Choosing the correct mountain bike frame size wasn’t an issue of importance for the most experienced riders in the past, but now for the more serious riders, they’ve realized that there’s much more to riding a mountain bike than just having a good solid bike built to last you all your life. And this is especially true with mountain biking’s newest rage: the dual-suspension bike. These bikes offer a smoother riding experience combined with better control and more comfort. The biggest advantage to owning a dual-suspension bike is that you can take it across most surfaces without worrying about getting stuck or even worse, flipping over. This makes them ideal for tight maneuvers and rock gardens.
Bikes that are designed with a softer suspension, on the other hand, provide a more aggressive riding experience, with increased responsiveness and less comfort. However, even though they’re built differently, both of these mountain bikes still come in different sizes: X-large and Y-back. So choosing the size mountain bike frame you want depends more on what type of riding you plan on doing.
The best way to find out what size mountain bike frame you need is to get on one and try it out. Simply measure your bike’s frame, grab a tape measure, and hop on the back to find out exactly how much space you’ll need to be able to handle the bike with ease. Once you know the size you need, simply take a look at some bikes and find one with the right size, adjust according to your height geometry, and you’re all set.
Of course, not all people have the luxury of riding a bike while wearing comfortable gear. In this case, it might be helpful to know which gears to choose. There are five different gears used for downhill riding: faster, slower, reverse, free, and climb. If you’re going downhill frequently, then you’ll want to make sure you get the extra boost you need by purchasing the reverse gears.
Next, you’ll want to take a look at your bike’s seat tube length and standover. Standover is the distance from the saddle to your head, measured from the top of your head to the bottom of your knee. Seat tube length measures how long the seat tube extends from the bike’s lower back to its handlebars. When measuring for your frame, it’s important to get the measurement at the widest part, between your butt cheeks and the rear wheel.
Next, riders need to understand the importance of getting a bike that has the right geometry. Mountain bikers know that when their tires hit the dirt, it’s time to get down to work. Geometry is the way that each frame is shaped to distribute the weight of a rider’s body and the power of their pedals. Mountain bike frame sizes can vary widely, depending on the type of riding an individual does. Riders with a wide range of skills should consider purchasing a mountain bike with a larger tire and a shorter stem to keep their center of gravity in the lower part of their body.
On the other hand, those who prefer to race up the side of a mountain can do so with a shorter top tube length. This will give them better clearance on top of the bike, and a lower center of gravity. To measure your bike, you’ll need to sit on the bike and look down from about a foot above your saddle. You should also note the top tube length. Measure from saddle to saddle, and then again from the ground to the ground. Stand over the bike and count to fourteen.
For a rider who rides on a variety of surfaces, and who doesn’t like to change their style of riding very often, a far back bike is ideal. These are typically the cheapest bikes on the market. The far back position keeps the weight of the body off the bike’s frame. It also allows a number of positions from which to choose. Riders who prefer to ride on rough terrain should choose a far back bike with a rigid frame and a soft fork. Those who prefer to pedal on smooth pavement should choose a far back bicycle with a softer wheel and a softer fork.
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