Mountain Bike Set Up Tips For Taller Riders | GMBN Guide To Bike Set Up
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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- Mountain biking is for riders of all shapes and sizes, and as GMBN’s tallest presenter, Doddy shares some of the tips he's learnt over the years that have made a huge difference to enjoying riding a mountain bike.
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Doddy, this is the best tall rider video that has ever been made. Thank you.
It was a tall order!!
6'5" and my signature sound when ripping through the local Appalachian mountains is that of the smaller low lying limbs clacking against the top of my brain bucket.
If this isn't relatable as a fellow 6'5 rider i don't know what is 🤣
Snap. Both of these comments hahahaha
@@lengthylad I was actually considering taking a knife to the bushes on one of my home trails because the branches once almost took my brain bucket off my head
6ft 2' here... listening to Doddy was almost like ticking off a checklist for me lol
Big wheels (I have a Bird AM9) = check
Saddle forwards = check
Low gears = check
Repeated trees to the face = check
For me too... 6'2" riding an older, secondhand, 26", Large bike... Total checklist tick-off. I have spent tons of time trying to adjust the geometry to fit me better. It has helped, for sure... But I still feel like a giant elephant riding a tricycle around a circus ring!
Well done Doddy - all the info I have been looking for and assimilating over the last year, in one short vid!
Check ☑
187cm here... Upgrading to an XL 29 (hard tail) from my (very) old (about 1995), I think L, possibly even M/L 26" was a revelation. Being comfortable on the bike, and all the updates of 20 something years of MTB development is night and day.
6ft4 / 193cm here, I was feeling the same way. Everything doddy mentioned has happened to me!
Yes i uae a 28 oval
6'9" and on a Trek Fuel EX8 XXL (with a few tweaks), been riding for 25+ years and learned a lot from that! At my height I'm often sent down a trail first to clear it of not only low-flying branches, but much worse, spider webs... Great video Doddy, keep it up, might have some amusing bits for your retro section!!!
Doddy, I owe you huge for this. I must make, like, 10 backups of this, should anything happen to youtube! ;-)
+1 from me
We tall dudes really appreciate this. Ty so much.
Finding a big second hand mountain bike when being a tall rider is very difficult...
It is, I've been looking for a while now
But when you find one there is less competition and thus a slightly better price
I found my XXL Hightower in no time at all. Got a great price too.
A perfect video that has answered so many of my questions! Now to find a video for heavier riders as well (above 250 lbs, 17.8 stone, 113.4 kg)
Have you found one? I a. Buying a MTBthis week and I dont know what sizes get . I am built like a box and having trouble figuring it out. 5 10 tall 29 inch inseam a d I weigt 350lbs
198cm here! Finally some useful information for me! Thank you
You're welcome!
Thank you, I’ve been waiting for a video like this for ages! So many helpful tips!
6'5 200+ lbs rider here this is super helpful for tall people riding through discomfort! Giving up the light/fast rolling tires for something with a beefy sidewall made one of the biggest confidence inspiring changes for me. Well worth the climbing penalty.
I needed this in my life! Thank you!
Thanks Doddy for sharing your knowledge and experience!!!
Awesome! Thank you for doing this video especially for us tall riders, I loved it
Thank you Doddy! Tall riders united!!
Brilliant video! Wonderful information! Thank you!
Thank you for this video! Most helpful one I have seen on the subject. Answered so many of my questions!! Love GMBN in general. Thank you!
About time we had some support for us tall fellas. Good work Doddy!
As a person who is 6'5" (196 cm), I put on a 10.5 inch BMX bars on my mountain bike, and couldn't be happier. I don't drive rocky terrain, but I like riding comfortably wherever. I also added a cruise bike large seat, and that's all a tall man needed. No more hunching over and damaging my spine.
Anyone who is tall knows that we need to make our back stronger, most tall guys have back issues. Last thing you want is bending like a pretzel all ride
Being 6"6 this is helpful 👍
Great tall rider video and explanations much appreciated !
What an epic video thanks man.
This is a fantastic video for tall riders! Thank you so much. I'm slightly bigger than you are, Doddy, so this is great to hear, especially with buying my new bike to fit me better on trails.
Thanks Doddy, I’m 6’6” and very thankful for the advice - think I can make a few adjustments to my riding position! 👍
So many good tips, some I had never thought about particularly seat angle, rear shock function when seated climbing, and avoiding using a bag on your back! Definitely some things to consider for my next bike whenever that may be possible.
great stuff, that's a lot of great information, well done.👌
Thank you! A much needed video!
I love my crankbros large stamps , made a huge difference with outside foot pain and recently buying a 38mm rise bar definitely helped with getting neck soreness . Great video again doddy , it’s your guidance I’ve gone buy to fix these issues 👍🏻 legend .
Great advice. Wish this video would have been done a few years back when I was struggling with a lot of this. I learned bits and pieces scattered about, but this video covers everything and it's all spot on. Most of the tips mentioned I've already done and now I feel my bike is just about perfect. Started riding on an XL frame, 27.5" wheel, and grew to hate that bike and hated riding. Now I ride a XXL bike on 29" and love it. Awesome resource for tall riders, I hope new tall riders find this quickly and skip all the miles of being uncomfortable on an unsuitable bike.
It was a super interesting documentary (it was much more than just a video).
I got great tips out of it and will certainly implement as many as I can!
Good video Doddy, keep up the great work.
Great video, I’m glad somebody has finally addressed the problem of hand size vs grips. I’ve spent decades bemoaning the lack of grips for riders with larger hands, even though nearly everything else is size specific these days. Changing to thicker grips has changed my riding experience, and I don’t end up with sore knuckles anymore.
I had to find this all out the hard way. Definitely agree with the STA, rear centre, fat grips and riser bars. And a custom tune on the shock works wonders. Great video!
Great video thanks Doddy!
This is an awesome vid, I was in a struggle for 275 or 290 on the nukeproof scout race. You got me convinced to get the 29! Thanks.
Thanks from a 6'5 rider. I agree, small is not playful, small just hurts after an hour or so.
YT Jeffsy 29 XXL with 170 mm dropper post
1277 mm wheelbase
Saddle forward (yes, an Ergon, too)
33mm grips (standard is 30)
Maxxis Minion DHR II (stiffer tires)
We all experience the same problems and come up with similar solutions ;o)
Being a taller rider I've had to experiment with "stuff" and your video has made me realise that it's not just me "so to speak" thank you and keep on ''tech-ing'' we need it !
That was fantastic! I’m 6-6 and in the market for a new bike. At my size I often feel I end up settling and just making it work so this is extremely helpful. I frequently was your videos on maintenance. I’ll probably watch this again and take some notes. I’ll also check out that Nukeproof. Thanks!
This came at just the right time!! 6' 4" and bought a new seat gusset seats I thought it would help, tried it and had some serious pain! These tips will really help, I have a hardtail so rear shocks dont affect me but everything else will be worth trying. Thanks Doddy!!
Awesome video! Thanks for the big guy tips 😁
I wish this was made two years ago as it answers so many of the questions I had about buying a bike. I'm tempted to sell my current steed to fund s more appropriate bike. I'm nearly exactly the same height, weight, ape index as Doddy so this advice is invaluable to me as I don't have years of riding experience behind me and access to the variety of kit. Thanks Doddy.
Awesome video.
This actually so helpful
As a 6.7 feet person myself I love the video, I've become big fan of yours and whole GMBN videos. Keep up the good work!!!
As a 6'6 rider this is the best fit clinic video i've seen for MTB anywhere. The E-bike saddle recommendation is great, Love your work Doddy.
Spot on Doddy!, at 6'4" (230lbs) and riding since the late 80's I've shared your pain! So true about the chain ring choice. I run a ehh-hem Garbaruk 26T oval (with Eagle), for getting up our steep sustained climbs. Smaller lighter riders just don't get that. Big people tend to sweat more also with is why I developed the Sweat Buster, love to send you some samples.
This is going to help me immensely!
Thank you for this video. I’m going back over my bike tomorrow to see if there’s any changes I can make. I’ve started to experience quite a few of these issues
Man I’ve Struggled with my whole life the last five years I’ve really started to change different ways to fit my bike . Thank you Doddy you Earned my respect and I Subscribed
6'4" here, just picked up the Santa Cruz Hightower xxl with Kona wah wah pedals. I can't believe how well the bike fits coming off a Kona Process 26er from 2013!! Great video!
6’4” 220 lbs my XL Signature Commencal Tr 29 is a dream! Doddy is absolutely correct! That Nukeproof was on my list as well!
Can't thank you enough for this information....spent my whole life riding best option sizes.... always to small always been an issue... Just ordered a modern geometry bike , in the correct size...only you will probably understand my excitement. I can't wait .
This video has confirmed all the issues I have/had with mountain bikes, being a 6'7" giant finding a bike that feels great has always been an utter pain in the arse/back, also finding a bike that doesn't feel like I'm riding a stool. Great video got this saved
Running a Cotic rocket max XL @6'3 and great tips on the saddle which I havnt tried...cheers Doddy👊🏻
6:39 I totally agree. I have the Norco fluid FS2 in an XL with 29ers and it looks awesome. I changed the pedals to the Crank Brothers stamps in large as I have a wide size 13 foot. I am 6'2
Biggest change for me have been proper pedals (wider q-factor and platform) and proper slack frame (even though I do mostly xc-trail). It transformed rides from scary to enjoyable to feel secure in the pedals and centered in the bike. The numbness in handling that a slacker bike has can be compensated by a shorter stem in my experience.
Great riding Doddy
Great video!
Great vid 👍
Good to hear from someone else who understands the struggle!
With bikes getting bigger and dropper posts getting longer, it's definitely a good time for us taller folk.
Now if Adidas would just go back to making size US14 freeriders like when 510 was owned by 510 I'd be sorted!
thank you so much for explaining some of the more intricate aspects of geometry for tall riders. Talking about the heavy torque position + shock tune vs antisquat was eye-opening. BB height vs wheel size was so logical, but I'd never considered it. 198cm on a short day and I've been struggling with bike fit my whole life. Thought my Pivot Switchblade was the answer for my trail riding needs, but the short chainstays and slack ACTUAL seat tube angle are leading to some of the side effects you mention when climbing. Time to go geometry hunting again!
To that end, adding an addendum about virtual seat tube angle vs actual seat tube angle is a must. For those with seatposts extended into the heavens, the virtual seat tube angle is almost meaningless. The Pivot Switchblade mentioned above is advertised with a not-so-steep 74 degree seat tube angle. A plum bob puts my Switchblade ASTA around 69 degrees and my VSTA around 71 degrees. YIKES
At last some great points for us 6ft+ riders! Cheers Doddy!!
I’ve actually had my pack pull me off the bike!I carry a small pair of sheathed, folding loppers just to save the next tall guy.
So glad to have this info. This is extremely helpful for tall folks. At 194cm with slightly longer inseam and reach, I ended up with modern geo XL (Hightower) and practically laying on the bars to keep the front from tap dancing up a climb. Even though things with modern bikes seem to fit much better, back pain, control in the cockpit, and feeling touchy on climbs and in the air are real struggles. I never considered chainstay length, pedal spindles, and many other items you mentioned. Thank you.
Great vid. 6ft6 and just gone from an old Bullit to a 29er XL Vitus Sommet. The difference is night and day... modern enduro bikes are great for us tall folk
Thank you sooo much i can relate to everything you say i am 6ft5 and i am 14yrs old so i will still grow a little bit untill now i hat a size l bike and always suffered from back and neck pain and i had the feeling holding my weight in the middle of my bike i am soo happy that i am not alone with these problems thank you so much for the tips great video mate!!!
Great Video Doddy! 6'2" and a lot of useful info, Thanks!
Great info here for us taller riders... 6’4”/192cm here and still trying to dial in the setup on my new XXL YT.
Just now watching this video. Thanks Doddy!! This was a huge help. I'm almost 6' 5" (~193cm) and I just ordered 30mm rise bars to help. My next bike I will definitely be looking for that longer reach and chainstay. This made me realize my bike (Marin Hawk Hill XL) probably isn't the best frame for me.
Great video for taller riders. I’m 200cm and purchased a YT Jeffsy Pro Carbon this year in XXL. It has the highest level components in the lineup (I even upgraded to SRAM AXS), is super slack in the front with great balance fore/aft. After coming from a Cube Stereo it is night and day on confidence and comfort. Because it’s longer, manuals and wheelies are more of a challenge, but the climbing and descending is much better. The reason I mention the YT is that in the quick splash of additional bikes it wasn’t mentioned. However, it is a phenomenal value for the money and is a brilliant geometry for taller riders. Cheers.
Hey, I have a question. I'm currently riding a Cube Stereo 150 in XL, which is also my first Bike of the newer generation so I haven't got much experience on different bikes. What do you think makes the difference between the Stereo and your YT Jeffsy in terms of confidence and comfort? Does the longer reach of 25mm and lower Stack/seattube length etc. actually make that big of a difference? Also, did you alter your Cube bike in any way to fit you better? Would be interested in the problems/solutions you ran into with the Cube. Cheers and have fun with the new Jeffsy, looks great!
ahnunf Hey mate. So, the Cube I had was a 2015 version with the offset rear linkage. It caused MASSIVE BB challenges and I was burning through BB’s about every six months. I don’t think that (at that point) they really knew how to build a carbon MTB bike at all. Additionally, I could never get it as sure footed as I wanted as it was just too short of a wheel base. It was so frustrating that I too a year plus off of MTB altogether and just focused on the road.
After missing rides with my mates, I figured I would just go “all in” for the Jeffsy. It’s likely the last serious MTB I’ll ever buy as I’m a roadie first, but like the benefits of multi-discipline riding. The geo is more slack than the Cube and I’ve had zero issues with the comfort. The bike is really quite stellar descending AND climbing which is surprising. For a XXL, I’m very happy with the overall performance of it.
6'4 and 105kg, 29ers are the best thing to happen to mtbs for tall riders, ever. 26ers are just big BMXs to me now.
Yep
Interesting video. I definitely need to make some changes to my bike. Shorter stem, wider handlebar, move saddle forwards. Hopefully it will help to get rid of the pain in my shoulders and wrists.
Great vid Doddy, Im 1,92m around 90kg and riding an old Specialized Camber XL 2011 26" wheels, excelent all around Bike. But you convinced me to pass to 29", soon enough! Back pain, can be serious no doubt. So ajusted your Bike to your tall body and not the inverse. Have fun !! Vamospormas
Fantastic video! Cheers.
At 6' 5" it's only in the last couple of years that I've felt sat in the bike rather than perched on top like a frog sat on a matchbox.
S5 Kenevo @ 520mm reach
And an XL pole hardtail around the same.
Both are mega rides for us lankies.
Thanks Doddy! Super tips for a 6"7!
Great vid mate. I bought a Kona Remote Ctrl (2019) 510 reach, 485 chain stays, 1327 wheelbase. at 196cm this bike, being sized right for me, has changed my whole riding experience. Yes its a E Bike but size is size and my previous E bike a Merida was just too short.
Great video good advice. As for your mention of the Oval chain ring I found if your not running a good hub with tight engagement they feel terrible. Since I upgraded hubs it's a real game changer.
Excellent video 👌... Great tips for even a 6'4" guy like myself. Must share
Great Video!!! Thumbs Up!!
It's about time that larger riders get some inside tips. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Super helpful 👍🏻 Good on ye Doddy
Thanks Doddy for this video. Years ago when I started riding mountain bikes, 26" were the only options. I never felt comfortable on any bike until I purchased my first 29" HT in 2006, Gary Fisher Paragon. Good bike at that time. I feel the longer, lower and slacker geometry of the modern 29" bikes benefits the taller riders the most. I'm sure this wasn't the reason the bike industry started producing bike geometries like this, as a taller rider, at 6'4" I'm glad they do.
Really excellent information. I wish i had seen this video 2 Years ago - I was reluctant to buy a 29er bike because i thought it would be to sluggish and not very agile. I still like my 27.5 (Propain Tyee) though , but i swapped the Damper for one with lockout due to annoying squat and back pain , and that seems to work - So I did the right thing according to Doddy in this case !
Very good - Thank you for covering this so well! For a beginner/intermediate, whom I've tried a smaller frame size (L) but run into the wheelie issues uphill & with forward stem/riser I end up over front too much on step descents - maybe an XL frame & hopefully sit into the bike more.....time to play - thx again, very thorough
thank god, being 6'5 non of my munchkin friends understand my struggles
If you would consider me a friend, I can understand your struggles since I'm on the other end of the spectrum at 4'7 and I hate being stuck with kids bikes that have lower quality components.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA TINY
haha i am also 6'5 i can relate
6'6" here. Seems like the biking world is geared towards an average 5'10" 135 lb rider. Bikes that fit are hard to find, but clothes are even harder.
Wow thanks being 5’1 this really helped me a lot
would love to see a video about your ridding glasses choices/preferences :)
Took me 2 years to get the fit right on my xl size canyon strive 27.5".
Shorter stem and seat pushed to forwards made a night and day difference.
Next one on the list is upgrading from 150mm seatpost to something bigger.
This video has really helped my lower back. 🙏🤘🏼
Great vid! I found the Spec Enduro in S5 last spring - first bike I really felt home in. Many I need to check a Nukeproof for more trail bike....
Great vid! 🏆 Lotsa _key_ aspects covered and well explained.
At 6'4" i've had my fair share of "altercations" with the bike industr with varying results.
Next rig is gonna be a *29er* - gonna give it a shot!
First bike you might look half decent on, but don't go for too much of low, just the long and slack. If your pick will have very short head tube and seat tube, particularly with low top tube going towards the back, step away. Common issues as Doddy mentioned - too low front/handlebar, and from me - little room in front triangle for stuff, (while we really don't need a low front triangle), not enough seat post length might force you to go for 210mm dropper as first unnecessary upgrade. (example Marin Rift Zone 2020 - pick XL and you're pretty much guaranteed to have too short post length with that 43cm seat tube)
I went for conservative 2019 Trek Fuel EX7 and while I would enjoy a bit more agressive HT angle and more upright seat tube angle, a big spacious front triangle and long head tube with a LONG steerer too (22,5cm if I recall properly) gave me space for two 750ml water bottle and a front bag.... all inside of the front triangle.
A long 54cm seat tube STILL allowed me to put in a 210mm oneup dropper with 2-3cm to spare!
I guess I'd prefer a longer Pole bike, but from my previous 27,5 HT, this Trek was still about 30-35mm longer frame
Took me months of dedicated self-bikefit to find out what worker for me on my road bike. Frame and groupset are the only original parts left. Now ive started messing with my mtb. This video has come out at the perfect time.
As a 6ft 8 guy new to mountain bike, I thank you 🙏
I am a short Asian cyclist, but when I see any video advocating for folks to get bikes their fit and size, I click Like. Simply saves time, money and you (from body pain), in the long run. 😁
Cheers the best advice I’ve heard for the taller person. 6’5” and still struggling to be comfy
excellent vid. Will be trying a few of these on my Trek ex 8. also an xl, but I've been pondering upping from 130mm to 150mm upfront for a a while now
Thank You Doddy! As a 6'6" rider it is so good to hear advice that will actually help ME. Specially since I am starting the long search for a new bike. Now if we could only get the trail builders down here to trim the branches a little higher.
Did you ever find a bike? I'm 6ft 6inches tall too. I just bought a Whyte 629 V3. Very long. But I'm adding a 40mm rise bar. Hoping that solves any niggles.
Fellow 6'6" guy here. I'm looking for my first mountain bike but it's tough when we're this tall. What did you go with?
I now have a Trek Fuel EX. As well as my old faithful hardtail Trek Procaliber. I had to change the setup on each to make them work for me. Shorter, taller stem with small riser bars on the Procaliber. Hi rise Diety bars on the Fuel.
Yep. My brothers and I are all Doddy-sized. One of them has worn right through an All Mountain Style frame protection sticker on his Stumpjumper’s chain stay and is down to bare metal.
For me, going from a 26” XC bike to a 29” Trail bike has made a world of difference. Still a little lower back pain so perhaps I need more bar rise.
A god send of a video!
Cool video bro 🤘
Much needed video! Cheers Doddy, absolute life saver. Also any chance you could tell us what core exercises your doing for lower back pain??? I have the same issues with my lower back😣
I know exactly what you're going through. I always have the problem that my Road bike wheelies while starting from a stop even if im leaning to the front.