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I'm 6 2 and find 21" a little too big in retro as a rule as I prefer to stay period correct and use a longer stem. Depends how long your arms are though.
21 Inch frame - too big?
- Thread starter twain
- Start date
6' 1" and i generally ride a 19" however it does depend on so many variables, with so many bikes out there and the varying geometry you will know and feel when a bike is too large. I rode a 17.5" Specialized Rockhopper on the Coast to Coast route with no issues yet my normal weekend rides are 19" Oranges. 
suburbanreuben
Old School Grand Master
Yes, probably, unless it has a comparatively short top tube, like many early '90s bikes did.twain":14hujbo3 said:
It isn't worth riding around on a badly sized bike, no matter how nice it is. It'll just feel a lot crapper than a well fitting one.
People pay good money to have bikes custom made to fit. They're not wasting it!
sylus
Old School Grand Master
Depends on the purpose you have for the bike Twain?
Off road at 6ft 3 I normally find a 18/19 about right as they are small enough to be flickable and big enough for my size. I find 17 with a super long seatpost just far to risky given my weight and size
Mostly on road, canal paths and level dirt tracks a 21 is fine as it's a more comfortable and relaxed size. I would also use a 21 for a touring/commuter conversion.
I would agree with some that a tad under 6ft a 18 or 19 would probably be a better fit than a 21
Off road at 6ft 3 I normally find a 18/19 about right as they are small enough to be flickable and big enough for my size. I find 17 with a super long seatpost just far to risky given my weight and size
Mostly on road, canal paths and level dirt tracks a 21 is fine as it's a more comfortable and relaxed size. I would also use a 21 for a touring/commuter conversion.
I would agree with some that a tad under 6ft a 18 or 19 would probably be a better fit than a 21
Blindside
Old School Hero
Im 6ft 3ish and ride a 21" Orange frame. I dont really do "all out" mountain biking on it so to speak but ive never considered it too big for me. HOWEVER if i could swap it for a 19" i probably would just for that added feel of control.All the other bikes i either own or have had are 18" to 20"
Like others have said above there is varying geometry with large (or gate) bikes but if you are under 6ft and you have the choice, i wouldnt go 21"
Ian
Like others have said above there is varying geometry with large (or gate) bikes but if you are under 6ft and you have the choice, i wouldnt go 21"
Ian
suburbanreuben
Old School Grand Master
sylus":42j9p0cf said:
check the standover height as well. If it's upwards of 33 inches then I'd guess the frame is too tall for ya
also we don't know if you are measuring 21" to the top of the ST or center to center. you might be talking about a 19" frame that measures 21" to the top. we don't really know yet.
LOL at that photo of the chimp!
also we don't know if you are measuring 21" to the top of the ST or center to center. you might be talking about a 19" frame that measures 21" to the top. we don't really know yet.
LOL at that photo of the chimp!
Personally its more about your leg/arm length...I am just shy of 6ft 4" and i would say that I can ride a 19"-21" frame size but I have longer arms than legs for my height if you get what I mean! (Hence the wookiee nickname even as a kid I displayed this "feature")...I always end up getting a longer stem for my arms but can get away with a 19" with the seat up almost full....(always good for "clearance" on your essentials!)
Wook
Wook
