Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Reach looks long too at 443 for the the 19.5" so the 21.5 must be designed for giants

Who did they design the 23" for then ;-)

All good points, although...

I wouldn't necessarily agree that 70-80 was 'normal' for an XC stem length ( although the increasingly short stem/wide bar trend could arguably be as fashion-based as many other choices ). If somebody gets the fit they want with a 50-60mm length and no other fit considerations are compromised ( not enough standover, or too much stack, resulting in negative rise stems, etc ), then they might prefer the handling. I reckon the slack ( for XC ) 69.6 degree* HA, combined with the G2 geometry, 51mm offset fork would work well with a short stem/wide bar combo.

Still, we've both taken different approaches to custom geo on our bikes and are both happy with the results, so it's once again going to be down to personal preference/riding style/terrain etc :-)

*Similar to your Curtis, I believe?

Bear with me I'm adjusting down from 120mm :) and up from 600mm. 80mm and 700mm feels very modern! Curtis is indeed 69.5 but not having the bent seat tube needs a 90mm stem to get the length I want.

Thanks to you both @BareNecessities @AdsH, I've never had a proper bike fit so I'm very shaky with measurements as all my bikes are varying sizes. I'm most comfortable on my 57 (550 effective) CX bike with a 100mm stem, which I think is better suited to my longer legs and shorter torso.

I suppose I could always use the stem to stretch out on a smaller frame, if I found it too cramped. Does the more upright position mean being cramped up is less of an issue?

I'm the same height as you, ride a 57cm cross frame (with a 120mm stem) and a 19.5" (effective 24.4") xc frame (with a 100mm stem).

I think I'm also probably between sizes and had the same sizing issue as you a month ago, but glad I went for the shorter frame and a longer stem. I tried wider bars and a short stem but didn't really get it, just doesn't feel conductive to riding bikes fast to me.

In truth I don't know. My position is a function of what gives me reasonable power, weight over the front wheel, the ability to move around and has a modicum of attack/aero. It's quite long but not very low because my neck has to last 12hrs. I think I run the bars 3" lower than saddle.

Cheers, I reckon going shorter might be the better option.

Going to try and test ride one of them, I got to see a 19.5 recently but only sat on it and kicked the tyres*

@AdsH I think my Saddle/Bar drop is usually quite large, I'm not sure how it will translate to a MTB, I did have a hardtail a couple years back but sold it pretty quickly.

*Like a pro buyer.

Go on @gabes!
http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide15i.php?name=Gabriel_Mak

2 ridiculous rides:

http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/stories/1331659202478/aaron-gwin-on-fire-with-no-tyre

http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stories/1331729311377/leogang-2015-dh-world-cup-results-video-highlights

'Murica, fuck yeah!

Go @gabes!

Well that's a couple of things I won't be bringing along on the next ride.

Makes me feel a bit daft about messing around with tyre pressures!

Gwin is unstoppable first without a rear tyre then without a chain
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-aaron-gwin-chainless-leogang-2015.html

When Jason Carpenter (Manons dad) was doing the Dragon Downhill race series over in south Wales he ran a sideline race with the seeding runs on the saturday where we all ran chainless after a days practice :) some hated it and wouldn't do it for everyone else it was much fun and those that could ride would always do well.

It's good practice and teaches you to lay off the brakes and carry speed and learn how to pump the track for free speed.

Most normal domestic racers (not sponsored riders) will stop a race run with a flat tyre as the cost of a new wheel can be a lot when you buy your own gear, many will carry on with a lost/dropped chain. Gwin did the run on a rim last year as well, best advert the rim maker could hope for.....

I quite fancy doing the Torq in your sleep twelve hour overnighter.

But not as a solo.

Anyone fancy doing it as a duo?

When is it?

Not that I currently have a mtb.

Suspension is boing boing.

ftfy

Anyone here ride the Surrey Hills much?

30th Aug apparently

selling up my Lenz next week if anyone is interested, imagine it's most likely to appeal split rather than complete but both options are there

it's a very rare hand made Lenz milk money 29er full suspension ss /internal hub specific frame, I've got it set up with a 2 speed hammerschmidt crank for the go anywhere practicality.

large Lenz milk money frame with 3" fox float shock £600
Saint levers / xtr calipers / floating rotors £180
white industries hubs /stans tubeless rims
£220
hammerschmidt crank £120
chris king headset £45
thomson stem £45
Carbon low rise bontrager bars £45
manitou 100mm 29er forks (I forget which model) £110
Kent erikson seatpost £100
slr titanium saddle £40

neatly adds up to £1500 split or £1300 complete

before I add to classifieds, thoughts?

this bike btw is amazing, I road it at the Howies battle of the beach and I loved it but I have a lot of bikes and not enough space for road, commute and mtb!

also for sale
cheap 29er wheels and tyres £45
rarer Carbon / titanium pace rc31 420mm rigid forks £120
very rare 467mm full titanium uni crown rigid forks

pics to follow, just on the train away to a stag do for the weekend and trying to make good use of my time

https://instagram.com/p/0ixn0fH1UJ/

1 Attachment

I have, but will no longer, due to moving away.

I ride down there as much as I can, such a great place to escape London; and some pretty damn good riding too.
Any chance for decent offroad where you're moving to?

Bargain Kona in the classifieds.

http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/270319/#comment12362089

Also, that Lenz is lovely, @tilover!

Anyone interested in a Surrey Hills ride sometime, taking in Pitch Hill/Holmbury Hill/Leith Hill, for instance? I know the hills reasonably well to take people around if you don't know the area...

Out for the next few weekends but aiming to get down there mid-July if the offer still stands then!