Hi,
Bit of a basic question, go easy on me... Looking for some advice, please
Had my current bike 12 years , a Genesis Core 26.5 with a 17.5 inch frame.
Looking to buy a Bird Forge. Currently seen one on ebay which is a ML frame.
Bird website says ML frames will suit a minimum height of 5ft 8 / 173cm...
I'd say I'm 'normally proportioned' and about 175cm tall...
I can't try the bike because it's 500 odd miles from me...
I seem to be (just) in the size window according to the Bird website, but what kind of tweaks can I do if it was slightly too big? e.g can I move the seat forward a little, or get a shorter stem?
Any advice would be appreciated, even if it's not what I want to hear. Cheers!
I've a Zero 29 and an AM9, both ML and I'm just under 5'10.
The newer Birds have lower toptubes and I like the space the reach creates, I'd not want to go medium on either of my bikes personally.
The owners group on FB is very active if you wanted to ask on there..
I think you’ll be fine, unless all your height is in your legs (so short torso). The reach isn’t as long as it looks because they quote it at 140mm with 30% sag = 471mm
Convert that to static with a 140mm fork and it’s 453mm reach, or 443mm with a 160mm fork. I’m 179cm tall and riding a hardtail that’s 460mm static reach with a 160mm fork, and it fits really well with a 50mm stem.
I came so close to buying a Forge, they lol great!
I'm about the same height and ride a M/L AM9. ~31/32" leg, and a 170mm dropper and 35mm stem.
I think you'll likely be ok. It will feel quite long compared to your old bike but give it a few miles and you'll wonder how you managed on such a short bike 😄