[SebringMGB]

I'm 5-6, and I currently ride a small Gemini. I like the size of the bike and dont have any complaints, I just find that the place i have to put my seat (couch) to be a bit odd. if it isnt in this location, I find myself slipping off the back, or landing my ass on the tire when i ride in a comfortable position on a dh run. Im currently looking at getting an 05 Gemini dh frame, and I'm not sure if i should go medium. is this seat position a sign that I need a larger frame? or am I sitting too far back? or is it just a personal wierdness?

 

[Curb Hucker]

you should probably get a medium

 

[me89]

yeh i would say get a medium. im 6' 0" and have a 19" sgs and its probly going to be the perfect size for me but thats an abnormaly large medium. the geminis will be around a 17 or 18 and will fit you better. or i think there one of those sizes dont quote me on that i dont know cannondale there weird lol

 

[SebringMGB]

Id also be on the short side of 5'6". im concerned about standover, and the frame feelin too large when Im out on the trails. cant really tell in a parking lot test, and I dont know anyone with a medeum DH. Id rather feel like I do on my frame (perfect) than stretched out. Im not at all dissatisfied with the feel of my frame, just the seat position kinda makes me think, a medium might fit even better. Any of you out there my size? what frame size do you ride?

 

[azonicbruce]

I'm 5'6" myself. In fact, I JUST got that same bike. Is that an '02 Gemini?

I got one in the small size as well. Cannondale's small is supposed to be equivilant to a 16" frame.

When I had a Santa Cruz Chamleon I rode a Medium, but that was also equivilant to a 16" frame.

I prefer having a frame that would be a tad too small rather than a tad too big. I say see if you can borrow a medium Gemini and see if you like it better.

How's your frame holding up? Too bad mine appeared to have a crack from the get-go. Didn't even get to ride it once

 

[me89]

now are you sure you cant tell if a frame is to big for you in the parking lot. its not that hard if your having to work a little bit harder to get the bike to do everything its probly a little big. also talk to your lbs there normally pretty good about sizing then you can order your frame from your test and from theres. so u can be pretty confident on your size.

 

[azonicbruce]

I just noticed you Pushed your Vanilla RC. I was thinking of doing the same (if I get my shock back from Cannondale). How do you like it? Big improvement?

 

[SebringMGB]

its help up flawlessly under "correct" operation. I bought a used shock, and the person had installed a noleen spring that was a tad too short. so it was binding just after it hit the bottomout bumper. the extra stress caused the shock mount bolts to bend, and cracked the swingarm, after 2 weeks riding. got a new swingarm and spring, and its still truckin. As for the Push, Its a whole different shock. Id say ride one and see if you like/appreciate the impovement. and I gotta say, Push is a class act. I challenge anyone to point out a company with better CS. Its almost fun to deal with them to see how fast they work for you. Im looking forward to them opening up their fork department.

 

[radjockette]

Definitely get the medium frame. I rented a med at whistler with 888's and I am a girl at 5'5" and only 130lbs. I tore it up there. Hit the clown shoes drop, GLC drop, and all the other stuff. It handled well up at Garbanzo and in tight technical sections. I didn't have any problems with handling the med size.

 

[Kornphlake]

I'd suggest a different bike with a slacker seat angle. I found geminis to be a little steep for my liking, having the saddle that low I can't imagine that a larger frame would solve more problems than it would create. Maybe try a longer stem?

 

[buildyourown]

Most frames are designed for a seatpost with 2cm of setback. A regular Thomson has NO setback so seats often end up slammed back on the rails. Maybe try another seatpost. You don't have room for a Thomson laidback but a raceface xy would fit. Dh bikes should be judged on how they feel when you are standing. Since you never sit and pedal a DH bike, who really cares where the seat is. If the cockpit doesn't feel cramped, go with a small. Height is a really poor way to size frames since people of the same height can have different length limbs. ie, my GF is 5'6" and has monkey arms so she definitly needs a med.

 

[RhinofromWA]

I can let you ride my Rotec around and everybike after that will feel small Problem solved. I jsut made EVERY bike and size workable for you by letting you ride my bike.

Actually there are bikes that are taller, mUCH taller but The old school Rotec is loooong compared to what else is out there.

You will be able to ride any Gemini after this!

 

[Kornphlake]

my GF is 5'6" and has monkey arms

Taken out of context that could mean so many things.

A while back there was a big debate about frame sizing and how manufacturers should actually measure the downtube lenght as a more accurate frame size. Sure you can claim that when you're standing the seat dissapears from the equation but I can still feel a differance if the seat is slid forward or backward on the rails even though I'm standing, I still grip the saddle with my thighs, I balance stomache on it on drop-ins and I sit on it on flat sections. The saddle is still there and it's used even though you're standing up.

 

[RhinofromWA]

Taken out of context that could mean so many things.

A while back there was a big debate about frame sizing and how manufacturers should actually measure the downtube lenght as a more accurate frame size. Sure you can claim that when you're standing the seat dissapears from the equation but I can still feel a differance if the seat is slid forward or backward on the rails even though I'm standing, I still grip the saddle with my thighs, I balance stomache on it on drop-ins and I sit on it on flat sections. The saddle is still there and it's used even though you're standing up.

But that would be the Butt interface measurement and not a true TT measurement, right?

I made this during one of those such discussions for a better TT measurement for DH bikes. Because with an arbitrary change in the layback of a seat tube you have not chanes the TT length you have changed the seat relation to the BB. The "long" measurements on a laid back bike can still yeild short BB to Head tube space so your body is still in all reality on a short bike regardless of where that saddle is. All you do is push that saddle farther back away from the BB.....changing your butt interface.

See pic posted. This can be used for real world comparisions of bikes as most TT measurements are jokes and cannot be used in comparison.

Rhino

 

[Transcend]

hey man, keep with a small to get the proper standover and cockpit length. If you need more distance, get a nice thompson layback post and you will be golden.

 

[dw]

Do you have longer arms that force you back like that? What is the stem length that you are using? Do you ride over the front or do you find yourself wanting to get over the back?

dw

 

[Kornphlake]

But that would be the Butt interface measurement and not a true TT measurement, right?

I made this during one of those such discussions for a better TT measurement for DH bikes. Because with an arbitrary change in the layback of a seat tube you have not chanes the TT length you have changed the seat relation to the BB. The "long" measurements on a laid back bike can still yeild short BB to Head tube space so your body is still in all reality on a short bike regardless of where that saddle is. All you do is push that saddle farther back away from the BB.....changing your butt interface.

See pic posted. This can be used for real world comparisions of bikes as most TT measurements are jokes and cannot be used in comparison.

Rhino

I see your point and it's true if we rode around without seats on our bikes then it really wouldn't make a differance if the top tube were really long and the seat tube sharply angled. For some reason some times I don't feel comfortable until I'm behind my saddle, even if I'm riding XC and I want to jump or drop something with my seat high and the cockpit stretched out I'll force myself behind the seat. Maybe it's a psychological effect or something but I use the seat as a gage for where my body is positioned to an extent.

 

[buildyourown]

Taken out of context that could mean so many things.

That's just what I call someone with long arms. She has an incredible wingspan for someone who is 5'6".

Sebring, I would suggest trying a laidback post.

 

[SebringMGB]

The bike feels fine, height and all that is good. I'm not switching to a different frame, I like the gemini too much, and havent ridden any bike that feels better to me. Im using a direct mount stem with no risers. And as for the seat position doesnt really matter comment, You arent out of your seat ALL the time. and you need to land on your seat if you body cant take the impact of a landing, or a g-out. As for body structure. proportionatly, id say im long torso, average arms, short legs.

 

[evilbob]

I have watched you ride over this last season and I would recommend for you the Medium frame. You will gain a little stability which I feel would be good for you at the races next season. Based on the ability and potential you have displayed I would say it will take you about a week for the medium to feel normal to you, after that the small will feel cramped. It won't be so big that you can't flick the bike when you need to but it will eleminate some of the dirt naps I have seen you take. You need a little bit more axle to axle for the amount you move around. For you the small = less progress next season and the medium = will let you become the rider I think you are.