Question about frame sizes...

[Emoco]

I might have the chance to buy a very small (either 13.5 or 15") Specialized S-Works hardtail.

I've been told Specialized geo is great.

I want a bike to play around in on the woods, I won't be riding for hours and hours and I come from a BMX background and have always found MTBs to be a bit too big for me. Will the frame be too short for me? I'm 6 foot and when I have a 18" Kona it felt too big for me. I didn't feel stable on it.

I'm worried by getting a frame not designed to be small (instead of a jump bike) that I might be cramped on it as well as having a good standover height.

This frame was ridden by a pro for dual slalom so I guess it should be ok but I thought I'd get some other opinions

 

[Jamiedyer]

S works size

Hi
I ride a 15.5 S works 99 model and a 2006 stumpy and I am 5" 4 and they fit perfectly, I would imagine at 6" it may be a bit cramped.
Try it for size definately before buying.
Hope this helps.
Jamie

 

[Anthony]

I think a S-Works size 17 is the same length as a Kona size 18. A 15.5 is 20mm shorter and a 13.5 is another 20mm shorter than that.

Some people just have a natural riding posture that suits a short tt, but even so I'd be surprised if an 18 Kona with a straight post, saddle on middle of rails and short stem was too long for you. Those are the most important things - you can easily add three inches to the length of a bike by fiddling with the post, saddle and stem, but there's only two inches difference between a Kona size 16 and a Kona size 20.

 

[Emoco]

There's a chance the frame could be custom made, I'm not sure. I guess I could always try it and sell it if it's awkward.

 

[development_cycle]

I would never claim to be an expert on this, but... 6' tall and riding a 13.5" frame does not sound clever to me. I would say 16.5 would be "small" for someone of your height.

I am 5'10" and ride my partners 15" Specialized to the station and back every day. Not only do i find it quite uncomfortable on my 1.5 mile treks, but she finds it too small too, and she is 5'7".

If you decide to give it a go, so long as the price is not too high, you can always sell it on here to get your money back. There are plenty of people on here that that size would suit, or WAG's!

 

[PHeller]

No. No. No. older bikes don't have the geometry nor the build to deal with the abuses of jumps and drops.

If your in the UK, you should really look at buying a new NS Suburban, which is much better suited for riders of your background.

 

[Emoco]

I'm not going to be doing jumps or drops. Just riding round the wood and playing around etc.

The S-Works has a very similar geo to the Santa Cruz Chameleon.