Can I Go Long?

[DaiTrials]

As the topic describes, I'm 5ft 7 and I ride an echo control +20 bb, 1065 wheelbase, 400mm forks.

I've ridden stock now (and more recently 24" also) for about 8 years. The bike I felt most conformable on was the first ashton. It was 1035, level BB and I used the brisa bar and stem. When I changed to my Control it felt long. My gapping has improve and I can surge Higher. I really like the feel, but at the same time I feel like it puts a strain on my back and it is a little too long...

My current bar and stem setup on the control after full possible stacker's on a 200mm steerer is 110mm, 10 degrees and onza carbon bars.

I would like advice (preferably from someone short) on getting the right setup. Maybe a larger rise stem, maybe i'll have to go to a larger rise in the bars or not as wide. I know it sounds crazy but id like to go for more of a BB rise again...

I was thinking that if I get a +40bb frame, and 420 length forks it would feel the same. But most new frames are longer at 1085-1100. How can I get round these problems with my height? I don't want to go mod and I love the way my bike handles, but its too long... expert advice please

In an Ideal world I'd like a +45BB frame, as long as possible but confortable. Anyone got an equation to put 5ft 7" into, lol ?

[Revolver]

Try looking at bikes that have a slacker head angle as well as being long. This'll make it feel shorter.

[DaiTrials]

What sort of angle would you recommend? 71-72 degrees? any frames I should note?

Edited November 23, 2009 by DaiTrials

[Revolver]

http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/product.php?pr...;category_id=14

This is a fair example.

http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/product.php?pr...;category_id=14

The short version of this is 1065, which is good.

Edited November 23, 2009 by Revolver

[Jason222]

I'm 5'8 and I used to ride an echo control short too. Great frame! I changed frames because I wanted to get away from 375 cs. I'd suggest trying a riser bar and a slightly shorter stem first.

Now I'm riding a ZHI Z3. I feel very comfortable on this thing. With a Meta fork, the geo is 1080 wb, +40 bb, 72 ha, 381-388 cs depending on where the axle sits in the dropouts. Its designed for 385 cs though. The only problem I have with this frame is finding a gearing that works with it ideally. I found that 18:16 works perfectly with a half link chain but I find half link chains are too easily broken. Also, the Yaabaa stinger has very similar geo, so it would be comfortable as well.

Here's a pic of the beast.

[DaiTrials]

I'm 5'8 and I used to ride an echo control short too. Great frame! I changed frames because I wanted to get away from 375 cs. I'd suggest trying a riser bar and a slightly shorter stem first.

Now I'm riding a ZHI Z3. I feel very comfortable on this thing. With a Meta fork, the geo is 1080 wb, +40 bb, 72 ha, 381-388 cs depending on where the axle sits in the dropouts. Its designed for 385 cs though. The only problem I have with this frame is finding a gearing that works with it ideally. I found that 18:16 works perfectly with a half link chain but I find half link chains are too easily broken. Also, the Yaabaa stinger has very similar geo, so it would be comfortable as well.

Here's a pic of the beast.

Thank you, thats really helpful. In your opinion would this ... http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/product.php?pr...;category_id=14 with a 35 degree, 90mm stem feel about the same? The stays are 380, which is whats listed for the ZHI z3. The BB is +45, so 5mm more and wheelbase of 1085 also 5mm more. so am I looking at a 5mm shorter stem and maybe 5mm higher? to get same geo as your zhi?

May I ask what the geo is on the meta forks your running, and also what stem bar you got there? Thanks

Edited November 23, 2009 by DaiTrials

[andyb]

Im 5"7 and of the many bikes ive had, i rode my KOT MS2 Long and my coust v2 the best, the kot was on the wrong side of 1100 and the coust wasnt far off.

[craigjames]

I've always ridden shorter bikes for exactly the same reason, at 5'8" ish i'm not giant! But i've recently accquired a Onza Limey 3 which measure up at 1090 wb +30ish bb, i've got a viz stem, an 8mm stacker and Onza carbon bars and to me it feels lovely, could probably do with some higher bars as the onza's are pretty flat; but my riding feels far more stable and controlled and has improved first ride on it.

I wouldnt put a short high rise stem on it, look at the viz or try-all nuc stem and some tryall bars and you should be fine. 110x10* is pretty flat for.

[Jason222]

Thank you, thats really helpful. In your opinion would this ... http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/product.php?pr...;category_id=14 with a 35 degree, 90mm stem feel about the same? The stays are 380, which is whats listed for the ZHI z3. The BB is +45, so 5mm more and wheelbase of 1085 also 5mm more. so am I looking at a 5mm shorter stem and maybe 5mm higher? to get same geo as your zhi?

May I ask what the geo is on the meta forks your running, and also what stem bar you got there? Thanks

The reach measurement of the slate(660 mm) is actually shorter than the ZHI(668 mm), so it would feel a bit shorter. I run a 120x20 stem and a 40 mm riser bar. This setup is ideal for my bike, so something similar would probably suit the slate as well.

My meta fork is supposed to be 410x35.

But, don't expect to bunnyhop these bikes too well! TGS bikes are not made to bunnyhop!

Edited November 23, 2009 by Jason222

[DaiTrials]

The reach measurement of the slate(660 mm) is actually shorter than the ZHI(668 mm), so it would feel a bit shorter. I run a 120x20 stem and a 40 mm riser bar. This setup is ideal for my bike, so something similar would probably suit the slate as well.

My meta fork is supposed to be 410x35.

But, don't expect to bunnyhop these bikes too well! TGS bikes are not made to bunnyhop!

Does anyone know the Sweep and rise of the onza carbon bars, its not listed on tarty? whats bars do you run?

[Jason222]

Does anyone know the Sweep and rise of the onza carbon bars, its not listed on tarty? whats bars do you run?

I run FSA gravity bars. 720mmx40mmx8* I think. They're not trials specific bars, but I like them a lot. The onza bar will probably have less rise than this bar, but I'm sure the onza bar would be excellent as well.

[MikeCottTrials]

I'm also 5"7 and I find mod to be a much better option. I did ride a short stock GU for a couple years which was supposedly 1075. I know now that I was struggling the whole time, switching to mod was the best trials decision of my life

[Alex Dark]

As the topic describes, I'm 5ft 7 and I ride an echo control +20 bb, 1065 wheelbase, 400mm forks.

I've ridden stock now (and more recently 24" also) for about 8 years. The bike I felt most conformable on was the first ashton. It was 1035, level BB and I used the brisa bar and stem. When I changed to my Control it felt long. My gapping has improve and I can surge Higher. I really like the feel, but at the same time I feel like it puts a strain on my back and it is a little too long...

My current bar and stem setup on the control after full possible stacker's on a 200mm steerer is 110mm, 10 degrees and onza carbon bars.

I would like advice (preferably from someone short) on getting the right setup. Maybe a larger rise stem, maybe i'll have to go to a larger rise in the bars or not as wide. I know it sounds crazy but id like to go for more of a BB rise again...

I was thinking that if I get a +40bb frame, and 420 length forks it would feel the same. But most new frames are longer at 1085-1100. How can I get round these problems with my height? I don't want to go mod and I love the way my bike handles, but its too long... expert advice please

In an Ideal world I'd like a +45BB frame, as long as possible but confortable. Anyone got an equation to put 5ft 7" into, lol ?

I ride a Coustellier v2, that measures in at 1107 at the moment....and im just 5 8"

Try looking at bikes that have a slacker head angle as well as being long. This'll make it feel shorter.

yup, my koxx is 71.5 which feels fairly short

Im 5"7 and of the many bikes ive had, i rode my KOT MS2 Long and my coust v2 the best, the kot was on the wrong side of 1100 and the coust wasnt far off.

mhmm, the v2 rides amazingly in my opinion...

[ScottTrials]

Marino would be your best answer frame wise, they seem to be pretty good and plus side is there cheaper and they're built to your own geometry.

[Jason222]

Marino would be your best answer frame wise, they seem to be pretty good and plus side is there cheaper and they're built to your own geometry.

No way! Stay away!

[snoolax]

i have away ridden short bikes, whats the main advantage of a long bike? better tgs?

[psycholist]

I reckon the main advantage is that (Depending on your height) you're less hunched over while hopping on the back wheel. This makes lines where you've got to stay on the back wheel or gapping to the back wheel much easier. I reckon the extra distance from the cranks to the bars also makes tucking on hops easier, but until I actually get good at that one I'll reserve judgement. I've always ridden longish frames though, but short ones I've tried feel very cramped.

[Jamie East]

Im 5 ft 5, started on a short Echo Control, felt fine with a 110 x 15* stem and riser bars. I did have a 80 x 30* stem on at one point, which made it easier to get my weight over the rear wheel, but now a little better i prefer the feel of a longer stem.

Now moved onto a short Zoo Pitbull, which has 5mm longer chainstays, and its a big improvment, gapping is now much easier and i feel more comfortable on it, maybe because the reach is less? Not really sure to be honest.