how important is it to have the correct size frame?

mullanp

I bought a bike many years ago and to be fair it hasn't gotten much use but I intend to change that this year. When I bought it I got no advice whatsoever from the shop about frame size etc but I have since been told the the frame is too big for me. I'm 5ft 7' and the frame is 20 inch I think., but does it really make that much of a difference? BTW it's a cheap Raleigh mountain bike cost around 250 about 10 yrs ago.

topcat77

for comfort it's vital. If you feel comfortable and good on your bike you'll use it a lot more.

boomdocker

would you wear a pair of shoes that were too big or small?

dazed+confused

It's important, but not as crucial as a correct fit in a shoe. After all a saddle and bars can be raised and lowered to compensate, shoes can't. I've always bought a size bigger than recommended in the shop because I find it more comfortable and think a bike looks better if there isn't 12+ inches of seat post showing. So don't be totally swayed by the size charts for your height etc. Ride/buy the bike that you find most comfortable.

laraghrider

It's not vital to be honest but you can't stray too far from what should be your ideal frame size. It's certainly not in the same ball park as wearing a pair of shoes too small for you. You can adjust many things on a bike from crank length, to seat height, bar height and reach by changing stem etc... A bike fit is way more important than a frame fit.

A lot of people have different body shapes and proportions and different frame manufactures use different geometry so a 56 in say Felt is not the same as a 56 in LaPierre. A lot of guys that race and indeed most pros now size down on the frame and adjust for that with saddle position and stem/bar combos.

So not not critical but important to get it close enough. More important to do a fit though especially if you are doing longer spins.

TychoCaine

You can work around a frame that's too small with a longer stem & seat post, but a bike that's too big is a different matter. You'll never get comfortable on it.

smacl

Given we're talking about cheap mountain bike that you've ridden before, I'd tend to adjust the saddle height to be comfortable and just get out and ride the bike. I've rented hybrids of differing sizes on many occasions on holiday and taken them good distances with no real comfort issues. A pair of padded shorts and cycling gloves will make things more comfortable though.

When you're looking at replacing the bike with a new one is the time to make sure the size is right.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Frame size for comfort wouldn't be as crucial on an old beater mountain bike as it would be on a road bike. You can adjust saddle height, handlebar height and angle quite easily and so long as your not 5ft 0" and the bike is 62cm then it'll not be too hard to get comfortable on it.