Mountain Biking - Beginner

bob2oo7

Hi guys

I have decided to take up a bit of Mountain biking and purchase all the gear in the bike to work scheme

Anyways, paid a visit to the bike shop, picked out my bike and gear (total cost around 1400)

Went to get a frame size, and it turns out this may cause some issues

Im 5ft 5 and a 1/4 (very important 1/4 ) and my leg length is approx 27 inches

So quite small, and apparntly I have to be 3 inches above the frame while standing

I tried a 15inch frame and this was too big, the shop are going to come back to me

Are there bikes out there for the vertically challenged? or am I going to have to pay extra for a custom frame?

Thanks in advance

studiorat

Never heard that before the 3" thing.

Anyway you can get 13" frames. My GF has one.

petethedrummer

Just to confirm what studiorat is saying. Specialized do smaller frames. Click 'Geometry' in the link below. http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=51636&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

What sort of bike were you looking at in the shop?

smok

bob2oo7 wrote: »

Hi guys

I have decided to take up a bit of Mountain biking and purchase all the gear in the bike to work scheme

Anyways, paid a visit to the bike shop, picked out my bike and gear (total cost around 1400)

Went to get a frame size, and it turns out this may cause some issues

Im 5ft 5 and a 1/4 (very important 1/4 ) and my leg length is approx 27 inches

So quite small, and apparntly I have to be 3 inches above the frame while standing

I tried a 15inch frame and this was too big, the shop are going to come back to me

Are there bikes out there for the vertically challenged? or am I going to have to pay extra for a custom frame?

Thanks in advance

Personally I think that the bike should feel comfortable. I wouldn't necessarily go by Rules.
What I like to do is rise the saddle up to a point that means on a climb I am almost fully extending my leg. Then on a downhill section I like to put my saddle down low so I can easily put my weight right back over the back wheel. If you can do both these and are comfortable riding the bike then i dont see an issue.

Tenzor07

**Mods pls delete

Tenzor07

As above, go along to a bike shop and see what fits you best...

Are you male or female? As mentioned there are some Women specific frames/bikes that Specialized do...

langdang

Some brands have more of a slant on the top tube than others, what brands/bikes have you looked at?

bob2oo7

Sorry, I'm a male and have visited a local bike shop with a great reputation

I tried a Trek and La Pierre (the latter was recommended more by the sales man, of course its more expensive :rolleyes:)

Tenzor07

Try Eurocycles on the Long Mile road, good stock of bikes at all prices and fitting advice...they have a 15.5" bike which should suit you...

studiorat

Thing is with front suspension, the bike is always going to be a certain height. No matter how small the frame is the front wheel and fork are going to make it a certain height getting smaller will be very difficult.

langdang

Don't take offense now but this is available in 14" (kids bike but it is 26inch wheel - ie fullsized MTB wheel),
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=232&idproduct=40109

It's definitely your inseam is catching you, studio rat is correct about the height of the front of the bike but something like this
http://www.ktm-bikes.at/en/mountain/sport/hardtail-alu/Ultracrosscomfort_copy.php
or
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=nunu
has a lot more gooly room everywhere else than most of the trek range
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/6_series/6000e/