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Hi all
Am very keen on the new 145 but reading the tech data sheet for sizing, I haven't a baldy which one to go for. Seems a very long reach for the ML which is the one I was edging towards.
I'm 5'7 so theoretically should be able to ride a M or ML. I currently ride a 2012 Medium Orange Five and that fits perfectly, but I can also ride a large Santa Cruz Nomad with no issues. I do feel it has a bit of a longer reach which means I'm a teeny bit stretched but not uncomfortably. Looking at its spec though, it has a slightly shorter reach than the ML 145!
Ideally I'd go to the demo day at Hammers next week as that's the closest to me but stupid work is in the way. Cheeky question - would anyone in the York vicinity happen to have a M or ML 145 that I could sit on to try for size please?
Otherwise, what are people's thoughts on fit of the 145?
Many thanks, Claire
Obvious answer but give them a ring or email. Genuinely the most helpful people you can imagine. And get it spot on with sizing.
They are really good at sizing advice.
I would put myself at 5'10 right in the perfect ML zone, so perhaps steer you to the M, but Bird will know best.
The do seem pretty good in sizing based on measuring your current bike but considering the investment I'd not buy a bike (again) I haven't ridden.
Problem is they are doing this from your current bike which isn't necessarily ideal for you anyway. A 4 hour ride after you bought isn't a good time to work out you should have gone the other way (in terms of measurements) from your current bike.
Secondly I'd not (again) assume geometry... and how bikes feel though experience in this is you can tell in 10 minutes ...
It's easy for me to say as they are much closer but I'd honestly take a weekend out to go and visit them then take a test at Swinley and combine with riding current bike and even an alternative like hire one for 1/2 day as well.
I'm 5' 10" and got the ML. Its alot longer than my Bronson. I'd say a M for your height but like everyone else has said. Have a word with Dan and Ben at Bird.
I live in Lancashire and ride in the Lakes moslty but might(cant promise) do a Embsay or Ilkley ride soon if you want to try it.
Bearing in mind that what works for me is not necessarily right for anyone else...
I'm an averagely proportioned 5'8" and have the medium 145 - I am very happy with the fit, and that's with a 32mm stem, so would have scope to stretch further if I desired.
Obviously, as has been suggested the best thing would be to try a demo if you can.
I'm on the Aeris 120 with the ML size and 50mm stem
5'11 and it fit's me perfectly
Just building a 145 for the darling wife, and we went for the ML after demoing the old Large at Forest of Dean. It's about the same reach wise, the new large is bigger again.
She is about 5'8 or 9 with a long body and short legs, Same as Ben P apparently.
I've got a Large on order - 6' with shorter legs/longer body. Ordered it with a 35mm stem and putting an inline post on it but might go for a setback post to give a little more space. The numbers make you think it's a monster but it really isn't.
If you can't get to try a bird it might also be worth looking at an AirDrop edit - they are much closer to you in Sheffield than Bird are. I've spoken to them both recently and am interested in both bikes. Planning to test both and see which I like best (as well as a Nukeproof Mega).
I would say that the M is probably the better size for you. Im 5 10 and just been out for a 20Km spin on an M and its fine! It feels a bit more traditional for someone my height, but its still perfectly rideable. Also on a modern geo bike weighting the front wheel is really important, and being a woman you may tend to weight the bike more from the centre of your body and hips than the shoulders, which means a bike too long will tend to understeer into the corners more than you might like. I would probably go M and then get a 40 or 50mm stem to gain back that little bit of length in the ETT. You'll find you don't need to bully the bike about so much, without it feeling cramped. Also consider your bar width too. The wider you go, the shorter a bike you'll want, as the wider bars will pull you farther forward, again having an impact on comfort if the bike was long in the first place, but a good way to make a smaller size feel that bit bigger.
Reach wise both are fine. I don't go so much on reach for sizing as some, for me its determining more style of bike, as reach is part of a group of geo factors like wheelbase, seat angle and weight distribution, but the reality is when stood up you can generally fit anything as long as its not far too short or far too long, as you can move about on the bike. Sitting down fit is the trickier one to get right, as that can lead to unwelcome pain in the back and shoulders, wondering steering and other things that you can't so easily compensate for with a simple shift in body position.
Im often up and down the A1, and we're going to get a more permanent demo arrangement in the north very soon, but if you do have a free Tuesday > Thursday soon let us know and I will bring you up a bike to try.
Ben (from Bird)
North being.... south of me I'd imagine.
Depends where you are Bruneep (you're going to say Shetland now aren't you?)
Aberdeen 😉
Yeah, not [i]that[/i] far north 🙂
If its any consolation though our new demo fleet will be 4 hours closer to you 😀
Go on then where is this 8 hour round trip away from me?
Thankyou lots everyone! I do agree riding before parting with my dosh is preferable - bought a Giant Trance XLtd a few years ago which on paper and leg-over in the shop fit perfectly, but over the few years I had it was deffo too small. Great for bombing round tight corners though.
Anyway, Ben Bird I'll give you a buzz (work near Tamworth on a weekday so maybe could work something there too?) and Mr Linderley many thankyous for the offer but I reckon the Lakes would kill me with my lack of fitness at the minute! 😀
6' here, 33" inside leg. Just taken delivery of an M/L and it's absolutely spot on. Booked a test ride first just to be sure, but the Birds recommended that size for the test ride and they were right.
I'm 5'6" and test rode the medium last week, it was spot on size wise. The long reach combined with steep seat tube resulted in a very "normal" feel but worked well up and down.
I found the geo worked slightly better for me than the Edit, i was surprised how playful it felt especially when looking at the long, slack geo figures.
hi, I'm test driving a large 145 this Friday. I'm 6'1. Will report back. Looking fwd to it!