What annoys me the most is my naivety/stupidity.

I spent a long time saving up for my first full suss and when I bought this bike they said I would be either this size or the size down!

My bike knowledge is not great, I go more on reviews and forums to get me by and learn as I go and the guys in the shop said that this bike would be a perfect fit so I rolled with it. They didn’t even really set it up for me, just asked my weight and told me rear and front shocks were done to match me and off I went.

Soon as I got on it at home the rear sagged like a bastard. It was at like 150psi and if you run my weight through the Trek figures it should be at least 240psi.

I know I should have asked to be properly fitted, but to be honest I thought they knew what they were doing and set it up accordingly. Especially being a Trek dealer.

Even if it turns out to be the right size, it is clearly too small for me. I should have come here sooner as I’m not going to get much back for it now. Expensive mistake to make!

Just for reference I have found this pic (same size as mine)

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjgzWDEwMjQ=/z/NjsAAOSwMN9XQsTu/$_86.JPG

Well it’s A19.5 V18.5 but yes according to Trek I should be fitting it just fine. Might measure it just in case it’s badged up wrong!

Trek is 19.5 and HT Saracen was 19. Might have adjusted saddle just a tad too high.

The 20.5 Trek was pretty big.

So did a few adjustments. Saddle now level (quite tricky to get level to the eye due to wale tale and drop nose!).

Saddle height now adjusted. Bars are near enough 6mm lower.

I did the elbow on edge of saddle to stem and my fingers just reached the stem (no idea I this is a true measurement or not!!).

Someone mentioned flipping the stem, but as far as I can see its straight so would be no different?!

Anyway, todays pics to bore you with! So still thinking bike is too small? Please imagine me like 3 stone lighter haha!

trek1 by Justin Akehurst[/url], on Flickr

trek2 by Justin Akehurst[/url], on Flickr

trek3 by Justin Akehurst[/url], on Flickr

Was recommended size from the shop! I’m only 5ft 11 and the next size up was down for 6ft 2+.

If it’s too small it’s too small I guess, nothing much I can do about that apart from sell it on!

I sat on the 20.5 and it felt a bit big. The guy in the shop said I would be on on the size down too :-/ will move a few bits here and there and see how I get on.

If the saddle goes up a bit more, even with the spacer my bars might be too low!

Time to exchange the bike!!! Lol

It’s 19.5 which is meant to be up to 6ft 2. Maybe if I was less weighty it would give a better idea of fit!

I have 1 spacer above the bars so could try going up.

Rear needs a bit more pressure for my weight if I go through the Trek recommended settings. I did try the 20.5 but it felt huge! Will straighten the saddle a bit and go from there. My HT was defiantly higher bar wise. Wanted some new bars anyway so might try some cheap funn ones with a bit more rise.

You are right though, I do look massive on the bike… think it’s the pics and clothing lol.

momo – I would strip the Fuel and move it all over (probably with the help of my LBS) but I have no idea what I need to look for in a new frame so my parts would fit! I know the Trek has E2 head tube and a 142x12mm thru-axle, 120mm tapered front fork.

I guess its the 142x12mm that I need to lookout for? And of course something that is ok with 120mm!

I’m looking out for 2nd hand deals too, just in case something pops up!

650b+ looks like an option if I sell mine and not PX it out.

Always liked the Bird Zero, will have a look in to that one further.

Some info on mine:

Fork
Fox Performance 34 Float, FIT4 3-position damper, E2 tapered steerer, 15QR, 120mm travel

Headset
FSA IS-2, E2, sealed alloy cartridge

Wheels
SRAM Roam 30, tubeless strips & valves, 15mm front, 142×12 rear

Shifters
SRAM X1, 11 speed

Rear derailleur
SRAM X1, Type 2

Crank
SRAM X1, 32T X-Sync

Cassette
SRAM XG-1150, 10-42, 11 speed

Seatpost
RockShox Reverb Stealth, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, zero offset

Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc

I definantly do not love it. Maybe its the bike in general and not FS in general. My LBS are always helpful so might ask them what would fit… or you guys!

Pretty sure I will be ok with the fork if I stick with something that takes 120mm. The brakes, gears, dropper hopefully.

Wheels/hubs – no idea!

Not at all, HTs are ace. If you enjoy riding a HT more than a FS and are only able to have one bike (space/cost/whatever), why the biff are you still riding a FS?

Cost – can’t afford both!
Why still riding FS – need to offload/swap it first!

It’s 27.5. Not looked too much in to frames but the few that I have are Bird Zero, Mantra Carbon and OnOne.

Its slipping from largest cog to next cog down, but instantly jumping back up again making it a bit of a fight getting up the climbs in lowest gear.Its like the chain is not properly going on to the cog when peddaling. No problems with the higher gears.

Looking at the Sram guide I cant see clearly which one it means the low limit screw is as the pics they use in their guides are terrible! I’m sure I will get my head around it once I figure it out!

Anyone running Sram X1 1×11 have a photo which points out which screw it is?

Just spoke to LBS and they think it might need a minor tweak to the rear derailler limit screw.

Have said to turn the low limit screw out by a quarter of a turn and see if it fixes it – they said I could just pop in down there but if I can fix it by just 1 small tweak its worth a g.

Now to figure which one the low limit screw is lol!

Thanks, I want to learn, makes things easier! Hopefully half turn will fix, but not the end of the world if not!

You are right about being unsure! I haven’t really done any bike mechanics apart from change pads, saddles, grips etc but I do not to learn!

Will try half a twist when out tomorrow evening and report back.

Can maybe get to lbs Friday if it doesn’t work.

Smaller cogs seem all ok. Only issue is the 2 largest cogs. It must only be a slight adjustment needed as its not permanently slipping in to the smaller cogs.

You put it in lowest gear then as I was climbing it slipped back to smaller cog but instantly back up to biggest cog.

Was not on every rotation. One if those small niggles that causes major riding pain!

Is the barrel adjuster on the derailleur or on the shifter?

Thanks for the tip – will try… but can you let me know what one the barrel adjuster is? lol

Never messed with rear mechs as of yet!

Mudhugger looks postive! Chossing between the 2 sizes:

Front Race Mudhugger
Shorty (Front) Mudhugger

Thinking the shorty to be honest!

Im just looking for front.

Mudhugger does look good, worth helitaping forks first to stop cable ties rubbing?

Mucky nutz also looks small and easier to have in your pack, but this is on that will stay on for the winter and probably most of the time TBH!

Mudhugger has 2 sizes I see, what one are people running?

I also have to consider price too. The 2017 T130s is too much of a stretch. The 2016 model is just about affordable, and the trek even more so.

The cheapest is the one on eBay but has its own down points as it’s too far away to pick up and exchanging that amount of money with a stranger is a risk.

Thanks everyone, the Whyte as suspected has the most votes.

I do have a soft spot for the trek but it’s that heart vs head debate!

Yeah the £200 hike is quite a bit TBH. You can still find the odd 2016 model if you search hard enough!

Get the RS if you can afford it (or want to spend the extra), either are great bikes (rode the s over the weekend).

I see that wheelbase have large in stock – how did it arrive, much to put together and set up?

I like both bikes!!!!

Seat tubes seem pretty short on the whyte meaning the large should be all good. I just want to check it for reach before buying.

There is a ‘as new’ large I am looking at which is the 2016 Yari model – did they change a great deal for 2017? Looks like all measurements are the same fit wise.

Where abouts are you? Makes sense to sit on both anyway just to rule one out.

Im considering a Jeffsy (entry lvl AL) but still not 100% on a 29er.

I keep toying between the Jeff and sticking with 650b and getting the remedy 8 which is same price.

Both have pikes, decent rear fork but the Jeff is 2×10 SLX and the Trek 1×11 GX.

I need to get my head round it asap as need new wheels!

Invisframe it is, will order tonight.

Ahh thanks – I thought that might be the case! It will be on the YT Jeffsy so will assign some hours to it!

Built one up this morning and above budget for me. Great bike though and sure it will sell well. Grey looks really nice.

Pre orders start tomorrow!

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-bird-aeris-120

Looking at the entry level AL one myself, just a big risk buying without being able to try it!