as low as possible.
How tall are you/what's your inside leg and what does you current bike geo look like compared to the one you're looking at? It's all meaningless without pics and /or numbers.
Modern geometry is pushing you forward relative to the pedals so you don't wheelie so easy going up hill and the front is raked out to compensate with a short stem so it doesn't handle like a supertanker and wide bars to give more leverage/slow things down a bit/ get you in a better body position. If you're on an old school short TT bike with lay back seat post and long stem it'll obviously be a completely different (but probably infinitely better) bike.
Again, thanks for the responses, I think I will try to get a test ride of a similar bike
Layback posts are for people who bought a frame that was too small
You've said that before, and I know there's a winky smiley there but it simply isn't true and I do wish you'd stop saying it in case it mis-leads anyone looking for advice.
A layback post should not be used to 'correct reach' though, but there are many reasons why you might need/want one to get your bum and legs in the right place relative to the bottom bracket.