Choosing a mountain bike size?

Question

I am interested in a 2006 Marin Palisades Trail Disc Bike. I cannot decide on the 13" or the 15" frame. The standover height on the 15" frame is 30.5" which is too tall for me. However, since the top tube on this bike is sloped, I'm not sure if this size is too big or too small. I am 5'6" and my inseam is about 30". Does anyone have any advice? Serious answers only please.

No, I have not stood over the bikes. I live in Alaska and Marin bikes are not carried by the REI store here. I tried a Novara 16" frame, which was a little too big and the salesperson helping me said that a 15" frame should be adequate. I am not sure how brand-specific the sizing is. It seems like the Marins run slightly larger than other frames for standover height.

Answer 1

If you are 5"6" I suspect that the 15 inch would be fine. have you actually stood over these two bikes? On a mountain bike, you definitely do not want the top tube to interfere with you when you dismount. You certainly want over an inch there. Don't worry about the slope. The standover height is the standover height. But I can't stress enough how important it is to test these for you. Not only for height - but for reach.

For context, I am 5'8" and I ride either a 16.5 or 18" depending on the brand. I can't imagine that you would be a 13".

Answer 2

i'm 6'a million with a 32" inseam and performance a 19" body that I actually have carried out extremely some mountain cycling with. it truly is somewhat large and had I undemanding extra effectual even as i purchased it i ought to have lengthy previous with yet another employer and an 18" body. For bumming around the city the nineteen" is large yet even as issues get truly tight and technical there are circumstances i trust somewhat too stretched out on the body. one element to be careful of isn't all 19" frames are a similar, some journey more beneficial than others. attempt to locate a bike keep on the city that consists of a similar line of motorcycles and bypass there to attempt on one in each of there motorcycles for length.