I am considering purchasing the Fantom comp DS full suspension, but am unsure of the size to get. I am just under 6' and have a standover of 32.5-32". I emailed bikes direct and they said probably the 18", but I looked at my diamondback hardtail and it is a 20. I looked at the geometry and really can't come to any conclusions. Is it better to get a smaller frame and perhaps get a longer stem if needed? Any opinions are welcome thanks.

It depends upon your riding style. Being just under 6' tall with a standover height of 32 - 32.5", size 18 should be good. That should put your in a semi-upright position. If you like aggressive riding, you can replace the stem and use a longer one with zero degree rise, use a flat handlebar and move your seat back a little. In no time, you will know the riding style that suits you best but a medium size bike is a good place to start.

thanks so much for the reply. I should have mentioned that I like riding a little more straight up. I have had some people suggest the 20 and some the 18, any fantom comp or elite frame owners want to let me know what size they have and their height and standover, so hopefully I can make the best decision. I looked at the geometry and the top tube length is only 23.5, with a standover of 30.5 for the 20 which is similar to several 19 -18 inch frames I have looked at. Then I read a review saying that the motobecanes fit big so if your btwn sizes go for the smaller? Opinions, please help.

I have an impression that you are buying the bike online. If not, your LBS can help you with sizing. Even if you are buying it online, go to your LBS first and get sized up. Ask for a test ride on the 2 sizes. That will help you decide which bike and size fits you best. DO NOT buy one without test riding. That is the biggest mistake of most consumers. Even if you are buying the cheapest entry level hardtail bike in the market, you should test ride it first to make sure it fits you well. Last thing you want to do is buy one that doesn't fit right and you will not be happy with.

hey man if you'd like i'd be glad to give you some measurements off my 18" comp ds...that way you can compare them to your diamondback...i cant really give you angles, but i can give you standover height with the 110mm fork i'm running, and top tube length, and cockpit length with my 110mm stem...if you want lemme know, and i'll post em up...but for what it's worth, i'm pretty much the exact demensions you described, and my bike fits me perfect...the 20" is too big that's for sure...let me know and i'll get you the measurements...

Yeah definitely, I have heard several different opinions. But after reading some of your previous posts, it sounds like you have some experience sizing these bikes. I was this close to getting the fantom comp ds and then have been torn up about it because of all the back and forth stuff I have seen on these forums, but at least knowing I would be getting the right size would help. thanks much.

alright well here's the measurements...18" frame, 108mm stem length (center of bar, to center of steerer tube) and a Marzocchi Drop Off Comp fork, with 110mm travel...

Seat tube length (center of BB to center of top tube) 16"
(center of BB to TOP of seat tube) 18.75"
Effective top tube length (center of head tube, to center of seatpost, along horizontal) 23.75"
Actual top tube length (center to center) 22.25"
Cockpit length (center of handlebar, to middle of saddle) 28"
Standover (mid way along effective top tube length, measuring top of top tube, to ground) 31.625"
BB height 12.25"

hope this all helps..i know one thing i was really big on before i bought my frame, was the proper top tube length...so before i had a chance to ride one, i compared geometry charts from the moto, to the 18" kona i was riding at the time...at first i didn't want the moto b/c the top tube length on the moto website said 22.5....and on the kona website, mine said 23.2...so i didn't wanna take a cut in top tube length, but then after riding one, and finding it actually fit me, i discovered that moto measures there top tube ACTUAL length, and kona measures there's EFFECTIVE....it would be great if you could ride one first, but i without a doubt can say that this bike fits me well, and i'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam...trust me, you wont be dissapointed!

wow, thanks for all the help. Seriously, thanks for taking the time to get all those measurements, I wish I would have known the difference between the effective and center to center as I was in the same boat as you. I looked up the top tube length on my giant iguana and diamondback and they were both like an inch or more longer then 22.5 so I was a little apprehensive when they told me 18. Now it makes total sense, I thought there possibly was a difference but couldn't find anywhere that explained it. So you really think I will like the fantom comp ds? I have been way overanalyzing this decision, (ibex asta, fantom, jamis XC comp 2004) for like 2 weeks, and need to just get something. I have seriously almost ordered the fantom like 4 times and then second guessed myself. :madman: How has yours been holding up?

wow, thanks for all the help. Seriously, thanks for taking the time to get all those measurements, I wish I would have known the difference between the effective and center to center as I was in the same boat as you. I looked up the top tube length on my giant iguana and diamondback and they were both like an inch or more longer then 22.5 so I was a little apprehensive when they told me 18. Now it makes total sense, I thought there possibly was a difference but couldn't find anywhere that explained it. So you really think I will like the fantom comp ds? I have been way overanalyzing this decision, (ibex asta, fantom, jamis XC comp 2004) for like 2 weeks, and need to just get something. I have seriously almost ordered the fantom like 4 times and then second guessed myself. :madman: How has yours been holding up?

well i dunno if you've looked at my other posts, but there are pics of me somewhere around here dropping some boardwalks that are about 4-5 ft to the landing.....a couple that are 3ft to flat, and some ok jumps in a rythym section....oh yeah, and i'm 230lbs....so yeah it's holding up....i'll just tell you the same thing i tell everyone....use the bike for what it was intended for...not for doing anything more than 2-3ft drops, and it should easily last a long, long time....if you want a bike with enough plush travel to ride all day long, then this is it...i prob push my bike a little harder than i should, but then again, it's a rarity that i do stuff that tall...i will tell you that the problem with a jamis frame, and they way they design their suspension, it doesn't like to fit on a bike rack that holds the bike under the top tube....same with the asta....they have the shock horizontal under the top tube...also the jamis is kinda between sizes for me....i felt like a 17 would be too small, and a 19 would be too big....honestly the choice is yours, and you prob wont be dissapointed which way you go...oh one other thing, i did read in a magazine review that the asta had kinda a short cockpit length....so that might be a concern if you like a longer top tube...again, i dont know how the measurements compare to the moto....i know the big thing around here is that moto has "bad customer service" and crap like that, but i've met the guy who owns moto, and he's a really customer focused guy..so all i can say is that if you DO have a problem down the road, that requires a warranty claim, i would be very persistant, and always follow up and stuff like that....but if you use the bike within its means, you shouldn't have that problem...well good luck, and deffinatly keep up posted on how it all works out! peace!