how do i figure out what size mountain bike is right for me?
446581
Best way to do it is to go to a bike shop and they are always willing to assist with questions. Try a few different bikes and find out which one is most comfortable. \n\nMake sure you figure out the (ask them) the 'frame size', 'wheel size' (Most are 26") and possibly the style of frame (eg. XC).\n\nThen you have an idea of what bike suits you and you can start looking for a 2nd hand one to purchase.
1149440
Get thee to your local bikeshop and get fitted.  The professionals can help you and make sure you are buying the right size bike for your body.
987459
I think that you need to consider the type of riding you will do.  A mountain bike will look cool, but if you are riding on streets, skinny tires can go faster.\n\nThe most important thing is to buy a bike that fits you, and is the highest quality frame that you can afford.  I think that you will probably be happiest with a bike that makes YOU look good.  Even the coolest looking bike will make you feel silly if you are always trying to catch up.\n\n\nBelow is a link to some articles written by a very funny bike expert.
701221
Well, you can try \nwww.mtbr.com\nforums.mtbr.com\n\nMountain bike review has a lot of info on different stuff, and the forum section is nice and (most) people are helpfull.
370276
It's hard to answer this without knowing more about the particular bike you have.  From what I can tell by looking at a picture of your bike on the web, it looks like a pretty standard bike, so any standard set of panniers should fit.  Your best bet, though, is to take your bike to a few local bike shops and ask for their advice.  Personally, I like to use the local bike shop whenever financially reasonable, to support them so they stay in business and are there when you need them!
724518
Road bikes are measured from the center of the bottom bracket (BB) to the top tube (TT) under the saddle.  This section of the bike frame is called the seat tube.  Trek will have a list of dimensions on their website that you can look at.  They build bike frame proportional to the average riders size.  So as the frame size goes up, the seat tube length and the top tube length will increase in length.  A quality bike shop will be able to fit you properly.  I suggest test driving a few different bikes at a couple different shops to get a good idea of what you like.  Every bike rides and feels different because they use different components or the way the frame is built and they type of material used.
426013
For your price range, you should limit yourself to a hardtail, front-suspension only.  A rear-suspension bike that is worthwhile will be hard to find in your price range.  Make certain that you can set the pre-load high enough to deal with your weight.\n\nYou may be able to find mechanical disk brakes in that price range, but I would be inclined to stick with the V-brakes.  If the added expense is used on discs, they've cut back somewhere else.  My son's bike (KHS Alite 500) came with disc-compatible hubs and the necessary frame and fork mounts to retrofit discs at a later time.\n\nYou should get gloves, full-finger or half-finger, your choice.  You'll appreciate this after your first tumble in loose rock.  Shorts are not 100% necessary, but they'll definitely be more comfortable for rides of an hour or more.  Baggy mountain bike shorts with liners are available from numerous shops and on-line retails.\n\nYou might want to consider shoes and clipless pedals.  I would probably ride the trails a few times with the regular platform pedals to get used to the bike, but clipless pedals and shoes can make a world of difference.\n\nDon't forget water. I tend to use water bottles on my road bike and a hydration pack when I'm riding the mountain bike.\n\nYou'll also need a small underseat bag to carry a multi-tool and a spare tube.  You'll also need an inflator or pump to carry on the bike.  You will get a flat sooner or later.\n\nOther than that, get a bike frame that fits.  Torso measurement is just as important as leg length.  A bike with a top tube or stem that is too long or too short will make you uncomfortable and not be as stable.\n\nGood luck.
814785
bikesdirect.com has guidelines on the size.
888396
I would recommend talking to your friends who cycle as well as stop in at a few bicycle stores. Odds are you plan on riding with others so it is a good ice-breaking to start talking about bike types and applications. It's great to know a few good bicycle shops in your area. Then ask yourself, what kind of terrain I plan on riding on (paved streets, dirt roads, trails, etc.) How often do I plan on riding my bike and how much can my budget afford. A good bike shop can help you with those. Then as far as women specific bikes, again talk to the bike shop, maybe take one for a test ride and see how the bike fits you. The bike fit is very important, if it doesn't feel good to you, are you really going to ride the bike. I personaly like the Trek bike line. I've riding one for the past few years (over 35,000 miles and counting) and I love it. Good luck and happy cycling. jim
224895
I'm about your size, less 20lbs, and I just bought a 159. Anywhere in the range 153-160 should be great according to all the major manufacturers recommendations.
704967
Are you still growing?  \n\nI'm 5'4" and have long since stopped growing.  I've ridden many road bikes and the one that fits me the best is a size small Giant.\n\nIf the Denali is your the only bike that you're looking at, I'd recommend going with the small.  Even you're still growing, the handlebars and stem can be adjusted with you for the next 4-5 inches of height.\n\nIf you're growing fast, it won't be the end of the world to get the larger frame.  Back when I thought I still had room to grow, I rode about that size (57cm) and it wasn't too bad.  I just never grew into it.  \n\nAlso - if you are still growing be sure to drink milk and get good amounts of protein.
1131192
To determine your proper frame size, you’ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement . Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" apart on a hard floor, \nlooking straight ahead.\nPlace a book or carpenter’s square between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. (You can convert inches to centimeters by multiplying inches by 2.54.) Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length. \n\nSource(s):\nFrame size refers to the length of the frame’s seat tube. Pro frames are measured along the seat tube in one of two ways, center-to-top (C-T) or center-to-center (C-C). C-T measures the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube or seat lug (See image bellow). C-C measures from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube. Since C-T measures to a point higher on the frame, a frame measuring 55cm C-T would also measure roughly 53.5–54cm C-C, a difference of 1–1.5cm.\n\nTo size your C-T road frame, we use a guideline of .67 x inseam length. For example, if you have an 85cm inseam, your C-T frame size would be .67 x 85cm, or 57cm.\n\nLeMond’s formula, from his former coach, Cyrille Guimard, establishes C-C size by the formula .65 x inseam length, which yields virtually the same frame size when you add the 1–1.5cm difference between C-C and C-T. \n\nLarger riders (6'0" and up) may find that this formula puts them on a too small, and uncomfortable, road frame. A taller cyclist who wants a more comfortable frame may be better off selecting a frame 27–28cm less than inseam length, C-T.\n\nFor a mountain bike, we start by recommending a frame in the range of 10–12cm smaller than you take in a road frame. For example, if you ride a 55cm C-T road frame, look for a 43–45cm (17–18") C-T mountain frame
293977
Look, nobody can tell you who makes the best bike.  I used to tell everyone who would listen that Rocky Mountain Bikes are the best, hands down, and honestly, they fit me better than any other bike i have ever owned.\nThe answer lies in a few simple questions.  What kind of mountain biking are you in to.. i.e. cross country, freeride, racing, pleasure... you get the idea.  The next is what bikes do my local shops carry?  The rest of your questions will be answered when you visit that shop and try a few rides out.  Figure out what fits you, what feels the best, which one looks the coolest...\nTruth is, besides a good number of small manufacturers and a handfull of companies that actually own plants that make their bikes, there are about Five major factories in Taiwan, China, and one in the USA that pump out 90% of the bikes you see on the shop floor.  Each brand may have their own idea of how a bike should be made, but cash is king and its cheaper to have a bike built in Taiwan than it is here in the good ol' USA.  My personal experience is that if you are hard on your bike, the best bikes are made in Canada and the Pacific Northwest.  The hardest of the hardcore live and ride there and their bikes have to be built to take hell and come out on top.  So theres my two cents.
477968
Whatever size you feel comfortable on. You shouldn't buy a bike based only on your height. Some people like bikes that are a little lower, some a little higher. Just try a few out a see what you like.
262156
Get off the computer and get outside and use good old trial and error.  Build a ramp of dirt--it may be easier to make a pile of rocks (or whatever else you have in your area) and cover it with dirt.  Jump your bike off it and then adjust it as needed.  Buy a mountain bike video (The Collective, Kranked series, etc) and check out how they build theirs.  They will be bigger and the lips will be more vertical, but you can scale it down.  Also check out photos on online forums (MTBR, NSMB, ridemonkey, busted spoke, etc).  People post their dirt jumps all the time.\n\nIf you know of any BMX jump tracks, check those out.  But realize that a MTB wheelbase is longer, so the curvature of the ramp/lip needs to be a larger diameter.\n\nIf youre only going for 3' of air, you can probably land flat or build your jump so that you land on a down-sloped transition.  When you progress bigger than that, you will probably build your own transition exactly where you need it, and at the angle you need.\n\nCheck out Bellingham, WAs dirt jump park--my buddy helped develop and build it.
1053483
Pls do not listen to the above 2 as they are rubbish. I myself am currently riding the KONA Stinky bike, and i am riding size 16" (so coincidential !!) i am 5'7, and the size is a bit too big for me. I tried my friend's kona stinky 15" and it fits me perfectly. So you may wish to consider a 16", since your 5'10. However, if you want more stability, especially when going down fast/in mid-air, you can consider the 16.5". If you need more agility to do hops and stunts, 15.5" would be good\n\n\n\n\n\nto jscottmeans: there is no size 18" for kona stinky. this is not a xc bike.
1027822
Seat posts range in size.  With most common being 27.2 mm.  There are 26.4, 27.0 etc.  Do not guess, if the seatpost is too small and you try to ride on it, it can irreversably damage the frame. If it's too large, then obviously it will not fit.  The way to go is to take the bike to a bikeshop, they will have a special measurment pipe that's inserted into the frame and tells you precise diameter.  Seatposts are not cheap, but it would make sense to buy at the bike shop as well, rather than to wait for 2 weeks on ebay and save 10 bucks.  \nTo prevent stolen seatpost get a special leash that goes on the seat and attaches to a frame ($6) or go for extra cool and secure Onguard seatpost skewer (usually $50 in a set along with two wheel skewers).