I'll put in a vote for the smaller size as well, but it's a tough call. If you're planning to use the bike for mostly touring, the larger size might arguably be more comfortable. For mostly MTB trail riding, i'd pick the smaller frame. I'm 6'4", 93cm PBH and have done plenty of trail/gravel riding on my 62cm Crosscheck and 65cm Redwood, but i'm a lot happier on technical trails on my much smaller MB4. A slightly smaller frame is more nimble, and if you're riding a tough rocky or rooty section and have to stop off-camber (not uncommon around here), the frame size can be the difference between dabbing a toe or tipping over into the brush.
-- Bill Connell St. Paul, MN On Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 11:39 AM, doug peterson <dougpn...@cox.net> wrote: > Rene: > > After all the data points regarding the bigger size, here's one vote > for going smaller. I understand Riv's sizing system and philosophy, > but chose to go a size down from their recommendation on my Atlantis > (58 cm vs 61 cm). Coming up on 7 happy years of riding, I've never > given it a second thought. There's actually some overlap on PBHs and > frame sizes. If possible, see if they have a 56 cm you can try on for > size before going to the effort of completely changing. Bikes can > always be made a bit larger (within reason!) but they are tough to > shrink. > > dougP > > On Dec 17, 9:08 pm, Rene Sterental <orthie...@gmail.com> wrote: >> My 60cm Bombadil is finally finished (had too much work and family related >> stuff these last two weeks). I will post pictures tomorrow. However, as soon >> as I straddled it while building it, I realized I had significantly less >> standover clearance than I do on my 61cm Homer. I can still lift both wheels >> what appears to be around 1 inch, haven't really measured, but when I stand >> over the bike with both feet on the ground, I can feel the top tube way up >> "there". The bike is currently built with Specialized El Capitan Control 2.2 >> front/2.0 rear tires for a full MTB experience. >> >> Since it was raining during the weekend and I was swamped with work and >> family, I was only able to take it out for a ride on Tuesday's commute to >> work via bike and Caltrain. I rode it for a total of around 8 miles split up >> in four legs. I'll post more details when I have more time, but my concerns >> with the standover clearance persisted, so I e-mailed Mark @ Rivendell and >> spoke with Keven today. They both feel that based on my measured PBH, the >> 60cm Bombadil frame is the right size, but if I feel it's too big, they will >> set me up with a new 56cm frame. It's great to know that they will stand by >> me and take care of my in this situation. >> >> Today I commuted with the Homer, and even though barely a month and a half >> ago it seemed like a huge frame (my conversion to the Rivendell fit >> philosophy), compared to the Bombadil I felt I had lots of clearance and of >> course, they both handle different. >> >> I'm taking the Bombadil to Rivendell tomorrow so Mark and Keven can check my >> fit and together, we can decide if it is indeed the right size for me, or if >> I'll fit best on the 56cm. Standover height on the Bombadil 60 is about 2 cm >> higher than on the Homer 61. Everyone agrees that you probably need a little >> more clearance on a mountain bike than on a road bike, but what is really >> the minimum clearance? >> >> Anyway, I'll update the group on the decision we take tomorrow and will >> submit photos of the complete bike. Going to a 56 frame will mean another >> wait for it to be painted (minor annoyance), but also a new wheelset from >> Rich, new tires, and no exchanging wheels between the Homer and the >> Bombadil. >> >> What is the feeling regarding standover clearance and minimum clearance? >> >> René >> >> PS.- The fender question is now on hold until the frame size issue is >> cleared... > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
