sizing a bike

[subpixel]

Hi All.

My never ending quest for a bike has nearly come to an end.

I am going to get the Trance X2 but am undecided on the size.

Im about 6' or 185 cm weigh around 85 kg

Ive been told a medium would suite me better but a buddy of mine has a medium and it feels small (he does have his seat far foward though)

Any guidlines here from Giant as to the correct sizing. Ive always thought there was a bit more to it than just looking someone up and down say youll be a medium? Or is that a case of thats all there is to it?

[spudatm]

I have a giant trance x1 2008 Im 5'10 and i have a 20 inch. Sizing a MTB is not as much of an exact science as Road bikes but usually the key factors are leg length and length of your upper body. Ie if you have long legs short upper body you might need a 20 with a short stem or if your the other way round an 18 with a longer stem. Easiest way to work it out is take one for a ride. see if it is comfortable

[Jubas]

I'm 6'2" (pretty much exact size/weight as you) and tend to prefer a medium frame over most of the larges I've tried. I have a higher centre of gravity, so feel more comfortable with the smaller frame..

(sounds ridiculous i know!)

The point is, that as subpixel mentioned, it's far from an exact science and depends heavily on what you feel more comfortable with. Have you had a chance to try a large size? Perhaps a quick trip to the LBS?

[EzyLee]

Try using this:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCM?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

[subpixel]

thats cool. Ill give it a go. see what it tells me.

thanks

[Oddjob]

Given your height and weight I'd say you're pretty lanky with relatively long limbs. If that's the case get the large. Given that this is a XC orientated bike, getting the large gives you a better range of more stretched out body positions for XC racing. If you want to use it more as a trail bike then you can get a short (<50mm) stem which will give you more direct steering response.

[mtb_punk]

Hi All.

My never ending quest for a bike has nearly come to an end.

I am going to get the Trance X2 but am undecided on the size.

Im about 6' or 185 cm weigh around 85 kg

Ive been told a medium would suite me better but a buddy of mine has a medium and it feels small (he does have his seat far foward though)

Any guidlines here from Giant as to the correct sizing. Ive always thought there was a bit more to it than just looking someone up and down say youll be a medium? Or is that a case of thats all there is to it?

It comes down to personal preference. I am exactly the same height and weight as you and I recently got a Trance 1, in a medium. I was a bit worried about the size when I got home, thinking maybe I should have got a large, but now I've ridden it a few times, I definitely made the right choice. The size of it suits me really well. But then it does depend on your proportions, how much leg/torso etc and what you prefer your bikes to feel like.

Have a ride of both sizes (even if it means hunting around shops) and see how they feel for you, its probably the only way. What size is your current bike? Hows does that feel? Should give some indication.

Good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the Trance.

[Lanky Love]

IM about 6'4 and ride a 20" hard tail (but its probably got completly different geomotry). my point though is that i ride a slightly smaller bike because it handels better. a larger bike is alot harder to get through tight and twisty tracks where as a small bike is far more agile (sp?). so go for whatever feels comfortable, and if it feels a bit different, you will get used to it quickly.

[subpixel]

my current bike is a large Giant NRS 1. it feels fine, although its what ive ridden for 5 years. I do get back pain though, i commute to work so i probably do an average of about 30klm a week. Much more if i have a weekend in the dirt.

So I guess the best thing its to take them both for a ride. I know my LBS is only getting in a medium though :mad:

cheers

dave

[climbo]

I would try a Large before you commit, surely the LBS would get one in for you to try both if you are going to buy one of them? I run Large in both my MTB's and I am 183cm exactly, I also run anything from a 120 to a 140mm stem as I like to be stretched out a bit more than most. Back pain may not be a result of the size of your bike so try them both and decide.

[stickso]

The LBS should have a sizing chart from Giant help decide which size would fit you best. When I got my Reign 0 I thought I'd be better off on a medium but with my long legs & arms (I'm 6'1") a large with a 60mm stem is the perfect fit.

At the time my LBS had an M and L in stock so I knew their advice on size was impartial.

[rockstar101]

If you enjoy a quick blast around the trails then a medium might be the right size. If you plan on doing any longer rides (now or in the future) then you need to make sure that you can get the correct leg extension (ie almost straight with a slightly bent knee) in order to get the maximum mileage out of your legs. If you find that having the seat up high enough to achieve this means your handlebars are miles below you, then your sore back might be alot worse. A stem with a high degree of rise (ie. 20 degrees) can help even out the difference in height. Obviously if you plan to race then this position may be what you are after.

The best advice has already been given. Take it for a ride. A decent one.

That means ride it around the block a few times, and up a few hills. A smaller frame might feel great until you climb up your first decent hill on it.

I am 187cm and about 82kg. Bike sizes vary so much btwn brands and designs. I have three bikes and they are sized med, large and x-large so it I think it depends on feel.

My 2cents anyway

[kasman]

I'm 184cm and bough a large trance x2. Suits me well.

If you look at the geometry chart for trance X, probably the main difference you'll notice between M and L is the top tube lenght. The difference is 25mm longer for the L. When you consider they have a 110mm stem on them you could always put a shorter stem on and it would be close to the M length anyway.

I ended replacing the stem with an 85mm one, which takes away that extra 25mm length.

I did find that the stock trance fitted me well, but shortened the stem to make my dually feel more like the geometry of my hardtail (which i commute on).

cheers