I’m 6′3 and pretty long arms and legs. Several people told me to get the XL but is this too big? I test rode an xl enduro specialized 07 bike and it feels about right. I think I may tower over the large. I ride up the mountains and then downhill the switchbacks, roots, clifff trails, etc… Is the Large a better bikek for the trails because of the tighter wheel base and lower center of gravity or the the XL a better fit and thus more important?

Also, what body chest armour and full face carbon helmet is good? Something that is not too hot for the carbon full face helmet and chest armor.

I am 5′-11" and am usually comfortable on large mountain bike frames. That said, I’ve ridden a few comfortable mediums. Personally, I like to feel as if I am within the bike moreso than on top of it. (If that makes any sense.)

I wouldn’t worry about the performance of a large vs XL based on frame geometry and proportions. The differences in performance are going to be pretty minimal. The most important thing is that you are comfortable riding the bike. From personal experience, I can tell you there is nothing worse than a poorly fit bike.

The best advice is to ride both a large and an XL and see which feels better given the kind of riding you want to do. By riding, I don’t mean taking a 10 minute spin around the bike shop’s parking lot. Take a good long ride on each and see what works best on the trails you ride.

Hope this helps.

The bike is a Rock Hopper, only front shocks..has a 21" frame, Mantou forks, good to great condition, with tire pump on frame, bottle holder, quick release foot peddles. It was new in 2002, paid about 650.00.

I had a 2000 rockhopper pro, with lx/xt avid sd’s and manitou fork, that I bought new for 650. I traded it and $1000 cash for an ‘02 stumpjumper. it was a great bike, but like I said, I paid $650 new. the rockhopper pro from 2000 had an msrp of $900. incidentally, I had a 21" frame, but found the geometry a bit large, and I’m 6′2". if you paid the $650, you paid too much. if that was what the seller paid, it sounds more reasonable. given the age of the bike, I’d offer $150-200..

I have spent hours looking at online reviews and have short listed epic and stumpjumper. I ride my saracen mantra 1 to work (10km) its dam heavy( 2.3” tyres) feels like a land Rover.
Also please recomend a website or a shop around east Anglia, UK.
a very BIG THANKS in advance.

You should really consider going to Evans Cycles and looking at the Pinnacle range. They have Specialized, but when you compare Specialized to Pinnacle for price and value, Pinnacle will win. Do yourself a favour and check them out.

I own a Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike and I’m looking at changing out the crankset. It is a 24 speed bike and the only thing I’ve changed out is the pedals to a Shimano set.

I am not sure what crankset will work with my bike or how to determine what the gear ratio is. I’d like to possible go with bigger gears in the front as I never use 1st gear on my current bike.

I wouldn’t bother with changing the crank set. I don’t use the first gear on my bike either but its there for when I do need it.

Which of the formentioned bikes would be the best to buy? I ask because they all seem to be good bikes in my price range. Also waht about GT mountain bikes? any good?

If you can get the Hardrock in the disc version, then it’ll be the best. Also try Haro, they should have something in your price range.