Sizing and head tube angle help please

[dirtmistress]

I'm a measly 5'4" with a 30" inseam. Do I want a 15 inch or a 16.25 size bike? What do the different angle's on the bike mean regarding handling? What's wheel base? I guess it's moot anyway since the angles all are pretty much the same except for top tube length and wheel base. Is a smaller bike like the 15" better than the 16.25 all things being the same? Does that make sense?
Thanks.

Well this is crap! I'm trying to upload a chart and it won't take. Might as well be a bunny with a pancake on it's head!
Ok here!
It's a choice between a 15" or 16.25" . The 15" has a 22" top tube and a 41.5 wheel base. What is wheel base? The seat tube angle is 73. The chain stay is 16.73 on both.
The 16.25 has a 22.5 top tube and a 42" wheel base.
Head tube angle is 70.5 on both.
thanks

[dirttorpeedo]

what use is the bike for? id say small just by what info youve given. headd tube angles are figured into the bike when its built,unless uuuyou go with a custom built frame. test ride what you want to buy.good luck.

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by dirttorpeedo

what use is the bike for? id say small just by what info youve given. headd tube angles are figured into the bike when its built,unless uuuyou go with a custom built frame. test ride what you want to buy.good luck.

It's xc. there are none around to test ride.

[2wheel_lee]

It's really hard to tell which one would fit you better. Unfortunately, the bike industry doesn't have a useful standard for measuring bikes. For example, I have two frames: one is called an 18, and the other is a 16 - they are nearly identical in actual geometry.

The best bet is to try both bikes, and see which one feels best. It's also a good idea for someone who understands bike fitment to look at you on the bike.

[autoduel]

Sounds like the only real difference is the top tube length and standover.
Wheelbase is the distance between the front axle and the rear. Technically longer is more stable at speed, but shorter is more maneuverable. I'd go with a comfortable top tube length since the standover on either is fine with 30" inseam.
I'd compare the TT length with the frame you are riding now. If it's comfortable, I'd stick with it.

[dirttorpeedo]

what bikes are you looking at.

[foofighter]

good luck with the sizing it sucks looking at paper data when what really matters is being able to sit on the dam thing!!!!

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by dirttorpeedo

what bikes are you looking at.

Merlin 4.0

[dirttorpeedo]

hhmmmmn. have you talked to them as to a dealer where you kood go for a ride.they may send them one or two for a test. i dont remember if they do custom werk tho.

[Pain Freak]

Liz we are almost the same size. Myself I prefer the smaller bikes. I've had a 16" on a few bikes and although it was okay, I feel way more comfortable on a 15. But you have a lot longer inseam then I do, so it might not be that big of a difference to you. There's no way I'd fork out that kind of money (for a Ti frame) without spending a lot of time on one.

Good luck and are you going to be keeping your other Ti bike?

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Liz we are almost the same size. Myself I prefer the smaller bikes. I've had a 16" on a few bikes and although it was okay, I feel way more comfortable on a 15. But you have a lot longer inseam then I do, so it might not be that big of a difference to you. There's no way I'd fork out that kind of money (for a Ti frame) without spending a lot of time on one.

Good luck and are you going to be keeping your other Ti bike?

Oh yeah. I'm keeping it. Sorry.
I'm thinking of the 15". Tough to find a dealer that has smalls. Maybe like the one poster said, I can ask Merlin to send a couple to my LBS.

[DDB@OCR]

Here's how I size-up my XC 'off the rack' bikes:

Regardless of the size that's stamped on the frame...

1- Start with the propper stand over height clearance. Not much else matters if your crotch hits the top tube.

2- Post lentgh- Will the longest seat post available still have enough in the frame for propper support?

3- Top-tube length- dictates stretch- If the top tube is in the ball park and your seat is at the propper height (with the sufficient remainder in the frame- some compact frames require more post than the limit line on the post will let you raise it too), the only fit left is the stem height and lentgh. You should be pretty close with a 110mm/6-10* stem. No hard and fast numbers here- it's a feel thingy.

Frame 'sizes' are all over the map now with 80-90-100mm fork and compact geometries. There is no way to compare on paper other than raw numbers and not everyone measures with the same standard or referance points. Plus specs can change w/o notice!


Ya really should try and see what may fit you with as little fiddling as possible after the standover height and post length are verified and doable.

Hope this helps and happy hunting!

-kevin.