Did I buy the right size bike?

[sparkysx]

Hi,

Just bought a Carrera Crossfire E, I bought the 21" but wondering if I should of bought the 19". I'm 5'11" but my inside leg is 34.5 inches, so it's a tough one. I can ride it comfortably but it feels big. My last bike was a GT Aggressor with a 20" frame.

When I was sitting on Specialized bikes last year in the shop, I couldn't figure out which one was going to be best for me.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Deleted member 128]

I've found that it's best to ignore the manufacturer's recommendations and to test ride the model and size that you're planning to buy.

 

[James63]

That size sounds good to me given your size. You will probably get used to it.

 

[Gubbins]

I think a lot depends on how old you are and your physical abilities. I see a lot of older riders who prefer a low saddle and be able to firmly plant both feet on the road when stopped, but this gives an inefficient bent legged riding action. I prefer to be able to almost straighten my legs when riding yet still be able to touch the road when stopped. The reach to the bars also changes with frame size.. so the question is does it feel big because your used to a smaller bike or is it uncomfortable to ride?

 

[Kenny]

Providing the stand over height is comfortable, it’s a cheap fix to change the stem and bars to get your ideal stance.

 

[Benjahmin]

When you say' feels big' how does this present itself to you? Reach too far, saddle too high, cross bar too high?

 

[sparkysx]

I think it's the crossbar being too high, I can stand over the crossbar without it touching me though. It's not uncomfortable to ride, I think i'm just really used to the 20" frame, really wish I had bought the 19" but then that might of been too small. Guess the only thing I can do is stick with it for a few months and if it doesn't work out, stick it on ebay and get the smaller one, or do a diy electric bike.

Are any of you guys a similar height to me with a 21" frame?

Thanks for your time it's appreciated! I have anxiety problems when it comes to buying expensive things!

 

[JPGiant]

As others have mentioned it's all down to personal fit.
A longer/shorter stem - raising/lowering the saddle - moving the saddle forward/backwards on the rails - lifting/lowering the seatpost are all there to aid the rider to achieve the best/comfortable riding position.
It may take a while to find the sweet spot - go for a gentle ride and take a set of Allen keys to make some adjustments on the journey or sit on some other bikes and take measurements from the floor and saddle/bars dimensions from stem/saddle post tubes if you find a comfortable one.

 

[sparkysx]

I've decided to go for a smaller size, sat on a 19" the other day and it felt better.

 

[jarob10]

I’ve a 34” inside leg and have a

60cm hybrid
Specialized camber xxl
Giant anthem xl

Bigger the better easier to fit the battery in the frame too

 

[aardvark5]

When I went to buy my first normal road bike about 6 years ago I was told to have a 23" frame and I'm 5ft 6ins. I wasn't really happy but tried a couple more at Halfords and went back to the original shop to order the 21" instead and they shook their heads. After a few months I still felt uneasy on the bike because having limb problems I wanted to be able to put at least one foot on the ground but I could only do that if I jumped forward to the crossbar. Just like to add that three 'professional' shops had sized me to 23"
A few months later I bought a Carrera Subway from Halfords with a 19" frame and I felt a lot safer on this bike.
When I bought my first eBike I decided on 18" and then my subsequent two normal bikes that I converted were 17.5" and I feel really safe on those.
Incidentally when I went to buy my Trek 7.3FX hybrid they sized me in the shop and still insisted I needed 22/23" but I got them to find my a display 17.5" to try and I was happy but they were still giving me advice which I'm sure for a very fit 20 year old was great advice.

The moral: Go and test some bikes out, only you know what you'll feel better/safer on even though it may not be necessarily efficient.

 

[sparkysx]

I'm probably not going to lose too much on the Crossfire, so will get a smaller one and keep you all updated. thanks!

 

[sparkysx]

So I sold the Crossfire and ended up with £50 more than I paid after ebay took their sizable chunk, but the amount of time I spent cleaning it and the agro wasn't worth the £50.

I'm either going to buy a Scott E sub which is on sale atm, or convert my trusty GT bike which seems to be a perfect size for me. I would probably use a Bafang 36v 500w motor.

What do you think is the best course to take?

thanks

 

[aardvark5]

What do you think is the best course to take?

thanks

I think you already know

 

[sparkysx]

I really don't

 

[Steve Bowles]

I got the 49cm frame for my R-M; I was told by a dealer to get the 53cm frame for a Cube I was considering. My R-M feels a bit big, but I didn't think the smallest frame size would have been correct. I'm also 5'11" with a 32" inseam. That's the bitch of buying on-line.

 

[aardvark5]

I really don't

Convert the bike you are comfortable with

 

[sparkysx]

well that would work out to roughly half the price including new wheels, right shifter and shimano disc brakes with rotors. The bafang can be transplanted to other bikes aswell if I want to, I could even fit it to a bmx for a bit of fun. Was thinking of this battery:-

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/36V-6-4Ah-6-8Ah-7-8Ah-E-Bike-lithium-Battery-Newest-small-mini-water-bottle/32915002702.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10065_10068_10130_10547_319_317_10548_10696_10192_10190_453_10084_454_10083_10618_10307_10820_10301_10821_10303_537_536_10902_10882_10059_10884_10887_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_45,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=717bccf4-dca3-4657-af67-58c24f904f98-12&algo_pvid=717bccf4-dca3-4657-af67-58c24f904f98&transAbTest=ae803_4

anyone have experience with buying from aliexpress? I've never done it.

 

[sparkysx]

All the bafang programming sounds like a pain, would I be better off with one of these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36V350W-E-bike-Hub-Motor-fit-Cassette-Kit-26-Rear-Wheel-36V13Ah-Battery-Black/223023790970

 

[aardvark5]

well that would work out to roughly half the price including new wheels, right shifter and shimano disc brakes with rotors. The bafang can be transplanted to other bikes aswell if I want to, I could even fit it to a bmx for a bit of fun. Was thinking of this battery:-

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/36V-6-4Ah-6-8Ah-7-8Ah-E-Bike-lithium-Battery-Newest-small-mini-water-bottle/32915002702.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10065_10068_10130_10547_319_317_10548_10696_10192_10190_453_10084_454_10083_10618_10307_10820_10301_10821_10303_537_536_10902_10882_10059_10884_10887_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_45,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=717bccf4-dca3-4657-af67-58c24f904f98-12&algo_pvid=717bccf4-dca3-4657-af67-58c24f904f98&transAbTest=ae803_4

anyone have experience with buying from aliexpress? I've never done it.

That is a very small battery.
I recently bought a 36v 12.8ah from here and I'm quite pleased - https://www.yosepower.com/en/category/E-bike-Battery-35.html