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I almost cringe posting yet another BFe sizing thread, so I'll keep this brief.
I'm 177cm (just under 5'10" in old money), 29" inseam.
I don't do all day epics, will never ride anything other than trail-centers or short local loops.
I'm crap so prefer confidence inspiring handling rather than long distance comfort. Need to be able to climb though so riding partners don't get peed off waiting for me.
I like short to mid travel forks.
Should I get a 16" BFe (they're cheap at the mo)?
Maybe, though it sounds like the Soul might be more your bag as the geometry is pretty much the same, yet is lighter and perfectly suited to trail centres. More expensive mind.
You're probably right on that front, but I'm happy with the added weight for lower cost.
im exactly the same height and inside leg as you and I ride a 17.5" BFe but that was because I wanted a larger frame for xc ish duties and didn't want to shell out for a soul.
always ridden 16" hardtails in the past and I don't notice that much difference so a 16" should be fine with a longish seatpost
Of similar proportions and have a 16" BFe. Have had no problems with short or long rides with 140mm forks, certainly good for hooning about on! Have recently moved to the dark side of 29er's so looking to sell my frame just haven't got round to putting it in the classifieds yet. If you're interested, it's a classic BFe in blue, about 18 months old...
5'10" here. I have a medium Soda for "proper" all day riding and a small BFe for dicking around on. The small Bfe is actually surprisingly OK uphill (until I reach the limits of a 1x10 setup), and a lot quicker downhill with 150mm forks on. The Soda is much faster/more efficient to climb on, though, and far more comfortable after 4+ hours
You could get away with either, in other words.
hmm.
I'm 5,9 (and a half yeah!)...
Currently ride a small dialled PA which is amazing for about the first 2 hours. And then a bit cramped.
I'm having thoughts about frame swapping for a medium PA or a small soul or a medium soul. Not sure which I'd want to go for... would be gutted to lose fun factor but really am a bit too squeezed at the moment.
Mind you 15.5 PA is shortish (I think about 60-70m stem) and only 685 bars. Could go bigger I guess?
what to do?
Firstworldfridayafternoonproblems
I had a Soul and a BFe... Don't fixate on the weight, it's not that big a difference- it's more about feel, the Soul always felt lively and inspiring, it's one waggy-tailed dog. The BFe with a fairly similiar build was probably only about a lb heavier but it felt more capable than inspirational- it'd do absolutely anything the Soul would do obviously, and more, but it didn't make me want do it as much.
BFe was by no means bad, mind, it was just less brilliant, but if I was in your shoes I'd hold on for a Soul, no doubt at all.
YMMV of course. Oh and I'd go medium, I'm 5'10 though with a little more leg. My BFe was small, it worked fine but my Soul, Hemlock and Soda are all medium and feel perfect. They're still pretty compact frames.
TBH - I have both (don't bid on ebay on two frames just before taking a 24 hr flight, when you land you might fine you have both!). I prefer the BFE ... more solid feel and it just rides (for me) better ...
im same height and inside leg as you,
i ride a medium BFe, 140mm fork, 70mmm stem, 740mm Bar
a small would be more chuckable, but would rather have my medium