Struggling to get a mountain bike that fits.

[vickster]

Just try as many brands as you can, look at Evans, seek out Whyte (Cyclesurgery) etc

These guys close to Leeds look to have a wide choice of other brands

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/mountain-bikes-275

Or http://www.leedsbicycle.com/brands/whyte.php

Is there an issue with having lots of seatpost out? MTB frames often look small if they're the right size

 

[Spiderweb]

MTB frames are a completely different geometry to road bikes and they always have a large amount of seat post showing. It may look odd if you've never had an MTB but it's how they are.

 

[Sharky]

Don't be put off by having a lot of seat post showing. As long as it is within the min/max markings. One of my bikes has about 11" of seat post showing.

 

[vickster]

Hope you find something

Any Kona stockists closeby? Their MTBs are v good

 

[vickster]

Cyclesurgery have some different brands like Cube and Orbea usually. There are women Whyte MTBs

Evans, go in week if you can or get there at opening time. A sunny BH weekend will be busy

 

[Crackle]

Longer seatposts are available so long as the reach is right. Standover height, well I touch the top bar on my mtn bike and I've never had an issue.

Cube in particular have short top tubes of the makes I know, so I'd look at them and they are also well specced normally. With your proportions an actual Womens specific geometry may actually fit you.

 

[vickster]

Thanks, mens or womens either is fine as long as it fits and is'nt a silly colour.

What, like black?

 

[NorthernDave]

Have you tried a Boardman? There is a Cycle Republic on Infirmary Street in Leeds if you don't want to go to Halfords, and they still do the 10% BC discount. They're well made and generally well specced.

Mrs ND is of slightly smaller stature than you and very nearly bought one of their MTBs before plumping for a Carrera (her choice and it suits her needs perfectly).

 

[Pale Rider]

Can I raise the vexatious topic of wheel size?

As a simple point, the size of wheel makes no difference to the three points of contact - saddle, pedals, bars - when mounted on the bike.

But it can have an impact on standover height, and the general feel of the bicycle being the right size.

Cube alternate 650b and 29er with the sizes, last time I looked 18" was 650b and 19" was 29er, so Cubes might be worth investigating,

Or have a root around for the fewer and fewer brands still doing 26" MTBs.

Or mabe a 650b Plus wheel/tyred 'semi-fat' bike, not because there's anything particualry clever about them, but because the sizing/geometry might just suit.

 

[bonzobanana]

Diamondback do some crotch friendly geometries with a slight bend at the seat tube connection as well as lowered top tubes at the seat post end. You'd probably be better off with the former though for a serious off road bike. Worth a look at the range here;

http://www.diamondback.co.uk/MTB/ProductType/?pc=1&pt=10

I'm a big fan of the Carrera bikes though at Halfords. Great value and decent strong bikes too.

 

[Crackle]

I would imagine you would need a 14" frame or thereabouts.

 

[growingvegetables]

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/info/shop/leeds/? They were brilliant at sorting out a bike frame to fit my daughter

 

[Venod]

A woman in my club who is about your size rides a Giant Liv road bike and loves it, I think they do a MTB Liv range but not sure of the pricing.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

+1 for Cube. I think you can get an Acid from the previous year for your budget. Pretty high spec for the price. I got hold of one and it is a great bike.