What Mountain Bike?

[JAG]

If you are approximately 5'11", what's the best size frame to go for or is it all subjective and just go to a bike shop and try the different sizes out?

[nickb]

Ian - DanE's right about the brakes. Forget discs on a bike that cheap, they'll be crappy cable ones. You shouldn't consider discs unless they're hydraulic. V-brakes are fine, I have them on both my bikes (one is a Gary Fisher Sugar 1) and they're good enough on them.

[nickb]

Originally Posted by JAG

If you are approximately 5'11", what's the best size frame to go for or is it all subjective and just go to a bike shop and try the different sizes out?

18/19" frame on a mountain bike for your height.

[milldog]

Originally Posted by JAG

Cheers Graham.
What size frame have you got mate? 19, 21 or 23?

i took the 23 frame as the seat is on suspension and it's better to ride around town

Graham

[nickb]

Originally Posted by milldog

i took the 23 frame as the seat is on suspension and it's better to ride around town

23!! how tall are you Graham?

[DanE]

Originally Posted by JAG

If you are approximately 5'11", what's the best size frame to go for or is it all subjective and just go to a bike shop and try the different sizes out?

Try them out in the shop, get a test ride too. My 15" Marin had the same size frame as my 17" Orange, so there's not a consistent way of measuring them! (And then there's my road bike, which is a 52cm...)

It's also worth test riding a couple of different makes. We're all different shapes and sizes and some bikes suit some, while others suit...err...others.

dan

[dorset_diver]

Originally Posted by nickb

Forget discs on a bike that cheap, they'll be crappy cable ones. You shouldn't consider discs unless they're hydraulic.

True, but like he said its only for light use though. The Avalanche 1.0 (the one up from the link i sent has hydraulic discs, and some how when its got 15 stone of lardy ass on it cainning it down a hill it still has the stopping force to pull your face off!! they are great!! If your only going to be using it for light off road stuff and mainly urban id say cable discs are ok.

Just my 2p


Chris Middleton
aka student guy

[nickb]

Originally Posted by dorset_diver

If your only going to be using it for light off road stuff and mainly urban id say cable discs are ok.

Yeah, but what's the point? V-brakes are a lot easier to set up and maintain and stop every bit as good with the possible exception of cycling through deep mud/water.

As far as I can see, cable disc brakes only exist to satisfy marketing

[DanE]

Originally Posted by nickb

As far as I can see, cable disc brakes only exist to satisfy marketing

Well, they do look cooler Less rim wear in heavy conditions, but that doesn't sound like the sort of usage than JAG will be giving his new toy

I still remember the crash that happened when V-Brakes first came out. The guy at the front of the group hit the brakes in the normal place and the rest of us ended up laying in the road...

dan

[dorset_diver]

Originally Posted by nickb

As far as I can see, cable disc brakes only exist to satisfy marketing

Like i said its just my opinion (and every one is entitled to them, providing they are the same as mine!), and from the research i did it dosen't have to be going through knee deep mud or deep lakes for the discs to have better stopping than V's; but also heavy braking going down hills and the such the discs are much better at stopping you as they cool down a lot quicker and are a lot more effective when hot, unlike rubber brakes. But that is why i stumped up a little more money to get hydraulic ones, but would still recommend cable brakes as my old man has them and they do a pretty good job of stopping him!

again only my 4p worth


Chris Middleton