mountain bike sizing ?

[bobafett]

So knowing fook all about mountain bikes...........

What's with all the different frame sizes ? 

S,M,L,XL,18",22" etc. etc. 

Obviously there's an element of personal preference here but how does the "frame size" to "rider height" match-up work out on average ?

[CD17]

Okay, I would say if your up to 5'6 get a small, up to 5'9 or 5'10 get a medium, about this get a large, or if your fooking massive, get an XL.

As for sizes 14 & 16 are small, 17 & 18 are medium, 19 & 20 are large & above are XL,

I am 5'8 & I feel comfortable on a 17' or my current is a 17.5 which is a medium.

[brass monkey!]

my advice would be to go and size up the bike you want at a bike shop if you're planning to buy on-line. In my experience some 16" - 18" frames come up totally different from some brands to another. Also I believe hard tails come up different to full susp., I found the sizing very different when looking at CUBE MTB's versus KONA's. Even some models within a manufacturer range come up slightly different, due to the set-up. 

 

[CD17]

my advice would be to go and size up the bike you want at a bike shop if you're planning to buy on-line. In my experience some 16" - 18" frames come up totally different from some brands to another. Also I believe hard tails come up different to full susp., I found the sizing very different when looking at CUBE MTB's versus KONA's. Even some models within a manufacturer range come up slightly different, due to the set-up. 

 

It all depends on what type on MTB your buying really, because the Geometry is a lot different for a light weight hardtail race bike than it is on a all mountain/freeride full sus, but I have still found I used a medium in all my MTBs

[Spen69]

John, my hardtail MTB is 15.5" and I can bale off it when it all goes wrong bud ;-)

Personal choice but deffo go and try the frame first, but have an idea how small or large you want first so you don't look dafter than you already are (or take Joff with you as he looks crazier thab most of us and will make you look sane >;-)