Can I Go Down A Frame Size Mountain Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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You can adjust your saddle height up or down to accommodate seat tube length . Reach cannot be adjusted. You’re stuck with it. A bike with too short a reach will always be too small.

Is it better to get a bigger or smaller mountain bike frame?

If your arm span is longer than your height, go for a bigger frame . If it’s shorter, get the smaller one. On a bigger bike, the reach to the handlebars will be longer. If you have proportionally longer arms, you are likely to feel more comfortable on a bigger frame.

Can I ride a smaller bike frame?

A smaller frame can provide more traction and responsive handling . Yet if the frame is too small, it may become too difficult to handle. Instead of making a dramatic change, consider going one size smaller. If you ride a bike with a 17-inch frame, try a 16-inch frame for mountain biking.

What do I do if my mountain bike is too big?

If you’re current bike seems too big, you can get some relief by pushing the stem further down the seat tube and adjusting the saddle position to compensate for the larger frame . For example, lowering the handlebars and saddle height and removing all the spacers from the seat post may help the bike fit a little better.

What happens if your bike frame is too small?

Having too small of a bike places you too far forward on the bike . Sliding your saddle back can help solve this. The first way to do this is to loosen the bolts on the rails of the saddle and slide it back as needed. If you find you can’t slide it back far enough, you can get a seat post that has increased set-back.

What size mountain bike if you are 5 9?

Rider Height Suggested Women’s Mountain Frame Size Feet & Inches Centimetres Frame Size (inches) 5’2′′ – 5’6′′ 158cm – 168cm 15′′ – 16′′ 5’7′′ – 5’9′′ 168cm – 178cm 17′′ – 18′′ 5’10” – 6’1′′ 178cm – 185cm 19′′+

Is it OK to buy a bike one size smaller?

So, in short, more power is almost always ideal, but how long it can be maintained in a certain position, and how comfortable that position is, is what really matters for most riders. Neither a smaller or bigger frame is better for everyone and generalizations in frame sizing are almost always risky.

Does frame size matter on a mountain bike?

Broadly speaking we’d recommend getting the largest frame size that still affords you an acceptable amount of standover . Even if you’ve “always ridden a Large”, don’t be surprised if you find yourself ending up looking at XL or even XXL size bikes. That’s just how it is.

Why do pros use smaller bike frames?

Pro cyclists choose smaller frames to acquire a more aerodynamic position thanks to the lower head tube . Also, compact frames are more agile, easier to manipulate, and have a shorter wheelbase resulting in more stability when cornering.

Is 21 inch bike too big?

A 21 inch bike frame is an XXL size suitable for people over 6 foot 2 inches tall .

What size bike should I get for my height?

Rider Height Suggested Frame Size Feet and Inches Centimeters Inches 5′ 1′′ – 5′ 5′′ 155 – 165 15 – 16 5′ 5′′ – 5′ 9′′ 165 – 175 17 – 18 5′ 9′′ – 6′ 0′′ 175 – 183 19 – 20

Can I ride a bike that is too big for me?

There’s really nothing you can do about a bike that’s too big . Too small is a relatively minor issue, and means the bike might be less comfortable, and/or a bit less efficient on the climbs. Too big, means you need a new bike.

How do I know if my mountain bike is too big for me?

Measure the length of your current bike’s seatpost from BB to seat clamp, then compare it to the length of the two size options . If the larger of the two options is much longer than your current bike, you will either have to fit a lower travel dropper or the bike will be too big.

What size mountain bike is right for me?

Rider Height (in) Rider Height (cm) Frame Size (in) 4′ 10′′ – 5′ 2′′ 148cm – 158cm 13′′ – 14′′ 5′ 3′′ – 5′ 6′′ 159cm – 168cm 15′′ – 16′′ 5′ 7′′ – 5′ 10′′ 169cm – 178cm 17′′ – 18′′ 5′ 11′′ – 6′ 1′′ 179cm – 185cm 19′′ – 20′′

How do you tell if a bike is too small for you?

One of the main factors in determining when a bike is getting too small is the saddle height and seat post length . If a bike is too small you will no longer be able to set the saddle height high enough. Every seat post should have a minimum insertion line marked onto the metal.

Does bike frame size matter?

The bike frame size matters because it determines your cycling posture and comfort . A wrong frame size messes up your posture, translating to body pains like backache, wrist pain, and knee pain, among other issues.

How do I know if bike is too big?

How tall should you be for a 29 inch bike?

If you are under 5’6” tall, a 26-inch mountain bike is still likely to be a better fit. If you’re 5’6′ or taller , you should be able to find a 29er model to fit you. Riders more than 6′ tall can rejoice: You’ll definitely enjoy a more natural riding position with the size and frame geometry of a 29er.

Can a 5’9 person ride a large mountain bike?

I’m 5’9′′ and usually ride a ‘medium’ in surly sizes , which is about 16-18 top tube. However, your body proportions are likely a bit different, so the only way is to ride a few and get a feel. Keep in mind, what feels good cruising on the road, might be different from what feels good on singletrack.

Is a 26-inch bike good for what height?

Bikes with 26-inch wheels are designed for people who are between a height of about five feet to the smaller end of six feet . If you’re taller than that, then your bike should have larger tires and more space in length.

Is a 16 inch bike frame too small?

Bike size Frame size Rider height Extra-small 13-14in 152cm-162cm (5ft-5ft 4in) Small 14-16in 162cm-170cm (5ft 4in-5ft 7in) Medium 16-18in 170cm-178cm (5ft 7in-5ft 10in) Large 18-20in 178cm-185cm (5ft 10in-6ft 1in)

How tall is a 27.5 bike?

What height is a 27.5 bike for? Mountain bikes with 27.5 inch wheels are suitable for adults of all heights . These bikes offer nimbler handling than 29 inch wheeled MTBs. Sometimes they are only available in smaller frame sizes and some shorter riders prefer the fit of a bike with 27.5 inch wheels.

How do I know if my mountain bike is too small?

  1. Feeling Squashed. Bikes that are too small force the rider into a hunched position which reduces the amount the rider is able to move around on the bike. ...
  2. Feeling Unstable at Speed. ...
  3. Not Comfortable.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.