I have been thinking about buy a hardtail for some more local riding it would need to be cheap. This is on some very short runs so, not steep, twisty with jumps. Not for nice long xc rides. I am usually a large (~6'1"+) but was thinking due to the intentions of this bike maybe down sizing would be a good idea, I used to do this years ago to get a more maneuverable bike. I have been looking at bikes around 2018 if that is important. Is this idea still valid? Anyon else size down on any of their bikes?
I used to do this years ago to get a more maneuverable bike.
Hora, is that you?
Is this idea still valid?
Honestly, it never was. Just buy a bike that's the right size for you.
Don't. You'll gain more maneuverability by having the bars the right distance away from you, rather than having a low top tube. (Which you can probably get on a bike of the right size anyway.)
If you know what size stack and reach you prefer then buy one based on that, not on the nominal sizing or manufacturers recommendations. I like a hardtail about 440-450mm reach which is shorter than a lot of manufacturers recommend for my height these days. For 2018 frames it would probably be spot on.
the right size bike is the most maneuverable and balanced one
At your height I wouldn't be going to a medium, especially if it's a bit older and probably shorter.
the right size bike is the most maneuverable and balanced one
And, conversely, the one that will be the most manoeuvrable and balanced will be one that is the right size
Yeah. Don't do that. Buy the right bike and right size.
A big difference will be getting something with a very low standover. By way of example, I've just got a Ragley Big Al and its way longer in pretty much every aspect than the bike it replaced, but it feels like a BMX due to its v low standover and BB height.
I prefer my hardtails to have a reach if about 440-450 for general riding whereas on full sus bikes I like a longer reach.
I still like slack head angles and low top tubes, just think a slightly shorter HT rides better for what I do.
I’m 5’aa and my 29er has a 440 reach, 440 rear centre, 415 seat tube (with 200mm dropper) and a 63.5 head angle.
I think next time I’d quite like a mullet of 275 wheeled HT
I agree with Andrew Major’s rule of -2 for hardtails (for seat angle and head angle) which takes into account the differences between a HT and FS.
I quite like smaller hardtails. We've got a lot of stuff locally that's either flat, twisty and very tight XC or DH trails that are really steep and twisty and relatively slow. I find a smaller wheelbase is lots of fun in those places. It's more nimble and hoppy and I have a lot of fun on it. I'm 1.81 tall and I think my hardtail has a 450 (static) reach, although it's also got a 64-degree head angle.
It's does feel pretty sketchy at high speed compared to bigger bikes, sure, but I haven't died yet, I'm not racing and it makes me grin.
Interesting views thanks. Generally get the right size but also some interesting points on ht Vs full sus. I will see what stack and reach my full sus is and work from there and see if I can hunt a deal out somewhere! Thanks all
Have look on YouTube at Hardtail party's channel. He's done a video on new v old school geometry. It helped me with understanding the technique to suit longer slacker bikes. Doesn't mean you have to, just if you do by one, don't ride it like an old school hard tail. It's a brilliant channel as well.
When I got my first "proper" mtb from Halfords many man moons ago the guy in the shop advised I size down for that reason. I rode that bike for years.
It wasn't until I replaced it with a properly sized bike I realised how restrictive it was.
I wouldn't size down again.
My DJ bike has a reach may e 80mm shorter than my trail bike. It's much more manouverable, and a lot of fun to ride. There's a reason noone rides BMX with 29er wheels. I'm 6'2 and I think the reach is around 430mm
It's fine for riding trails on too, a bit worse over bumpy stuff.
Go for it
I still like slack head angles and low top tubes, just think a slightly shorter HT rides better for what I do.
Same here. Makes sense to me when you’re relying on the fork so much more on an hardtail. Although it’s more that I’ve “sized up” for the full suss I suppose. Size names are guidance only.
It wasn’t until I replaced it with a properly sized bike I realised how restrictive it was.
Similar story with me. Although I've always bought the "right-sized" bike for me, over the years they've gone up in reach etc. Each iteration has made me feel more confident because it's more stable, and because I'm more confident I'm going faster, and because I'm going faster, the poppiness/playfulness thing hasn't been an issue.
I used to go over the bars fairly frequently, since getting on the right sized bike, it hardly ever happens.
Downsizing makes less sense with 29er wheels
I used to like small frames when younger (15-16" seattube), despite being 5' 10", as I liked putting my seat super low for descending (probably got this from trials riding as a kid)
Nowadays, my butt will hit my rear wheel first anyway
There is a reason people ride bmx with 29er wheels.
YouTube bike life with SE bikes, think big bmx's with big wheels for tricks & trouble
I've been on a 520mm reach full suss and hardtail for ages. I had a 480mm reach hardtail that mostly just got used for having my son on a kids ride shotgun seat stolen.
I replaced the stolen bike with an old coctic rocket with a 470mm reach. 10mm of reach surely wasn't going to make much of a difference.
I hated it. I gave it a few goes, and continued to hate it so sold it on.
I thought it would be perfect for the tight and twisty woods near me, it just felt absolutely wrong.
Based on that, if get something with a similar reach, but something else different. Different amounts of suspension? Faster/ or stickier tyres.
Was very helpful when I was looking for something to replace the rocket 😃. It was helpful to see all the manufacturers number in one place