I was one of the people during covid that got into MTB because free money and of course the old lady "we can't sit inside all day watching netflix". So my journey began and I went to REI.com and picked out the coolest looking bike i could find. I did do some research on 27.5 versus 29 and at the time "bigger is better". My dilemma is I am sure that it is way to big for me. I am not sure if its just the huge tires or what. Ive had this bike for 4 or so years and Ive got around 100 hours on it. Still doesnt feel comfortable.
I am 5'7 around 160 lbs and I got a medium. I am thinking now that even with a small frame with 29s would still be to big. But my other thought is would a medium frame 27.5 be just right. The bike I have right now is a ghost slmr 2.9 and for the kind of riding i do, I dont need a FS bike. I build my own jumps and stuff but fs seems a bit overkill. Anyway i was just seeing what the MTB hive mind would suggest as far as a hardtail and then what the market looks like for used MTB.
Budget 1500 or less.
by hutjimmy
5 Comments
I’m 5’4” and got a mullet. But I mainly ride tech, not jumps s much
No clue what you bought but it’s unlikely a medium is too large for someone your size
Since you didn’t include what you actually bought or where you ride and at what level, it is hard to say. You are on that sizing cusp where you can typically go small or medium. I doubt the medium is too big though, nor are the wheels as most of the shorter riders I know ride 29s.
That said, wheel size is a personal taste, and you might find yourself riding more confidently on a 27.5 or mixed-wheel bike, though it isn’t possible to say for sure. It is something you’d have to try out.
I’d recommend a FS honestly. I’m 5’8 and ride a medium XC bike (Scott spark) and it feels perfect. Depends on the brand though. My previous bike was a Santa Cruz 5010 which were 27.5 and that was a lot of fun to ride around and do jumps. It depends what you’re riding. I love my Spark bc it’s light and I can still do small jumps without feeling like I’m going to destroy it.
I’m the same size (5’7 162 lbs) and ride a medium 29er. I have thought it was too big in the past but, from my experience, that was largely from a lack of skill. I’m not sure what your level is but as a beginner you’re not gonna have great control over the bike so 29ers may feel too big even though they’re really not. I just gave it time and when I improved my control over the bike it started to feel perfect.