WHAT IS THE RIGHT SIZE MOUNTAIN BIKE FOR ME? Two bikes identical in every way but size.

This is what im struggling with im also 5.9 im looking at soze Large mondraker and kona process 153 and canyons only thing is i can't just go get a test shot and traveling to see them is long journeys as will be going for a used one

Love the BRAAAAP!

Manufactures suggestion is basic sizing guides, so much adjustment can be done with stem, handle bars wight and rake, even your seat can move alittle for the finer adjustments.

I feel adjustable wheel base length would be far stronger value for most people. Some riders do better on a more stable longer wheel base and other riders might need less, thats a whole new bike,

Adjustable wheel base (just like motorbikes) opens a whole other level of riding for some people. Some people dont care as long as its close enough.

I have a large 29r and checking my knuckle, I’m RAD+ by 2cm. So I lowered the bars and going to try it. A quick road test gave me the ability to wheels and ride it out some ( I have never done that before lowering my bar stack height. What’s amazing, is that Without even knowing this great info a year ago, I checked my grasp angle and realized I needed swept back bars. That change lined up my grasp angle better and also swept the 780mm wide bars back slightly which gave me relief from numbness and better control. Keep the great content coming brother and thanks

I just bought a bike a few days ago, and im realizing its too big for me ha. I think its a large when i probably need a small. Its tough to throw around and pick up the front wheel.

Watching these videos are a great start. But nothing beats the real experience of visiting your local bike shop n try it out yourself. Night and day difference between watching n real experience.

Hello I'm here in 2023, just curious regarding frame size I have small size frame 27.5 wheels full sus MTB. My actual height 178 - 179 cm, about 5'10 feet I purchase the bike very cheap because previous owner say no one to buy because size S. Most people definitely looking for size M and I decide to buy. After a few month ride I didn't notice my hand reach to handle not really issue and I can't spot the different because I have hardtail 29er size M. I believe the hardtail more faster but I think size S frame maybe more fun to ride.

I’ve always enjoyed riding smaller framed bikes. But e-bikes when there is little to no pedaling involved, I do like the larger frame - seems to be more stable at faster speeds but again could just all be an illusion too. 😂

I am 5 10 and I currently ride a 440mm reach hardtail with 60mm stem but my new full sus I have ordered is 480mm so with a 35mm stem is 15mm longer. A bit nervous it will feel too big but I am also after a bigger feeling bike I can just send into stuff and hold on. I hope it will work out!

i just got me a orbea rise in L, im 178cm, when the seatpost is out my legs are perfect, 95percent straight, also the rise is perferct.. BUT as soon i try to get down the bike or on the bike with the seatpost out im hardly getting up there... did i bought the bike to big or this normal with 29 wheels ?

Is the shuttle sound clip from the hoonigan Mica Diaz LS M3? Lol

What if I cant measure bike before buying it? My r.a.d is 80 want to buy canyon grandcanyon 8 maybe somebody can help? An owner of this bike maybe 😕

Easily one of my top three favorite mtb channels.

6’ 1” with a XL rockhopper. Coulda gotten a large but it fits well! Got a 40mm stem and 30mm rise bars. Cruiiiisin!

I ride a smaller frame for the fun factor -and what I was used to riding as a kid.

I wonder if some like the feel of the smaller bike coming from a BMX background and others a larger coming from a road bike background? Especially when a rider is in between sizes and the fit is so close

Why aren't you touching the effective top tube in the size measurments?

I learned more about how to pick a size here in this video than watching 15 videos for up to an hour!!! Thanks!!

At the end of the day. CONTROL AND FUN is the take home.

5'9 Rider / Goes with a bike suited for 5.1 - 5.7. The Small.

It's a shame you didn't try a shorter stem on the M, to match your RAD. I am wondering if you'd have loved it more, because it would have been just slightly more twitchy - maybe just enough to give you that same maneuverability that you felt on the S. Either way, keep up the good work, enjoying the vids!

Thanks! This was helpful.

Size does matter or one is going to have back ache, joint pain, wrist pain and shoulder pain riding long hours.

I am 6'2" and was forced to buy an m/l frame size (18.5") because L was completely sold out, I hope its not gonna be too small (ordered online)

I'm getting so confused that I don't even want to buy one, as if reach and stack is everything to know. What about stem length, handle bar width, crank length... Manufacturer A is telling me I'm just perfect by choosing S (reach 401), manufacturer B says I'm a little to big for S 395 and a little to small for their M 426, when my 170x2.5 is giving me 425

Cool cool cool cool cool

I watched all your and Lee's videos about RAD. It still doesn't make sense to me: two riders with the same height and inseam but... the one with the slightly longer arms needs the smaller (shorter RAD) bike????

Great video very helpful!

i'm small guy only almost 5'5 height i prefer small i try medium i feel my body stretch

im 185cm (6'1") and this formula gives me a reach of 462 which is like a medium bike. No bike manufacturer would ever recommend i ride a medium at 6'1"

Me agrado

This is one of the most useful reviews that I've seen. It is nice to see this test and the results as I'm a rider that has to pick between 2 sizes.

so rad doesnt matter then lol???!!!

Late to the party. Just measured my RAD. Interestingly, it is the exact same length as the BB to elbow cups distance on my TT/Triathlon bike's setup, which I've spent years dialling, and which is about perfect for me (long course tri etc.). I wonder if this is mere coincidence, or whether there are biomechanical ramifications here. But yeah, RAD or RAD minus for the trial and DJ builds, for sure.

This is a good video, sadly not a lot of bike shops will allow you to take 2 sizes to a trail to test them out. Also. Not a lot of people can afford to buy two bikes to do the same.

Thanks this helped heaps I’m like 5ft and riding a medium I think I’m gonna get a small now cheers mate🤙

I’m 6’8 what should I get? 😂

It's odd how two different trail bikes from the same company can have two different reach measurements. One is 450 and another is 465 and both are called medium. I also noticed that the medium I used to ride can be categorized as a modern small size bike. I am getting back in the game and I am not sure what I am supposed to be looking for. Been on many demos and are more confused than ever. Measurements like reach, stack and st angle are all new to me. Also bars that are 800mm wide and stems are so short. I did a lot of switchback riding and can't imagine doing it with a bar that wide. In conclusion all the bike felt awkward.

Im 5’7”. I just put money down on a Pivot trail 429. Dealer told me I’m definitely a medium. After doing a lot of research including this video, it seams that I should be on a small

Smaller is a lot more fun I think as well. What I dislike about a bike that’s a little smaller is the fatigue at the end of the day. That could just be because you seem to be more active on the smaller frame who knows. I ultimately chose the larger frame based on less fatigue which equated to longer ride times.

Legend. I'm on the verge of a S (27.5) canyon stoic size range and the M has the 29s. I've been a complete mess on what one to buy. It was the fun tick for the small frame that's sealed the deal.

Would be cool if you did like only difference AT ALL between the bikes "not including sizes" was like a color dot under the bike. like between the pedals. So that you couldn't tell by looking at what one was what. Then got on and road both down the hill and said what one you thought was what size and what one felt better. I know some bikes you would be able to tell instantly what one is bigger or smaller but still would be interesting to see.

So very interesting. Iam also 175cm tall and in my last shop, they wanted me to sell an Epic/Evo in size Large, because i have long legs(84cm). After watching that - no way! Thank you.

Heard you complaining about the front tire grip... change to an ASSEGAI!!

5'10" on a M/L, I'll keep it for downhill as it's intended, but I think I'll go with a Large for a roadbike.

To me it seems even if the medium is faster you made time up on tighter turns on the small
I prefer a smaller frame for my size for the flick effect that makes riding more fun

Great video

My gosh this makes me feel better about my size small Revel Rascal (I'm 5 8.5 with long ape index!) What a handy video for me! Thanks!

I broke my collarbone and scapula in a motorcycle crash decades ago, my right arm is lower to the ground (standing) and wider from my body centerline. My RAD on right is 77 mm , my RAD on left is 80 mm, a difference of 3 mm or about 1.25". I ride mostly for fitness (not jumping or tricks) and am 65, just retired, but still want a good fitting bike. Should I not worry about this discrepancy or should I split difference? Thanks for the great and timely info, just found your channel and like it a lot! I'm just over 5' 9", or 176cm. When I bought my current MT Bike, Gary Fisher hardtail in 1999, the advice was always go smaller. But recently I always see go larger if you are between sizes. My background is more road than MTB, but I want to get off the road with more cars and distracted drivers. Plus MTB is more fun! Next bike is full suspension e-MTB.