• I've decided to buy my first steel rigid MTB-like bike for bikepacking, trails etc for the first time in my life.

    Worse part is, that I can’t figure out the geometries and sizing at all. I’m 186 cm (6'1") with a 93...94 cm (~36.6”...37") inseam. My wingspan (ape index) is 1 which means that I have a standard arms length and most probably my torso is a bit shorter than usual since my inseam is much longer than standard.

    I have no clue if I should go for a L or an XL and which could be worse. With size L I’m worried about a really-really massive amount of seatpost showing which I would rather avoid. With size XL I will probably have a too long reach although this might be relieved with a backswept bar and short stem but I’ve got no clue how it would affect the steering quality… I’m looking to achieve a rather upright and relaxed position in which I could sit for long days of riding.

    I’ve looked at frames similar like Kona Unit X, Surly Ogre, Surly Bridge Club, Brother Big Bro, On One Bootzipper (I’m located in EU and I’m not sure if I have access to US brands). The main dimensions of the frames that I’ve considered are following (note that I don’t have much knowledge about geometries but I think those are the most important for me):

    Kona Unit X

    • L effective top tube = 637; reach = 475; seattube = 470;
    • XL effective top tube = 675; reach = 510; seattube = 530

    Surly Ogre
    -L effective top tube = 615; reach = 427.6; seattube = 508
    -XL effective top tube = 640; reach = 447; seattube = 558

    Surly Bridge Club
    -L effective top tube = 615; reach = 434.5; seattube = 508
    -XL effective top tube = 630; reach = 444 ; seattube = 558.8

    Brother Big Bro
    -L effective top tube = 620; reach = 432 ; seattube = 508
    -XL effective top tube = 645; reach = 452; seattube = 559

    On One Bootzipper 650b
    -L effective top tube = 621; reach = 458; seattube = 483
    -XL effective top tube = 647; reach = 480; seattube = 510

    Link with all the geometries is here: https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/kona-unit-x-2020-l,kona-unit-x-2020-xl,surly-ogre-2020-lg,surly-ogre-2020-xl,surly-bridge-club-2018-lg,surly-bridge-club-2018-xl,brother-big-bro-2021-large-20,brother-big-bro-2021-xlarge-22,on-one-bootzipper-650b-2019-lrg,on-one-bootzipper-650b-2019-xlg/

    I have a 21” vintage MTB that I’m commuting with and with and its seattube is 54 cm and measuring from the top of the seat-tube til the end of the saddle I get about 28-29 cm of saddle+seatpost. I’m actually having doubts about the looks of the seatpost but you can be the judge (pic of the setup here: https://ibb.co/qCdrFqG

    Going back to the seattube lengths of the framesets, only Ogre, Bridge Club and Big Bro with XL size have a seat-tube which would not need a longer seapost than I already have on my commuter. And from them, the Bridge Club has the shortest reach & top tube which sounds the best for me, but I’m still cautious about the reach.

    Regarding the solution with a really short stem and swept back handlebars – how does it ride like and how bad it actually is? Is there any reason to worry? There are many articles online which are saying a short stem makes the handling bad and unstable etc etc…

    Nonetheless, there are plenty of setups that have handlebars with the same line as the top tube or even closer to the saddle, for instance

    Bombtrack Beyond Adv: https://www.bombtrack.com/complete-bikes/beyond-plus-adv

    Crust Scapegoat: https://bikepacking.com/bikes/goats-crust-scapegoat/

    Kona Unit X: https://bikepacking.com/bikes/kona-unit-x-review/

    Big Bro: https://www.brothercycles.com/2017/02/big-bro-build-bicycle-ambulance/

    Surly Ogre: https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-bas-surly-ogre/

    Bridge Club: https://bikepacking.com/bikes/surly-bridge-club-review/

    Bootzipper: https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/bike-test-one-bootzipper-29er

    So my main questions are:

    Should I go for L or XL?

    Is there anyone with the similar issue and what’s your setup? Can you please post a picture of your setup?

    How much would it actually affect my steering when I go for instance a 5 cm stem and a nice swept back bar to get a relaxed touring position?

    Are there any similar frame geometries that have a rather long seat-tube but a shorter reach?

    Or is getting this type of bike hopeless with my length and inseam and I should go for a different style of bike? For instance I think Crust Evasion can fit big rubbers and has a much shorter reach but I’m not sure it’s a good bike for my budget + it’s most probably really hard to find one also especially in the EU.

    Thanks!

  • Hi Alkor !

    I'm quite 6"2' (187cm) with a 90mm inseam... So it's like we are twins :)
    Actually riding two bike that share a close geometry with the list you made above :

    • A Fat Chance Yo Eddy 29" in XL
    • A Crust Evasion 27.5" in XL

    After building nearly 10 bikes that were too small for me, The only straight and good advise I can give you is : WITH YOUR BODY ---> GO XL

    Joking appart, you'll be way much more comfortable. Nowadays, big bikes are no longer heavy tanks, geometries are really calculated to be awesome for big guys too. I used to ride the Large version of the Evasion (58) and the XL (60) feels definitely better ! Same for the MTB, mine is mounted with a sus' fork but it is way more comfy than the other L or M MTBs I tried. My Yo Eddy Geo is close to the Big Bro one.

    You can visit https://bikeinsights.com/dashboard if you need to compare all the bikes you listed up there, deciding on wich criteria you prefer to : Bottom Bracket height, tire on floor, wheelset axis...

    If you go for an MTB, be sure to check if it is suspension corrected (The Scapegoat is none !!!), you may decide to use one one day... For the other choices, make sure to clearly understand what makes the bike different from the others in the catalog : Headtube diameter (Crust makes 1" threaded), tire clearance, wheel size... Bottom bracket height...AND EYELETS !

    Crust Evasion is a definitely awesome bike in my opinion... Apart being a little bit heavy, it has a 73mm & tall bottom bracket for MTB crankset, a nice huge geo with a lower top tube so your balls won't break on it if you fall from your saddle, something like 800 eyelets, everything standard you want, and a motherfucker tire clearance... I personally UTTERLY love this bike.

    PS : Shipping on Crust website may appears freaky but once they are calculated automaticaly by DHL. I was given back a huge amount of money by Garett after my order. It was at home after 3 days lol !




  • PS : If you need a picture of your main question, check the Large Evasion I was riding before : 58cm / huge seatpost out / Loooooong spacers tower... I it felt pretty small when riding. I was quite skeptical about sizes before swiching my Evasion, and now understand what a bunch of cm can add to feeling on a bike !

  • I measure 6’2.5” tall, with a 37” ‘true inseam’, and my wingspan is the same as my height. This is my XL Kona Honzo. I find it hugely comfortable. I’ve done as many as 70mi off-road at a time and been very happy. A friend who is a few inches shorter and has nearly the same inseam rides a Large of this bike, but feels like he could go up to the XL comfortably.


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Please help choozing a size of a rigid steel bikepacking frame for a person with 6'1" height and 37" inseam.

Posted by Avatar for Alkor @Alkor

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