DH bike sizing

[Grrunk]

I recently bought a Kona Operator (small) online based upon measurements from my other bikes and what other people have said. I've ridden it half a dozen times at a resort and feel too close to the bar. The top tube is only 10mm shorter than my trail bike, but it's a very noticeable difference. Should I try an 80mm stem, slacker seatpost....or sell the bike and get a frame that truly fits. Thoughts? Thanks.

[mudtoy1986]

i would try either a longer stem or a taller bar

[bengxe]

Unless you're sitting down a lot on your dh bike, I would compare the reach measurement to your trail bike. I would guess its more than 10mm shorter in the length that actually matters.
I would try a longer stem, but 80mm sounds really long for a dh bike. What length do you have on there?

[aedubber]

Thats something i experienced on my Kona Operator as well , i always felt i was over the bars while riding , so i would really exhaust myself trying to keep back a little farther on the bike which later on messed up center of gravity for me .. Love the bike , just couldnt get fit into it properly .

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

IMO....kona tend to run small ....to buy a small you need to be under 5'5" or so

questions for you to answer............
how tall,
age
weight
what do you ride 80-85% of the time

[Grrunk]

I'm 28, 5'7 and 150lbs. The bike is used almost exclusively for park riding. I think I'll try to sell it, if I can't get a decent price I'll try a longer stem.

Thanks for the input guys.

[csermonet]

What length stem are you running right now? I would be inclined to say get a size larger frame, will pay off more in the end. Bigger frame sounds like it would fit you better and would be more stable at high speed due to the longer wheelbase a larger size would bring, which would be handy if you're a park rat

[ED young master]

I think a long stem (over 50's long) is a very very bad idea on a DH frame.
You should sell it with no regrets, then go for 1 or 2 sizes above.

Eventually fitting a short stem like this one (available in 15, 30 & 45mms)



NOVYPARTS - Potence Dh 15mm

[aedubber]

Damn you bought a small at 5'7'' ? LOL yea i can see why you felt cramped , i am like 5'9'' with doc martins and i felt a little cramped in a Medium.

[Grrunk]

The stem I'm currently running is 50mm. Yeahhh, I put the bike up on Craigslist and Pinkbike. Any takers? $1200, almost new.