90's MTB sizing question?
05-04-24, 08:57 AM
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90's MTB sizing question?
What would have been considered a large-EX large frame size in a 90ish non suspension MTB. I'm 6'2 and usually ride a 58cm or 60cm road bike. I rarely see any 23-24 inch MTB's.
05-04-24, 10:29 AM
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typically > 19 C-C … ? …but recall some frames were avail in 21” …
don’t recall larger than 21 - but they might have been produced … ? …
???
don’t recall larger than 21 - but they might have been produced … ? …
???
05-04-24, 12:05 PM
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Bigger ones are definitely harder to come by but they are out there I have a few 22"'s Peugeot '86, Shogun '1990?, Specialized '89 & some 21"'s Cimmaron, Peugeot '87.
Early Trek MTB's came in 24" frame sizes and so did Specialized.
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...ll-Terrain.pdf
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...age13.jpg.html
Early Gary Fishers came is 23" & 24.5" https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...s2+75.jpg.html
I would say 21"- 22" should be fairly easy to find, bigger than that becomes a hunt. By the 90's 22" seemed to be the biggest size offered for most frames, by most companies. Specialized seems to cap at 21.5" by '92 fishers biggest size was 21.5" https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...1992fisher.pdf Trek continued to offer the 830 in 24" but not the higher models?
Early Trek MTB's came in 24" frame sizes and so did Specialized.
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...ll-Terrain.pdf
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...age13.jpg.html
Early Gary Fishers came is 23" & 24.5" https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...s2+75.jpg.html
I would say 21"- 22" should be fairly easy to find, bigger than that becomes a hunt. By the 90's 22" seemed to be the biggest size offered for most frames, by most companies. Specialized seems to cap at 21.5" by '92 fishers biggest size was 21.5" https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...1992fisher.pdf Trek continued to offer the 830 in 24" but not the higher models?
05-04-24, 01:23 PM
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18 or 17 was medium until dropper posts. Plus two per size.
In the 1990s seat tube length sizes went down an inch as top tubes got tilted up to clear suspension forks.
In the 1990s seat tube length sizes went down an inch as top tubes got tilted up to clear suspension forks.
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-04-24 at 01:26 PM.
05-04-24, 03:31 PM
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How would a 21" 90's MTB equate to a 58cm and 60cm road-touring bikes? I ride a 60cm Surly LHT with seat slightly lower than bars and several 58-60cm road bikes with seats slightly higher than bars. I am thinking of building a drop bar bike out of an old aluminum Trek MTB. I have found a couple 21" bikes.
05-04-24, 04:35 PM
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Like any bike you need to ride it to find out if it will fit. I can say well the Blah Bike Co. Widget 1.0 in size 21" from 1992 would be a great fit for x-size. It could be similar to a 60cm it could be off because every brand has their own geometry and such.
05-04-24, 04:41 PM
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Most bike sizing charts seem to equate 58-60 cm Road bikes with 19-21" Mountain bikes. Those same charts would also put someone 6'2" on a 60-62cm road bike & 21-23" mountain bike. Your experience knowing you like 58-60cm should then jive with the 19-21"? Top tube length also factors in, a lot of the mountain bikes had long top tubes and long stems. I have bikes that the seat tube is too short by a bit, but the reach to the bars still feels long. I still feel like bike fit is more alchemy than science. I tend to ride bikes on the bigger end of what is suggested, looks like you go on the smaller side.
As @veganbikes says above, these are really just (somewhat arbitrary) guidelines, Nothing beats a test ride!
As @veganbikes says above, these are really just (somewhat arbitrary) guidelines, Nothing beats a test ride!
Last edited by SoCaled; 05-04-24 at 04:52 PM.
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05-06-24, 04:43 AM
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As stated above, ride it first. i'm 6'1'with a 34" inseam and fit on 90's XL bikes nicely. IMO, reach is a more important consideration especially with age, but even that is adjustable with stem length and bars.
Last edited by 2old; 05-07-24 at 07:45 AM.
05-06-24, 05:23 PM
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I'm 5'10" and a 21" framed mtb is about right for me. I ride a 56cm and 57cm road bike. I converted an inexpensive 19" rigid Diamondback into a touring bike. I can ride it, but the top tube is noticably short which makes it feel slightly awkward when I first get on it. I'd use it more often if I felt better on it. Hold out for something in your frame size, it'll be worth the wait.
