10 Clues You Bought The Wrong Sized Bike! | MTB Sizing Guide
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- With all the confusion around long reach and short reach and with bikes now being sold with frame sizing names like “C1” and “S2” or “long and longer”, how do you know if you’ve bought the wrong size MTB? Doddy and Anna are going to swap bikes to show you exactly what that looks like and the effects a wrongly sized bike can have.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - Bike is too small
1:51 - Bike is too big
2:24 - Handlebars are too low
3:26 - Handlebars are too high
4:02 - Saddle height is too low
5:40 - Saddle height is too high
6:47 - Reach is too short
9:32 - Reach is too long
10:40 - Handlebars are too narrow
12:25 - Handlebars are too wide
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For many, choosing the correct size is not too difficult. It’s when you are in between sizes it’s gets tricky and confusing. And if you have a long or short torso relative to your shirt/long legs, then that adds additional complexity when considering seated pedalling versus when in the attack position. Size up or size down? That is a video or two worth considering
team in between here :)
5’10 with crazy long legs, bike is a medium with a short reach but still feels long
Hahaha team in-between
At 5'7 (170cm) I am notoriously in between bike sizes.
Nah they won't consider that, they only do dumbed down videos at GMBN
It looks so funny to see you guys riding on such bikes! So inspiring how you make a video so entertaining every single time!
Found the extremes in sizing a bit silly to be honest. Good opportunity missed to go through some key points between say a medium and a large instead of obvious differences between smalls and XLs
Agreed. Im about 5'8ft which puts me at the top end of medium and the lower end of large.
I have no clue as to whether i should buy a medium or a large bike. Im guessing a medium with 27'5's will be a bit small, but a medium with 29ers will be a bit big.
This, I'm an s on some bikes and a m on some. Depends on brands
@@Tony-1971 5'9. same problem. even with the dealers that have you put in leg length, arm length and high it puts me on large for a comfortable ride and medium on a sporty one.. as for wheel size. you can always go mullet, 27.5 and 29. best of both worlds
@@TheKobool
Yeah. I've seen quite a few guys on youtube though who said they were 5'10 and bought a medium. I guess its just how you feel on the bike and how you want to ride it. I think i will go medium. I really don't want to be at the bottom end of a large sized bike and struggle to throw it about on the trails. At 5'10 you really are right between sizes though. I really do think its down to what feels best to you personally.
I found that a size or two doesnt matter for me. I rode everything from M to XL and everything suits me just fine. I am 185 cm tall
This is a super helpful video! I work at a local bike shop and trying to explain why proper fit is important has been difficult. Now I've got more information!
You work at a bike shop and have trouble explaining why someone should ride the right sized bike? Perhaps a career change is in order.
Great video. Very simple and informative! Thanks!
This was the video we were all waiting for since the moment Anna joined the channel!
Absolutely brilliant videos. Cheers.
When I first got into mountain biking I got a bike that was too small for me, but it was extremely easy to jump and bunny hop with, like a BMX bike, which was a blast to ride, but at high speeds it was terrifying and sketchy as hell!!!
I did the same thing this year. It was incredibly sketchy on black techs. I kept losing grip in steep sections because too much of my weight was behind the rear axle. So now I'm doing an 8k build on a XL frame. I'm on the fence about keeping my small bike or replacing it with a proper dirt jumper instead
Sounds like the perfect bike😅
My 2018 large yt Jeffsy, is almost the same size as the newer medium jeffsys, you really have to check the reach, and other geometry numbers when you purchase a bike, most of all test ride if you can.
I have made good experience with the size tables which are provided by the vendors.
But i also think it comes to the type of riding you are going for or which matches your style to ride.
When I bought my hardtail, I had no concept of bike geometry. Turned out the reach was a bit short. Luckily, I was able to compensate with a longer stem. That longer stem took some getting use to, but it's a much better ride now. 👍
I did exactly the same.
But I have found that it only works while sat down.
When I stand up, my head is still in front of the bars, and I feel like I'm going to go over them (again).
@@kevinshort3943 get some coaching. Your bike probably fits you OK.
OK this is really helpfull. I bougth my bike rather small while I wanted it to be playfull. As I had t put the saddle rather high, the Stack was to low so I put more spacers under the stem, and bougth a higher cockpit. but therefore my reach is now rather short and now you explained that the triangle does not fit anymore whilst standing. On Downhills my legs get very tired while I have to bend my knees to much to not have my arms straigth down. The first thing i did now is to rotate my high riser steerer more forward so the grips move also more forward. The next thing is to buy a larger stem, though they dont sell that lng stemms anymore. I will go von 50 to 70 mm. I think I will feel the difference. I also felt the differnce on my old bike when I changed for a longer stem.
Excellent presentation, danxs
It was like she could make it work, but Doddy looked like a clown on that tiny bike! great visual of wrong sizing, always fun while instilling knowledge!!! Great job guys
From a tall person who bought a small bike because I was young and impatient....... Don't do it, it made ascents unbearable and because it was very expensive I was stuck with it for years
Hi. how small are we talking about here? I am in the process of selecting a bike and i was going to go for the 2021 cube Two15. I only found the bike in M size, with 27.5 wheels. I also found - for a good price, a mondraker crafty r+ from 2017, size L with 27.5 wheels. I would lean more towards the cube because im not a fan of cycling up (i tend to just take the bus up top and ridee down). Would the M cube be too small for me? (i'm 185 when upright). Should i go for the L one?
@@paulbriean5885 can't remember the measurements but it was a size 'Small' Iron Horse Yakuza, 26inch wheels......and I'm 6ft, it was on sale and I was dumb. It was fun to Huck around for sure but riding anywhere with an incline or even flat was bloody hard work, my knees were knocking the bars 😂😂
I'm on a Medium Specialized Demo 9 Pro now....still too small, I learned nothing.
Excellent video, with great analysis of the subject. Thank you!
I ride to short and to narrow, on a mullet design,but that's great! because it's agile ( no long lorry 29r feeling). and it keeps me from going to fast to easy... think about he landing when it goes wrong.
The Thumbnail of Doddy on Anna's bike is hilarious!
i bought my 6th mountain bike since the 90s this year. my 2nd rockhopper. this one is perfect. i could have went with a medium but large was the right choice. 29 inch wheels make a hell of a difference too.
have gone vs have went
@10:14 Anna said "Longer isn't always better " tell that to my wife please!
What really sucks is being tall enough for a L or M/L but having legs long enough for a M. No problem with reach but have to put the post in the lowest position.
Great video👍🏻thanks
Thanks for the support! 👍
Good one guys, thanks!
No problem, John! Thanks for watching!
Cheers ☺️,
Good one, have a good one and stay safe 👍😊🤠, cheers from Denmark 👋..
As somebody that hovers right around the 5'7" mark, bike sizing has always been a battle. I usually go with medium/17" (even in 29"). Small/15" bikes definitely feel more fun, but I get sore much quicker on longer rides.
Ignore the size names (medium, small, etc.) and look at the actual geometry. A M in some brands would be a S in another, so those labels are not helpful.
Dropper seatpost is awesome.
Brilliant video ! :-)
Thanks! Safe riding!
Be worth a vid homed in on between sizes and maybe tweaks to make the bike you have fit better. Maybe even with a volunteer showing the changes before and after?
Bikes size recommendations don't include torso or leg length. I had to size down because the larger frame meant the bars felt lower, being further way.
It is amazing how much you can adapt with stem length, riser bars, bar width, seat rail position etc. When that's not enough you know a different size would be better.
Cornering should be with level pedals. Lead with the foot in the direction turned (left foot left turn) so you're knee clears the seat. This will make weighting the outer pedal easier.
specialized changing their sizing without changing the name is awful. Its a S2, ok but what year s2😪
13:03 look at Anna's wrist angle. that's the big problem with wide bars, is wrist strain. I've cut my bars down to 640, and it helped a lot with straightening out my wrists.
That’s true.
I was riding a 15" hardtail which was easy to throw around but a bit 'twitchy', then switched to a 17", not a huge difference but having more room and a longer wheelbase feels more stable. It's a matter of preference, skill and the type of riding you do so unless your bike is way too big or way too small (like in this video) just ride, get used to the handling and have fun.
Depending on the frame, the difference between 15" and 17" could be, and often is, substantial.
My bike is a “Small Fame” with a 29er and makes my bike big for me but it’s the right size. If I put the 27.5 my bike fits perfect.
Lol Anna looks dwarfed on Doddy’s bike. My wife is her height and can’t even get on my size large bike at least Anna can and can ride it. Well done !
I recently got a new bike and had sized down cause it felt the nicest in terms of control ability and general riding. I'm 6'2"~3" and the frame is labeled as 17" but it has a 484mm reach and I have no issues with my knees hitting as I have plenty of room to move my legs. Its snappy, easy to ride and with a dropper the 17" seat tube makes it so it drops out the way so much it feels almost like a 29er BMX. I don't think the brand I got size their bikes correctly lol
My rule of thumb is that hands should be under your eyes in the "ready" position. His hands are under his collarbone on the small bike and under his eyes on the big bike, so the big bike fits.
Good video, I was riding a medium size trek hardtail for years and felt fine. Tried a friend’s large and ended up swapping to a large frame felt better.
I had opposite. I’m 179cm and went to a medium trek as the size up m/l felt like a limo
I'm 185 and I feel more comfortable on my wife's M Trek than my L
I ride a medium Roscoe. I feel so far forward on it. I think I need a m/l
For me is straightforward, I buy the biggest bike on the market :D 565mm Reach, 1410mm wheel base and 820mm handlebars works well :))
I feel like the cameraman came up with this idea just so they can see Doddy and Anna switch bikes😂
Anna's slo-mo berm face at 3:25 FTW.
Quality riding expression! 😂
Doddy what size are you and what size of frame is the bike that Anna was riding? Im 6'2 and hoping the XL Whyte I have ordered wont be too big.
what frame size do you recommend with a height of 6’2”?thanks
Do you have any tip for XC HT sizing? If I didn't get the latest memo and HT are not MTBs anymore, I apologize. ;)
I'm 193cm/6'4" but I have long ass legs and a stumpy torso. I have to usually ride a large frame and suffer a little on the climbs to be able to control it properly and comfortably on the downs. Thinking about getting longer cranks next to help with the pedal stroke. If anyone is similarly built and looking for a bike that fits I currently ride a 2020 nukeproof mega 275 and its brilliant.
Completely the same over here!
Same, but shorter, and I sized up and I'm pretty sure it's giving me back issues. For bonus points, I measured my wingspan off my left arm and thanks to surgery on both elbows, my arms aren't the same length either. Shit the bed pretty hard! Slowly fixing the pain with rise and backsweep but I'm definitely buying a large next time.
I just acquired a medium vitus sentier vrs. Love the bike but right in the beginning of ride my hands and wrists hurt as well as the next day my knees "front" are pretty sore. Im 5'9" with 31 " inseam and leg is slightly bent while on the saddle. Also i ride flat pedals as the last bikes i had gave me numb toe even after many shoe pedal cleat combos
Getting you RAD right is a magic way for the size
I'm in the upper height range for a medium and lower end for a large frame with lot of manufacturers (180cm) it can get confusing deciding what to pick!
I am as well. I found that a medium frame worked best for me on MTB and large frame for commuter. The stand over is much safer with a medium frame on MTB. My local bike shop recommended that after observing me ride both sizes. The commuter bike was where he said I could go either way since; it was so close on the fit.
Medium. Jack Moir rides a medium and he’s 6 2
I would have liked this video more if you had immediately adjusted the seat heights as step one. I think most riders would see that as obvious and get that done even if they had to buy a longer seat post.
My wrists ache on my current bike.
It's a medium marlin 7, & i'm 5'11
I always feel like I'm being pulled forward on the saddle.
Doddy looks hilarious on that 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have a HT size Small and its has a 29er wheels .im a 5'5" person but some of my friends telling me that my bike is a bit big . When i'm riding i feel comfortable and feels like im in the center of the bike. I use it on trails end sometime in enduro fun race. What do you think guys?
Thank you!
Thanks for the support, Braden!
Just curious regarding frame size I have small size frame 27.5 wheels full sus MTB. My actual height 178 - 179 cm, about 5'10 feet I purchase the bike very cheap because previous owner say no one to buy because size S. Most people definitely looking for size M and I decide to buy. After a few month ride I didn't notice my hand reach to handle not really big issue and I can't spot the different because I have hardtail 29er size M. I believe the hardtail more faster but I think size S frame maybe more fun to ride. Anyway I'm here to find out is it okay to ride size S frame, because my height suitable for size L frame isn't?
It would've been good if you'd done this for XC/Trail/Enduro/DH bikes as they all have different geo
I have a Canyon Neuron Medium (I am 183cm) and this is what Canyon recommended. On other bike sites, it sometimes recommends a large. I guess I'm between the two. I figured it would be easier to make a smaller bike larger than a larger bike smaller with adjustments to stem and handlebars.
I'm 6'2 and sites recommended me an L/XL but I ride an M. I ride fairly tight and techy and it feels grand!
@@renuxgraffiti how does that medium feel in heavy chunk downhill at 6'2
I have orderd a canyon neuron my self . I’m 1.80 cm with a inseam of 86 cm. I hope it won’t be too big. I have a cube hardtail that’s l and it’s perfect
Ive got an idea for a video.
Its beginner vs pro except the pro uses the beginners entry level bike and the beginner uses the pro’s race bike.
You could do a dh edition, an enduro edition and an xc edition.
i would love you to make a video about helmets and glasses!
because i struggle with finding a good combination.
i am a bit like anna that i have a small size helmet an the glasses is touching the helmet of almost.
and with big hits and stuff it pushes the glasses down my nose.
"You sure the saddle height is already lowered?"
Me asking this if I ride Doddy's bike lol
Can a shorter stem make an XL appropriate for an L-recommended person? Talking about cross-country.
4.50 so brilliant.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Knowing your got the wrong size bike. Using GCN as an example. Manon Lloyd Riding Conor Dunn's El Alto. Conon riding one of Manon's bikes. I'm not even sure Doddy could ride El Alto. I watched the GCN+ film about El Alto. I is that bike. The frame builder was almost able to hide behind it and not be seem. The frame maxed out the jig.
I realized recently reach numbers are related to your torso length not inseam. I’m 5’7 so by height I’m in between S/M more on the M side. But most M sized frame felt somewhat hard to handle. I have 32 inseam so relatively long legs and short torso. With current trend getting longer day by day I feel comfortable in S most of the time.
Helpful comment! I'm 5,6, long legs (31), thinking in upgrading from my 15 years old bike, and also get the M recommendation by most brands, but I'm not sure about that, because M now is very different from M then.
But hey, when I first got a 26" bike, I missed my 24" BMX childhood bike and felt very awkward riding with my saddle high😄. Maybe is just getting used to it.
It would be nice to know if you found a brand you prefer for your body geometry. Cheers!
For me Same Problem.... Im between s and m ....
On my recherch i found a Guy called Lee McCormack he has a theory about RAD ( Rider Area Distance ) its a super intetessing think for looking If the Bike fits Well ( away from reach Numbers etc )
It just puts in to perspective how tall doddy is and how small anna is this bikes were so far apart in size comparison I do prefer a slightly smaller bike with 800mm barz and 26 inch wheels
Suggestion of video, when is it time to get a new bike. When does the cost of maintenance just not make sense on a bike.
I just got my bike, which they say on the website that a large bike suits best for 1m75cm, but when I mount on it, my feet don't even touch the ground.
Can I still ride it?
Priceless thumbnail. Lol ✌👍
Doddy giving us his best angles! 😂
1:12, can do some knee shifting tho
Theres a great trick using a plub line against your knee cap and axel of the pedel to get your saddle positioned perfect
plumb vs plub , axle vs axel.
Lol i came from bmx soo i kinda find it hard to get my head around too small of a bike hah. However i didn't run brakes or gears soo the bike had no extra bits on it. Nor did i sit down because seats needed to be low for trick clearance
You guys ride canyon a lot. I was wondering what you think about their sizing. I’m 5’6 an usually ride a med but canyon says I need a small
Just bought a bike thats 18” and 29er wheels and im 5’8 because it was 400 with a dropper post, hydraulic brakes and a new fork but i just got it and it seems huge looking at it
Wish I had seen a feature like this before buying a new mtb several months ago. I ended up getting a 29" enduro bike (Transition Sentinel) rather than a preferred 27.5" Scout, as the Sentinel was the only model available in my size at the time (M). I really like the Sentinel, but even though my height qualifies me for the M size (with both the Sentinel and the Scout), the Sentinel feels big. I looked at details on measurements for the two bikes, and sure enough, the Sentinel really is larger with both standover and reach from saddle to handlebar. I'm only 5'8", and this is my first 29-er, so perhaps I'll get used to the larger bicycle profile over time. I never ran into these issues with my older 26" mtb's. My 20-year old Klein Palomino is still the most comfortable fit.
The important question is: how many bikes you need to buy, before finding the perfect one? 😅
Doddy, come on! Slap 26" Wheels on there and you got a fitting 90s bike with superior damping. ;)
I'm 6'2" (189cm) and find Doddy's advice invaluable!
Large Norco Fluid FS2 on 29"ers here... 👍😎🇦🇺
What's your inseam?
Im 6,2 also always in between sizes, top of large bottom of xl. Always tend to steer toward the large sizing
I'm 6'1" with 34ish" inseam and bought a large Norco Optic today. It feels just about right leaning towards just a smidge small for me but the extra large i tried felt a lil too big, especially in the frame height. I would've had to buy a shorter dropper post.
what the model of front fender on big bike?
Also....that Orbea is so damned fly
I’m only 5’8 but I run a large which feels perfect for me I can be playful and corner well and feel stable at the same time I find when I’m on a medium when I do tricks I hit my knees off the handlebars and don’t feel stable enough and get tired easily.
Well done mates. Do keepemcoming won't you?
what brand are those bike shoes?
good video idea
Thanks Tom! 👍
Feature professional bike fitting a mountain bike for your next video. The best time for a bike fit is before buying a new bike.
All this and you didn't say how to take the right measuraments so that we don't buy the wrong size bike. I mean how do I know the correct reach for my height? How do I know the correct handlebar width for my body shape, etc etc
So at 5.8ft that puts me at the top end of medium and the bottom end of large. So which size do i go for? Im guessing a medium frame with 27.5's will feel a bit small, but a large with 29ers will feel a bit big. Totally lost.
It really depends on the bike. But I would suggest to not even think about going on 27,5 wheels if you are thinking about buying a mtb. Either buy a 29 medium or a 29 large. Preferably large. Better a bit bigger than smaller
10:13 Thanks for that 😛
4:49 a beginner after listen the fantastics 👏 👏 advices of "your friend", the local worker of the bicycle mtb shop. 😂😂❤❤😊
Facts
Years back it was if you’re in between sizes, go bigger. Nowadays, that’s reversed, seemingly due to the new geometry….what do you think?
I'd say the current advise is if you're in between start by going off your inseem length, short legs go up, long legs go down. It's not so much about you're legs but your upper body and the reach. Plus it's easier to make a bigger bike for without messing the handling up, saddle forward and short stem.
Hi Scat! That's true. As bikes have developed they've got longer and slacker. This means that MTBs we ride today are bigger. We are seeing normal riders and athletes opting to ride a size lower. That being said, always check measurements like reach and stack height when choosing a bike and compare that to the measurements on your current bike. We hope this helps!
auto like just for topic. great idea
Thanks, Bartek! Hope you enjoyed! 👍
moir is riding a bike with a 460mm reach... and thats considered a small in the new strive. Maybe reach has just gotten a little too much. Ive always road a Large but now if i bought a new bike id go medium. Rented a new large and it just felt giant.
That’s because canyons bikes are huge in size comparison to others.
What matters most for most people: when you have to suddenly get off the saddle and your top tube at the head tube is higher than your inseam? But of course, that never, ever happens....
10:13 could not agree more
Here in Brazil all Specialized and other big brand bikes push you a Medium frame to an XL rider and they say they do a perfect bike fit putting a 100mm stem an a Enduro bike. Yes they work like criminals putting employees that don't have a single mechanics course... I wonder if Specialized USA knows about that.
Looking at catalogue data between M and S size of the bike there's 2 - 2,5 cm difference in reach, will it make the difference we can feel?
I’m 179cm and went with a medium in trek. They say medium is for 172cm max though all my height comes from my torso not my legs. And the medium was perfect. Size up I felt like it was oulling me forward and the front wheel was way out the front.
Best way is to try the sizes before you buy and find what you feel comfortable with.
@@lukeneill1568 I have done test ride at the shop, approx. one hour riding ... doubts came, let's say, three months later 😏😄 probably bike rental, whole day riding would be better solution 🤔😏🙂
Doddy should just change his name to Daddy considering he literally dwarfs most folks standing next to them.
I’m 6’1 and chose a large will see how it works
Look for a book called Dialed is amazing for getting your own geometry for each bike just be aware of canyons chart there sizes are way off costing riders alot money saying this bikes not for you so they get a large when need an XL for example
Doddys new mondraker is a tiny short travel bike but it's "bigger" than my enduro just because doddy is so flipping big
How tall are you?
Doddys face in the thumbnail😄
Doddy's best angle! 😉
4:49 What a disturbing sight !!