is my bike too big and if so, what new one should I get

[Kusbit6600]

Hi everybody, this is my first time time on the Dirtrag forums. I have a 2000 23" Schwinn Moab 3 (http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2000&Brand=Schwinn&Model=Moab+3&Type=bike. I think it is too big for me. I am 6'1" and if I raise the seat to the right height my feet don't touch the ground. I have very little stand over clearance. I'm guessing it is too big.
If that is the case, what should I get in a new bike? I'm looking at the Jamis Dragon steel hardtail bikes. I like steel (I have a steel road bike) and I like hardtails. To be honest I am a little afraid of going full suspension, just because it almost seems there is a learning curve with pedaling. I went to a lbs and they had the Dragon 29er. Should I go 29 or go 26?

[RepublicanSS]

i'm six foot and i ride a 19 inch scott scale 20, giant trance xo in large and my spot 29erSS is an 18.5 (custom size).

my road bike is a cervelo rs 56 cm.

i think you are on too big of a bike.

a 19 or 20 inch would probably fit you better. ride them and see.

[K-Man]

Ask your LBS to size you. I'm guessing they'll put you on a bike that is smaller than the 23" frame.

26er versus 29er? Either one will get the job done. You owe it to yourself to try both flavors before you decide. Get some test rides under your belt.

I will point out that a lot of my friends that are as tall as you seem to "feel more comfortable" on the 29ers. They say the bike seems to fit them better than the smaller wheeled versions. But try it for yourself.

[Kusbit6600]

Thanks for the help guys. I already went to a lbs and they had the Jamis Dragon 29er in the 19in. It didn't get to ride it (don't have my drivers license yet which they wanted as collateral). It did seem to fit me pretty well though from the little bit is sat on saddle and stood over it.

[RepublicanSS]

k-man at six foot i'm actually getting very comfortable on my 29er, it's not easy to wheelie (any suggestions) and i believe my next mtb will be a niner with the fox fork.

they seem to be stable, even with a lot of seat post exposed.



Ask your LBS to size you. I'm guessing they'll put you on a bike that is smaller than the 23" frame.

26er versus 29er? Either one will get the job done. You owe it to yourself to try both flavors before you decide. Get some test rides under your belt.

I will point out that a lot of my friends that are as tall as you seem to "feel more comfortable" on the 29ers. They say the bike seems to fit them better than the smaller wheeled versions. But try it for yourself.

[K-Man]

k-man at six foot i'm actually getting very comfortable on my 29er, it's not easy to wheelie (any suggestions) and i believe my next mtb will be a niner with the fox fork.

they seem to be stable, even with a lot of seat post exposed.

At 5' 10" and 145 lbs, one of my few complaints with 29ers is that I have a hard time wheelie-ing and pulling them "up and over" big logs and/or executing similar "power moves" that require horsing the bike around. So, I really can't help much in that regard. Maybe one of the burlier guys could shed some light.

I do agree that the plus side of the 29er platform includes superior stability. I also like them on swoopy trails where you can keep up your momentum and just roooool like a muthah.

[mimbresman]

23" is huge for a mtn bike.

I'm 5'10" (and 1/2), and 215 lbs. My Merlin is a medium which is about 17.5" and my Litespeed is a medium-large which is about 19" according to the Litespeed catalog. TT lengths are similar (within 1/4" of each other), handle bar heights, and distance from saddle to stem, saddle position are the same. Crotch clearance on the Litespeed is about 1 1/2", and the Merlin is probably more like 2 1/2", however, I really like the fit of the Litespeed. The Merlin now feels small under me (but I still like it).

Road bikes: Bridgestone is a 56 cm and my old Univega touring bike is a lanky 23" (be riding that old dog on the Katy! :cool:)

[RepublicanSS]

i'm 6ft, 157lbs so i'm not physically the strongest guy. i would say the difficulty of wheeling would be my only complaint.

i do like the added stability, especially as i get older (47).



At 5' 10" and 145 lbs, one of my few complaints with 29ers is that I have a hard time wheelie-ing and pulling them "up and over" big logs and/or executing similar "power moves" that require horsing the bike around. So, I really can't help much in that regard. Maybe one of the burlier guys could shed some light.

I do agree that the plus side of the 29er platform includes superior stability. I also like them on swoopy trails where you can keep up your momentum and just roooool like a muthah.

[Kusbit6600]

Here's a thought, how hard is it to build a bike? Nasbar has a dirt cheap Reynolds 853 frame and I could build a pretty good bike for pretty cheap. I'm up for the challenge (I like building things) but is it a realistic idea?

[K-Man]

Here's a thought, how hard is it to build a bike? Nasbar has a dirt cheap Reynolds 853 frame and I could build a pretty good bike for pretty cheap. I'm up for the challenge (I like building things) but is it a realistic idea?

It ain't rocket science.

If you plan on re-using your components from the other bike it can be economical, but it can get expensive to buy all new components.

I'd say go for it -- it'll be a lesson that teaches you a lot, one way or the other.

[althegud1srtakn]

Here's a thought, how hard is it to build a bike? Nasbar has a dirt cheap Reynolds 853 frame and I could build a pretty good bike for pretty cheap. I'm up for the challenge (I like building things) but is it a realistic idea?

do it, you'll learn a lot about bikes and probably stop taking it to the shop for repairs, except for a few things. i fix everything but my nice wheels, those i take to the shop.

the thing is you won't know how the frame rides till you're done building it, and be ready to buy a few stems while trying to get the fit to where you want it the first time, after a while you'll get the hang of it. assuming you have fairly normal leg/torso dimensions i'd guess you would ride about a 20-inch frame.

also, i don't know anything about nashbar frames other than the price is right. is there a LBS near you that sells used frames? you might be able to get a really nice used frame for pretty cheap, you could also check out ebay

[rockhound]

Here's a thought, how hard is it to build a bike? Nasbar has a dirt cheap Reynolds 853 frame and I could build a pretty good bike for pretty cheap. I'm up for the challenge (I like building things) but is it a realistic idea?

Be aware that going from an aluminum frame to a steel frame may force you do get a different bottom bracket width (68mm vs. 73mm on that Schwinn) and front derailleur (28.6 clamp vs. 31.8 clamp). Niether one is a big deal.

I'd say go for it as well. That or look on Craigslist. You can find decent used bikes cheap. Get one that fits you and then take the best parts from yours and the "new" one.

[Kusbit6600]

Ok, If I am going to build a bike, what tools do I need? What tools are usually included with parts, and which ones aren't? I figure I would go to a lbs to get the headset taken care of (trimming the stem, starnut etc) but I want to build most of the bike myself. My friend has a nice repair stand that he said I could borrow as well as lots of tools, but his knowledge is as good as mine so I doubt they're everything I need. I would like to buy a toolkit, but I don't have the money. I have the basics like screwdrivers and hex wrenches. Also what lubricants are necessary? I do have a comprehensive repair book that pretty much shows you how to do it.

[RacerK]

Ah, the repair manual is the most important tool you'll need. It might even have advice for building a bike from the frame up.

Against the "gather all your materials first" advice, in this case it might be easiest to just buy or borrow the tools you'll need as you go. You can get the tools and parts together for each step (cranks & bottom bracket, brakes, derailleurs/shifters, etc.) This way you'll become introduced to each tool and its use in succession, you'll also have an easier time matching tools and parts, and you'd be easier able to spread out the spending.

[Kusbit6600]

So I think I am going to build a bike. I like the Nashbar 853 frame, and the xt build kit(customized to get full xt parts except for brakes) from jensonusa. I am flip flopping back and forth between disk brakes and rim brakes. If I do rim brakes I could save $80 and possibly more if I can reuse my current wheels. My current rear wheel has an 8 speed cassette on it, would their be room to upgrade it to nine speed or would I have to get new wheels? If I need to get new wheel then I lean towards disk brakes (Avid BB7, don't need hydros). I also like the RockShox Tora 318 Uturn. This comes roughly to $1300 which leaves a little room for tools or pedals.
I also like the voodoo bizango frame, but it is considerably more expensive. What do you guys think?