I’m 49, 5’6″, recently lost 40lbs and want to get back into biking. Last time I was serious about it was mid/lates ’90 during and right after college with a specialized stumpjumper (I loved that bike).
So back in like 2020 I found a good deal on a prior year model bike that I bought hoping to get me back “in the saddle” , I was being overly aspirational and the bike sat around.
For for last 9 months I’ve been serious about getting healthy have dropped 40 pounds and been lifting weights but I hate cardio. I did love basic trail riding so want to get back into that over spring and summer as I continue my health “kick”.
So long story short have a 2018 27.5 Medium Marin nail trail 6, it feels a big big for me and I’m a little uncomfortable on which means I’ll ride it less.
Am I assuming correctly that I can just move all the components onto a 27.5 small hardtail frame?
and if yes what’s best way to source a frame? found one on ebay but it’s $329 which about 50% of what I paid for the entire bike?
current bike- [https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2018-nail-trail-6](https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2018-nail-trail-6) (27.5 Marin nail trail 6)
ebay frame- [https://www.ebay.com/itm/256334385442?hash=item3baeb85122%3Ag%3ANbgAAOSw8Rplcy5z&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8IEQIEozIgacELGDignFR2EFNHEHgn2ybtF2Fk%2BaqCWvEz%2FZFiCQ%2FI2w0gnWUSNw7oUAE%2F%2BeowTyq50RoJ6rgnlpGqtrnxXXp4W39wpTiZLUMoyu0vo%2BP3ME9FUYyvEsa5RJelTQUZKEV%2FdRexjRHT1n01Ptu3yoaorAyL5Nq4MvDtRVURQopwMO8lcetJokOfo5yo2sAlxNPN9JXstxMJBL%2BPmq1unQ3iQs9YDM4fRAbTxLnQ2wPw6XdrcTNdnwQ0HIuG8nWEC1m3CH%2Bo5RuOmdp%2BAYlvJWqGaMtFocoA8CtDUP65uEJs9jnwMvw%2Bq4Rg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM4PXc9Z9j&var=556386764523](https://www.ebay.com/itm/256334385442?hash=item3baeb85122%3Ag%3ANbgAAOSw8Rplcy5z&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8IEQIEozIgacELGDignFR2EFNHEHgn2ybtF2Fk%2BaqCWvEz%2FZFiCQ%2FI2w0gnWUSNw7oUAE%2F%2BeowTyq50RoJ6rgnlpGqtrnxXXp4W39wpTiZLUMoyu0vo%2BP3ME9FUYyvEsa5RJelTQUZKEV%2FdRexjRHT1n01Ptu3yoaorAyL5Nq4MvDtRVURQopwMO8lcetJokOfo5yo2sAlxNPN9JXstxMJBL%2BPmq1unQ3iQs9YDM4fRAbTxLnQ2wPw6XdrcTNdnwQ0HIuG8nWEC1m3CH%2Bo5RuOmdp%2BAYlvJWqGaMtFocoA8CtDUP65uEJs9jnwMvw%2Bq4Rg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM4PXc9Z9j&var=556386764523)
by pigcandy
4 Comments
It should work, but as you’re finding out, it’s not cheap. The only thing that appears to be different between the M and S versions of your bike is the crank length.
From what I’m reading, a medium in the “correct” size for your height, there are a couple options, you could try getting shorter crank arms and see if that helps because maybe you have a longer torso shorter legs or whatever, I switched to some riser handlebars because I was on the shorter size of my frame size and it seemed to help me not feel as if I was leaning so far forward, and I think both of those options could easily be cheaper than a new frame before jumping in. I think spank makes some riser bars for like $40. but see if you can find a local small frame and try it before you change over because it may not be what you’re looking for.
a medium should be about right for you. bike geo has changed a lot since you last rode, it could be that you just need to get used to things.
either way, if it’s just “a little uncomfortable” I’d consider different stem, bars, and seat position first.
if you’re convinced you need something smaller, yeah, it’s gonna cost more.
you can indeed move all your stuff over to a smaller version of the same frame. make sure the 2020 is actually the same – it could be a redesign, in which case things like axle, hub, bar standards etc might be slightly different and some parts may not move over.
Sliding the seat forward in the rails is free and should shrink the reach a bit.
Getting a shorter or higher rise stem is also a cost effective option worth trying before investing in a new bike.