How to "Downsize" a frame - Specialized FSR Ground Control

[KenKlejs]

I just got my first full suspension today, a very old 1997 Specialized FSR Ground Control. For 217 pounds, cheap considering full suspensions in DK are rare!

It rides great, breaks great, feels like I'm floating! BUT it is a 19" frame, which is supposedly too big for me.

I'm a short guy 5'7-8 or around 170-72 cm. I should have a 17,5" frame. My previus mtb was a rigid 19" mtb, but I didn't notice any faults with the size.

On this bike though, I had to cut some of the stem off to reach the pedals when riding And I do have to reach a tiny bit forward. But it is not at all unrideable, do still have loads of fun on it

So, I think it could be a bit smaller maybe. How could I downsize it?

The stem is semi long, about 120 mm. I could cut the seat down a lot further. But is this the right thing to do?

 

[drystonepaul]

Re:

I'd go for a 90mm stem first.

If your seatpost has to drop any further than that just to comfortably reach the pedals, then I reckon it it definitely too big for you.

 

[B3]

Re:

An in line seatpost will also help.

 

[mikee]

try turning the seatpost round
and as paul says shorter stem, riser bars will help too

 

[frank.youngman]

I had to adjust the fit on a 2004 Specialized Enduro for my son,similar sort of geometry as yours.I fitted a 60mm stem which sorted the reach problem perfectly.Got the stem off Ebay for £20,looked the same as a branded and much more expensive stem.

 

[cce]

the saddle fore/aft position should be defined by the relationship between your legs and the pedals, not the reach.

trying to adjust cockpit length like that is a recipe for incorrect muscle activation and a lot of pain. Trust me....

 

[frank.youngman]

Can't agree with that.The boy has just bought his first brand new road bike and part of this was a proper professional bike fit session.Having first established the correct saddle height and saddle fore/aft adjustment,the last part of the process was to swop the standard 130mm stem for a 100mm stem.

Basically he is a teenager and his legs have grown faster than his arms,so he has the correct frame size for his height,but his arm length has yet to catch up.

I have fitted the same 60mm stem to my own Enduro,I prefer the more upright seating position and steering feel.Like my son I have long legs but relatively shorter arms so on the original stem I felt too stretched out.

 

[cce]

Can't agree with that.The boy has just bought his first brand new road bike and part of this was a proper professional bike fit session.Having first established the correct saddle height and saddle fore/aft adjustment,the last part of the process was to swop the standard 130mm stem for a 100mm stem.

Basically he is a teenager and his legs have grown faster than his arms,so he has the correct frame size for his height,but his arm length has yet to catch up.

I have fitted the same 60mm stem to my own Enduro,I prefer the more upright seating position and steering feel.Like my son I have long legs but relatively shorter arms so on the original stem I felt too stretched out.

You're agreeing with what I'm trying to say. Stem length is the way to adjust cockpit length, not saddle fore-aft. Saddle fore-aft is a function of leg length, not trunk length.

 

[KenKlejs]

I can reach the pedals just fine, no problem there, I can reach the pedal with my heel and leg stretched.

The reach is the main problem I think. But is there any like, wrongdoing in "adjusting" the bike in this way? I could sell it, and spend more money on a 17,5 frame...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAHGhfvxdiA I tend to scoop forward. Does my form look correct to you guys? (Not the bunny though, first time I ever got to lift the back wheel)

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

If you can ride it like that then just bang a 70 or 90mm stem on and get an inline post. Job done, it'll be fine.