Size advice for a noob please

[Bro4adsword]

Hi all, first post here.
I've been (easily) persuaded by a pal to get a Merida emtb. I'm looking at an eOne-Sixty 500, and miraculously have found an XL in stock.
Question is, I'm 6'2" and according to the Merida sizing guide that's XXL! Really?
Would an XL just not be suitable?
Thanks for any info/steering in right direction.

 

[Tonybro]

I'm 5'10" on a Large so an XL is probably about right I would think but there is a science to this...

Torso length, arm length, leg length, etc...

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

[steve_sordy]

Get hold of the geometry table and compare with a bike that you know fits you.
I place great store in the Reach and Stack measurements, among others.

 

[Blokie]

Like Tony, I'm 5'10" and have an XL in the 140 which is equivalent to an L in the 160. I've got short legs and a long upper body, so my seat is only a few mm from at the lowest possible setting, and the reach etc is just about right.

As per Steve's advice, try to check the geometry (it's all on the Merida site) against something you know/have access to to be sure, but I'd have thought a "normal" proportioned 6'2" would probably be Ok for an XL.

 

[Bro4adsword]

Yes good idea.
The whole M L XL just seems a bit arbitrary to me. Even the frame size, 20" etc. I can't find anything in the geometry picture that matches 20"!
Id just go and try it but it's 300 miles away and there are so few bikes around that I can't be choosy at all!

 

[D3xt3rMTB]

Picked up the e160 today in XL so this is only a first ride impression. I'm 6ft6.

Did a 25mile ride on mix of trail/cyclepath this afternoon. Initial thoughts are that sat down pedalling is pretty much fine. There's loads of extension on the seat tube at 170mm on the XL so no problem there and I'm pretty long legged (35" inseam). Reach to bars when sat is good (top tube is a reasonable length) and the front of the bike is pretty tall so even with the seat high I didn't feel I was leaning forwards and putting pressure on the shoulders - rode for close to 2 hrs non stop and no shoulder/neck ache at all. When standing on the pedals I would like a bit more rise on the bars so I'm going to put a 40 or 50mm riser bar on (think it's 20mm as standard).

The only figure that really concerned me from the on paper spec was the reach at only 480mm but again think it will be fine. It's not up to the really long geo's that you can get now but my Enduro bike is only 493mm so not a huge difference. Heading for some proper trail/DH runs tomorrow so that should give a better feel but not concerned about it.

 

[Bro4adsword]

Like Tony, I'm 5'10" and have an XL in the 140 which is equivalent to an L in the 160. I've got short legs and a long upper body, so my seat is only a few mm from at the lowest possible setting, and the reach etc is just about right.

As per Steve's advice, try to check the geometry (it's all on the Merida site) against something you know/have access to to be sure, but I'd have thought a "normal" proportioned 6'2" would probably be Ok for an XL.

I completely missed the fact that

Picked up the e160 today in XL so this is only a first ride impression. I'm 6ft6.

Did a 25mile ride on mix of trail/cyclepath this afternoon. Initial thoughts are that sat down pedalling is pretty much fine. There's loads of extension on the seat tube at 170mm on the XL so no problem there and I'm pretty long legged (35" inseam). Reach to bars when sat is good (top tube is a reasonable length) and the front of the bike is pretty tall so even with the seat high I didn't feel I was leaning forwards and putting pressure on the shoulders - rode for close to 2 hrs non stop and no shoulder/neck ache at all. When standing on the pedals I would like a bit more rise on the bars so I'm going to put a 40 or 50mm riser bar on (think it's 20mm as standard).

The only figure that really concerned me from the on paper spec was the reach at only 480mm but again think it will be fine. It's not up to the really long geo's that you can get now but my Enduro bike is only 493mm so not a huge difference. Heading for some proper trail/DH runs tomorrow so that should give a better feel but not concerned about it.

Great. I'm 6'2" so I'm going to go for an XL e160 too.
What model did you get? 300,500,700 etc?
That's my next dilemma!

 

[Bro4adsword]

Like Tony, I'm 5'10" and have an XL in the 140 which is equivalent to an L in the 160.

I completely missed this fact on the website. I did the size guide for the 140 and assumed the 160 was the same. So thanks for pointing that out.

 

[D3xt3rMTB]

I completely missed the fact that

Great. I'm 6'2" so I'm going to go for an XL e160 too.
What model did you get? 300,500,700 etc?
That's my next dilemma!

Got the 8000. Not because of any particular preference for a carbon frame but it was pretty much all that was available. On plus side it had the right rear shock I wanted (DPX2) as it can cope with the higher PSI I have to run.

 

[Bro4adsword]

A friend of mine has the 8000 and loves it but it's above my budget.
I've found the 500 at a store that offers 10% of the price of the bike for free. Quite a good deal I think. Unfortunately they don't have the 700.

 

[Sheeny10]

I have a Medium and I’m 6feet , no problem at all
No body pains , IMO a smaller bike is better as you would have more control of the bike

 

[Bro4adsword]

Does the Merida website recommend a Large for you for the 160?

 

[Sheeny10]

Merida states large , I tried my friends medium specialised and that was ok , so I got a medium Merida and it’s perfect

 

[Bro4adsword]

Hmm, not sure now. I tried an XL turbo levo comp and that seemed OK but I only rode it for 5 mins. It has a 480mm reach which is identical to the Merida 160 XL. So I'm hoping it'll be OK.
And I guess if I really don't like it they'd always the option (and pain) of sending it back.

 

[Sheeny10]

An XL will be fine for you , enjoy it ,
Be careful in the rain , I don’t think the controller likes the rain

 

[Bro4adsword]

Lucky I live in Scotland then, it never rains here. Oh no, wait..

 

[Bro4adsword]

Tried an e160 8000 today in Large and it was perfect, also at a £500 discount (£5500) which is amazing for a 2021 model. Looking at the geometry the Large in the 8000 equates to an XL in the 700.

I now have the dilemma of is it worth the extra couple of hundred £ to get a carbon frame??

 

[Steve38]

Just for anyone else who is interested I'm 5'7" (168cm) and riding a Small e160

With the 150mm dropper seatpost fully slammed / 165mm Cranks I'm comfortable with the pedal stroke / leg extension

Any bigger and I would struggle

 

[Bro4adsword]

I went for the e160 700 Large in the end. Its great, a good fit. I have the seat post about 3 cm up so all good. (I'm 189cm or 6'2.5" with average legs/arms)

 

[iscander13]

Just for anyone else who is interested I'm 5'7" (168cm) and riding a Small e160

With the 150mm dropper seatpost fully slammed / 165mm Cranks I'm comfortable with the pedal stroke / leg extension

Any bigger and I would struggle

Hi could you post some photos how your e160 looks in s-size? Thanks

 

[Steve38]

Hi could you post some photos how your e160 looks in s-size? Thanks

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Post # 5568

 

[iscander13]

Most recent photos posted on emtbforums here

Pic of the Day

How could you check for bubbles with a jacuzzi bath? 🤪 I inherited the bath, only tried the jacuzzi thing once since pressing the button had the effect of draining all the water out which I thought was odd until I looked over the side & saw where it had gone.

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Post # 5568

Thanks. that is s-size? You are using 125 мм dropper post?

 

[Steve38]

Thanks. that is s-size? You are using 125 мм dropper post?

Hey

Yep, Size S
Comes with 150mm Dropper as Standard

The 'Find Your Size' calculator on the Merida website puts me squarely in the middle of the Small size range at 168cm height

As noted in my post above however, if you're shorter than this and have shortish legs like me you might struggle with seat height unless you swap over to a 125mm dropper

Otherwise the bike 'fits' me really well
I don't feel cramped or stretched out or too on top or too into the bike
Goldilocks fit for me

 

[Steve38]

Did just notice that the 2022 model spec shows a 125mm Dropper for Size S

Whereas the 2021 model is slightly different

 

[iscander13]

Did just notice that the 2022 model spec shows a 125mm Dropper for Size S
View attachment 73804

Whereas the 2021 model is slightly different
View attachment 73807

thanks. That was my concern. Also i noted that in 2022 merida will use 165 mm cranks