Between Bike Sizes - Should I Size Up or Down? - Ibis Ripley - Women's Mountain Biking

Check out more of the bikes from Thunder Mountain Bikes' Rental Fleet:

Should I size up or down? Since I'm always right in between sizes, it's a question I've asked myself many times. It's not always a straight forward answer and I've owned smalls and medium frames over the years. Here are some of the considerations I make when choosing.

Gear I use the most:

Support the Companies that support Dusty Betty!

[magicunicorn]

As a beginning rider, I was worried my bike was too big because it doesn't like tight turns. After studying the video, now I realize the longer wheelbase length is what I need to adapt to. Changing frame size from medium to small probably wouldn't make that much difference at my stage of the game. But now I see what a huge difference demo-ing 2 bike sizes can make for higher-level riders. Thunder Mountain Bikes and the surrounding trails looks like a mountain biker's paradise. Loved your video!

[petertobey]

Nice video. Well done. I am between large and medium. I ride medium. Always test ride before making a choice. Go with what feels the most fun.

[johnnydoe]

It's amazing how a bike's geometry and size can change how a bike feels and handles. I had 5 different Hardtails that I was looking at and had test ridden. I literally had made a diagram of all the bikes overlaid in different colors of their respective geometries for comparison. Even though their geometry specs on my final two picks were relatively the same, riding them was truly the only way to actually determine which to choose.

[reusablesbykirsten]

I’m 5’4” with a 29” inseam and I went with a medium Ripley. I value stability as it’s my main bike other then my hardtail. I love it and have had it about a year. Recently swapped the fork for a fox 36 with 130mm travel which made it a bit more capable!

[mrvwbug]

Having demoed a Ripmo AF with an air shock, it had basically zero pedal bob, best tech climber I've ever ridden, perfect pedaling position for steep, techy climbs. Rock solid on the descent, but definitely more of the planted enduro bike feel vs poppy trail bike.

[barbbrazes]

Thanks!! I’m in between small and medium also! Appreciate your opinion!

[hondaxdood]

Very helpful video - height wise I’m usually between a S or M on the size charts. Can’t wait to see a review on the Ripley - the bike looks awesome!

[jessetter_snacks]

Super helpful! I am new to Mountain Biking and am looking for my first bike According to size charts I'm right between sizes and I think this was helpful to encourage me to size up.

[tomlevine]

Hi, great video. I'm 5-10 minus a bit, and always have ridden a large. I just build up a new bike with more modern/longer reach numbers, and chose the medium. It's reach and top tube numbers are similar to the large bikes I've had in the past. The only two places where I feel a difference are the relation to the saddle over the pedals; I feel like it have to move the saddle back a bit to get my knees over the pedal spindles. And the stack height-- since my saddle is a little bit higher on the medium, the bars (stack) feels a little low. I moved the bars up with a spacer under the stem and it feels much better. I agree with the flickiness/manueverablity comments you make especially with the newer bikes being longer and slacker. Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to do a side by side. I ride flowly single track and fire roads. I do a fair amount of climbing. I'm not a super aggressive descender.

[PiTaReX]

What you said about having one bike and better to size up, stability, etc!
~makes perfect sense ! Thx 🚵🏽‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴🚴🏾‍♂️🚵‍♀️🚵🏽🚵🏽‍♂️

[ArisaemaDracontium]

I love that Thunder Mountain Bikes has taken over the old Mountain Bike Heaven building. Lots of history there.

[allanridesbikes]

We love vacationing in Sedona. I think we'll have to check out that shop and rent some bikes on our next trip.

[walterbrown]

Great video. Would love to see comparison of air vs coil on the Ripmo AF

[ajstalter]

Great video about this topic! Nice job.

[noobmountainbikesdesert]

Adobe Jack was the first hike we ever did in Sedona. I can't wait until we come riding up there in the near future. Now I just need to get a decent bike for my wife.

[barbbrazes]

Probably more likely to size down to feel more nimble! Thanks!! Nice videos!

[stuartpilling]

Good to know about the bike rental situation, as I was suppsed to come over there and do the Grand Canyon camp ride with Western Spirit that you suggested this year, but along came Covid-19 and ended that dream for now. I will get over there eventually, and I probably won't be bringing my bike, so rental it is! I am in Brisbane Australia, by the way. We seem to have nipped it in the bud here for now. Doesn't look so good over there atm. Hope it improves soon.

[dolceitalia]

Love this vid! I have a small HT and a medium FS .. still not sure which size I prefer; think the small is faster but then being a HT, it’s a different ride altogether! Took me a few months to decide to get the FS in a medium and only used it a handful of times so hoping in time I’ll be thankful of my choice :)

[patseelyasi]

Great video! How tall are you and what is your inseam? I am currently torn between a small and medium Ripley with no demos available (Florida). I am 5’5 with a 28” inseam.

Also, have they done enough to the geometry to not worry about going with a 29er? I’m hesitant because I’ve only rode 27.5 and this will be my only bike.

[leeretaschen]

I’m always in between sizes. At 5’ 10” with a 60 1/2” wingspan (ape index of 2.5”), i’m consistently in between a medium and a large from most manufacturers. The bike I’m on now is a 2015 Chameleon in M which has a reach consistent with today’s extra smalls. As an old-school BMX’er and a hardtail guy I’ve been watching a lot of Steve’s videos. Probably going to give the current bike to the wife and get myself a Big Al or the new Chameleon in a proper size.