USED BIKE WILL FIT A TALL BIKER?
Oct. 5, 2007
I am six feet tall and weigh
about 200 lbs. I have been searching for a mountain bike
and found one that I really like but it is a medium frame.
The seller states that he is 5'10" and the bike fits
him great. Would this bike work for me?
Jeremy T.
Jeremy:
I know of only one sure way to tell
if a bike will fit you: Try riding it.
Before we go down that road, however,
let me wax a bit: Even if you and the seller had the same
height, the bike could still fit him and not fit you.
Sound nuts? Maybe not, when you consider
that people of the same height can have different leg and
torso lengths. This matters cuz both the length and height
of a bicycle's frame significantly affect your fit. How to
check for both:
- Stand over the bike (in front of, not
on, the seat). If the topmost part of the frame touches
your crotch, the bike has a frame too tall for you. (This
might occur if the bike seller has longer legs than you.)
- Take the bike for a ride and pay attention
to your upper body (including your arms, shoulders, and
neck). You should feel comfortable, not cramped or overextended.
Check that you can comfortably lean as far forward as
you want.
You might fix problems
with #2 by moving the seat forward or back, replacing the
handlebar stem, changing the handlebar stem's angle (if adjustable),
and/or raising, lowering, or replacing the handlebar. Learn
more from my book, Urban
Bikers' Tricks & Tips.
Mr Bike
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