how do you know if your bikes too big??

I just got a sick deal on a rocky mnt etsx 30 from last year. The bike is a practically mint condish 19". Only problem is it feels a little big ( Im 5 foot ten ). The only other bike Ive owned is a cannondale hardtail, approximate size unknown. The bike feels awesome going downhill fast or climbing upwards. But when I get into tight spots or need to corner fast on switchbacks the thing feels huge and awkward to control. I bike a lot, but Im new to tweaking bikes and techy shit to make them more manageable.

opinions and feedback are needed here. Do I sell the bike and get something smaller or can I tweak it to make it work?

When I bought my last bike I was told to stand over the top cross bar and lift the back tire off the ground until the cross bar hits your crotch. If I remember correctly you should get 1 to 2 inches of lift in off the ground from the back tire before you make contact. This may vary if you sack hangs unusually low.

Ive been told about the few inches of standover height, but it varies frame to frame and also The tob tube length I think is more important than standover height.

I got on the bike and pedaled for a while in front of a shop tech at the singletrack factory in denver, he said that it looked ok to him, that I had a square back or proper form or whatever. I wish I could take a pic of me on the bike, but I dont have one yet, or a dig camera either. Maybe I could get someone to take one of me soon to post it up.

What Im wondering is...are there warning signs that your bikes too big or indications or something??

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Originally posted by Grange
When I bought my last bike I was told to stand over the top cross bar and lift the back tire off the ground until the cross bar hits your crotch. If I remember correctly you should get 1 to 2 inches of lift in off the ground from the back tire before you make contact. This may vary if you sack hangs unusually low.

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You should have an inch or two of clearance if you're riding a road bike, 3-4" on a mountain bike.

What's your inseam? If it's 32" or more you should be okay. 19" center to top might be a hair on the larger side, but not unrideable.

I'm 5'10", about a 31-32" inseam and ride an 18" full suspension which feels about right. My 17.5" hardtail feels a bit small, but still good. It might be a bit on the large side, but like plakespear said, not unrideable. With a mountain bike, I would just go with how it feels.

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Originally posted by Telephil
I'm 5'10", about a 31-32" inseam and ride an 18" full suspension which feels about right. My 17.5" hardtail feels a bit small, but still good. It might be a bit on the large side, but like plakespear said, not unrideable. With a mountain bike, I would just go with how it feels.

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I am apparently TelePhil's identical twin brother (that skis.) I ride an 18" RM Slayer.

Tap's right. A shorter stem will help make it more manageable.

there is a rocky mnt dealer here in town, im going to head over there and get some feedback. I might have to buy a new frame and build it back up. Oh well. I hope I can make my $ back from what I just paid. Id rather spend some more dough and enjoy my summer riding than try to make do with a bike that feels too big.

Who knows. Maybe they can hook me up with a new stem and solve the problem. Cross fingers for me.

ok...they tell me that I have a long torso and short leg combo. They recommended I get a yeti 575 or similar bike with better standover clearance.

I stood over the 18" etsx and didnt see any difference except the top tube was shorter. Even on the 16.5 etsx my nads were touching the top tube. What the hell? Im 5 foot 9. Im not shaq but Im no midget either.

Help....

I've got a 17" yeti as-x, when I stand over the bike I get some nut drag. I'm an even 6 feet tall. I say you ride it for a few days and see if it's something you can get used to.

I'm the same height as you, and I just bought a 19" bike. At first I thought it was way too big, but then I had the shop swap different stems in and out a bunch of times and adjust the seat and everything and now the bike seems to work great for me. It took more than one visit to dial in the setting, and it could still use some work, but I no longer feel like the bike is too big for me.

edit: this probably won't help you, but I figured I'd throw it out there anyway.