How to Choose a Mountain Bike Size
When you select a new mountain bike, you see a several models from the same category. Apart from known parameters such as suspension travel, frame geometry and wheels diameter, there are other important parameters which you must look at before making a purchase. Adjusting the bicycle to a biker's body is a primary requirement in a new mountain bike purchase and has significant influence on the ride.
The majority of the mountain bikes are designed for riders of 1.75 meters, weighing around 75 kilograms and with above average form. If those are your values, you're lucky, because the amount of bikes that can fit you is practically endless.
Once you decided your riding style (cross-country, trail, all-mountain or downhill), suspension travel, frame geometry and selected the appropriate bike, it's time to move on several other parameters that must be taken into consideration before the final decision.
Long Like Spaghetti
Taller riders usually ride more "elegantly" than the low ones. Mountain bike riders with short legs and a solid upper body seem often clumsy. If you're tall, I encourage you to choose the lightest frame as possible with a short suspension travel. As long as you are not overweight, let your hands and feet do most of the work, and enjoy a light and agile bike.
Stuck in the Middle
If your height fits in between two sizes, for example small and medium, both are appropriate for you. If you ride fast and enjoy mostly cross-country style, take advantage of the larger frame (longer wheel base, which provides high-speed stability at the expense of maneuverability). If you ride technical, you should choose a smaller size to easily tackle jumps and bumps at low speeds.
"Supersize"
Some of the high weight bikers prefer to ride on a low weight gear, which is not a good match. Heavy riders should concentrate on bicycle parts survival and not to pay attention to overall bike weight. Rider that weights over 90 kilograms and prefers a cross-country riding style should purchase a 5 inch trail bike weighing 13 kilograms, and not a competitive hard tail bike.
Downhill
Downhill bikes often weigh over 21 kilograms. Sometimes it is half of the rider's weight. There is no reason to drag a bike that is almost 40 percent of your weight. Light weight short rider can use a bike with medium travel suspension that equipped with lighter parts.
Air Spring Suspension
Air springs absorbers, front or rear, usually not designed to support riders weighing over a hundred kilograms. Bike specification should specify the dampers maximum air pressure and what weight they can support.
Custom Bike
If you are very tall, very short or have abnormal body proportions, it's time to buy a custom bike built especially for you. To enjoy the ride, you need to buy a right size bike. Review the companies offering this service, and remember that even this is more expensive option, it is better to pay and enjoy than compromise and suffer.
For more information regarding mountain biking and specially mountain biking clothing, refer to Mountain Biking Clothing
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