What Size Bike Frame do you Ride?

14 Comments

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Zoso 2016
Dec 3, 2023

I was always on large frames before about 2017 but have been on mediums since. I could go either way at 5'10", but like the nimbleness.

1 reply

sanmiguelito Poland // 2023
Dec 4, 2023

I'm 6'5" and either at the very top end or beyond what most manufacturers recommend. I ride a Pole Taival hardtail XL/K4, and a custom made Curtis XR29 - 2XL stretched to 540mm reach. I had a Spec 2016 SJ FSR in XL but it was just too small. Only later realised they do XXL too and that would've been a smarter choice

1 reply

paukana California // 2012
Dec 3, 2023

followed size chart per manufacturer.

1 reply

moctav Texas // 2014
Dec 3, 2023

About half of bike makers have sizing that places my height squarely in the middle of the range of a particular size, so it's an easy choice. Other bike makers have my height as a split point between sizes, which makes the choice difficult. On some bikes, sizing up works for me and on other bikes, sizing down is the better choice. It probably has something to do with the bikes' geometry, but I haven't nailed down what it is. Two recent examples of in-between sizing are the Trek Roscoe and Yeti SB130. I selected the M/L size Roscoe because it's reach matched some formula I was using, but was "sizing down" according to the geometry chart. However, I ended up having to put a longer stem on the Roscoe to get the right feel. For the SB130, I went with a size large which was "sizing up" for me. It felt fantastic. Would a size large Roscoe been better? I don't know. I bought the Roscoe without a test ride. The dealer, a Trek store, doesn't have demo bikes. Trek does have a 30-day guarantee on their bikes, but the M/L felt close enough that I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it. The Yeti SB130 was a dealer demo bike, but I didn't buy one as I wasn't ready to pay the kind of money Yeti's demand.

0 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Dec 3, 2023

Yeti is right there with the custom frame segment. I'd do another custom long before an over the counter, every time!

1 reply

Kristian Hutson 2020
Dec 4, 2023

I bought the size that had the reach I wanted. It happened to be an xl.

0 reply

thebadpixel Delaware // 2022
Dec 4, 2023

I'm 5'11" and seem to be right in-between a medium and a large. My previous bike was a medium with a LOT of seat tube and always felt a little small. My current bike is a large which has a lot less seat tube showing than most riders my size and always feels a little too big. If I ever hit the lottery I'd pay someone to build be a bike that actually fits me.

0 reply

Barry Walstead Washington // 2023
Jan 11, 2024

This type of answer always blows me away.
You are so barely above average yet you consider yourself some kind of odd size.
You are without a doubt a size large from literally any manufacturer. WY would you care about how much post sticks up? Isn't it the dream to get maximum drop where the collar is nearly slammed at your ideal pedaling height?

I just hear this response from people my exact height and I cannot understand where it comes from.

0 reply

RemyMac Colorado // 2022
Dec 9, 2023

Maybe a Trek in size Medium-Large?

0 reply

vapidoscar Ohio // 2018
Dec 6, 2023

In 2019/2020, I intentionally built a bike with what would be consider reach for a small today because my local trails are so tight and never really got along with it. In 2022, I built and rode an 8-speed dirt jumper pretty much the whole year with a bit longer reach. Finally for 2023, I bought a large, which is my size, and riding has improved so much.

0 reply

Growlinbear Oregon // 2016
Apr 26, 2024

New bikes I have to size a bit smaller,the larger ones cause severe back pain.

0 reply

dpc9000 Arizona // 2017
Dec 7, 2023

Short guy here - 5'5".... been running a size small for years in various bike types. Tried medium and it made the ride more stable, less nimble and too long of a reach. For me, staying within the recommended guidelines for size has helped. It doesn't mean it's the right formula for everyone. It's best to test ride before buying or at least get a return/exchange guarantee.

0 reply

[email protected] Massachusetts // 2010
Dec 3, 2023

I DGAF about what sizes Specialized defines. I have road bike (Klein) 21", MTB (Klein) which has 8" more seat tube, Trek commuter 21" (where stem is higher than road) and an Electra beach bike (no idea) - but the last 3 all have similar butt to handlebar (feel the same) and all are set that my leg extension at bottom is thr same, Stop shilling for @Specialized

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