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I polled the hive mind for advice a few months back for just how long a long, low, slack enduro bike should be...
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/how-many-reaches-long-low-slack-content/
After the usual dithering I seem about to settle on a new steed. It has many many more reaches than my existing 432 but is a mainstream answer to the long low slack conundrum rather than anything exotic or esoteric. I think this means I'm committing to tomorrow being new bike day. I've squared the VFM circle as best I can and have management approval.
For those of us who can't be bothered to search that nifty geometry website to find which bikes have a reach of 483mm, can you tell us what you're getting?
You're 6ft 2in according to the original thread, right? I'm 6ft 3in and weirdly, find my 495 reaches Vitus Escarpe XL a little too long, with an XL Canyon Spectral which has 482 reaches just about perfect, as well as an XL Cube stereo 140 with 478 reaches.
So, yes - 480ish reaches seems to be the perfect number for an all round, not too extreme, trail/light enduro bike.
For a full on enduro gnarpoon for winching up climbs and steamrolling downhill, I'd want 500+ reaches.
I’m a hair over 6ft, and I’m quietly confident that 475 reaches is the ideal number. Certainly better than the outgoing incumbent 437.8
I just choose the same number of reaches as Sam Hill.
I don't care that he's shorter than me
Because
SAM HILL!
I know an ML size Bird Aeris 145lt has a 481mm reach - so close to 483mm! I’m 5’9 riding one of those and I think it’s just a touch long for me.....but at 6’2 you’d find that fine - maybe even a touch short in the world of long / low / slack......
Only "reach" number I remember roughly: my Bossnut V2 has a reach of roughly 450 mm in size L (or ?)
The reach numbers of my other mountain bikes I don't know.
Very possible that I don't have an "optimum" reach bike so.
Too sad!
My trail bike has 465 reaches & my big bike has 500 reaches.
My average is therefore 482.5 reaches.
It was meant to be.
All together now...
For those of us who can’t be bothered to search that nifty geometry website to find which bikes have a reach of 483mm, can you tell us what you’re getting?
I've plumped for the 29er Norco Range (XL). First 29er. 150mm travel (160 Lyrik up front). Was looking at all sorts of shiny options and this presented itself as the more dull and meagre choice. Hopefully not too leaden.
Haha, keep your expectations low and you can only be pleasantly surprised, eh?
All together now…
chakapings reach song is only 4:17 long.
Not the optimum reach song so. Around 66 sec too short?
Orange Clockwork 129S here, reach...483.
Not the optimum reach song so. Around 66 sec too short?
Only in some sort of bizarre decimalised time system, it's only 257 seconds long.
And only contains 19 reaches.
However if those 19 reaches are imperial reaches then that converts to 482.6 metric reaches, only 0.4 reaches short of optimum reachyness!
Pretty sure my mk1 XL Smuggler is 483mm reach, what do I win? A reacharound?
However if those 19 reaches are imperial reaches then that converts to 482.6 metric reaches, only 0.4 reaches short of optimum reachyness!
Jesus - you are right!
The optimum number is 483 +/- 0.4
Imperial reaches ... haha
My riding mate is 6'6 and has convinced himself that his Commencal Meta XL is too short for him (reach of 482). He certainly seems to be further forward on the bike than me (5'9 on a medium Mega with a 435 reach). What do you lot reckon? He's looking at a Bird or a Geometron, but do you reckon he really needs to change?
JP
I can't remember what mine was originally. And then I reduced it a bit with a head angle thinger. And then I changed it again with some extra fork travel. But whatever number it is, I'm going to choose to believe it's optimal because I can't change it anyway
Another Aeris 145 ML here, so 481.
I’m 5’ 10” with a knackered right arm that doesn’t go straight but it feels perfect (or did after a bit of getting used to time).
I’ve never been so on trend!
My riding mate is 6’6 and has convinced himself that his Commencal Meta XL is too short for him (reach of 482). He certainly seems to be further forward on the bike than me (5’9 on a medium Mega with a 435 reach). What do you lot reckon? He’s looking at a Bird or a Geometron, but do you reckon he really needs to change?
JP
Yeah, at that height it's probably a bit short, I'd get him looking for well over 500 reaches and even more if its got a steep seat angle. Look for an ETT of 660 or more.
5ft 7in and my perfect number of reaches is still 460, but I would go to 483 for a long travel shred sled.
So yes, I think your pal's Commie is too short.
chakapings reach song is only 4:17 long
Cant beat a bit of S club! It's also the same length as my longest bike, or it might be 418mm thinking about it.
I'm 5'8 and in the last 2 years I've realised that shorter bikes suit me better and find them more comfortable. In that time I've changed all my bikes and gone shorter on every one.
Never mind the reach, is it purple? If not ... pffft
6'2' here and 468mm reach (wtf are reaches, made up measurement like tourques). Not tried anything longer but this feels pretty good to me. That said the trance 2 I hired on holiday also felt good at 446ish mm. That was a bit longer stem though.