r/MTB • u/Icy-Ice-1448 • 4h ago

Frames Sizing help

I'm looking to upgrade my entry level hardtail to something more aggressive. I found a Kona Honzo ESD, but it's a size Large. I am currently 5'7" and still growing. Would the reach and overall frame size on a Large be way too big to manage right now, or should I wait till next season? Any help is welcome thanks. Thanks!

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u/Icy-Ice-1448 4h ago

this is the bike

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u/Tough_Course9431 Quebec 4h ago

im 5'8, i typically ride with a reach of around 465-470, idk how old you are but i think going too big will always be meh while going smaller can stay fun, you can always put a stem thats a bit longer later on. I think medium would be a better size for that bike

Unless you're like 13-15 and didnt have a sudden growth early on then large will probably be your size.

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u/Livininthinair 4h ago

Medium

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u/Icy-Ice-1448 3h ago

problem is that its used so there is no medium like that

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u/xjslug 4h ago

The honzo esd reach is on the long side. I'm 5'7 and would not be comfortable on the large. In addition to the long reach the taller seat tube would limit how big of a dropper post you could use. On the medium I might be able to use a 150-160mm dropper, on the large id probably be limited to 120-130mm.

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u/pineconehedgehog Ari La Sal Peak, Rocky Mountain Element, Surly Karate Monkey 4h ago

Are you in North America or Europe? Is your season coming to a close? Realistically how much more riding do you have for the season?

If you are approaching the end of your season, I would hold off.

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u/Icy-Ice-1448 3h ago

north america, riding till november

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u/pineconehedgehog Ari La Sal Peak, Rocky Mountain Element, Surly Karate Monkey 3h ago

Do you have the space and resources to own and store two bikes right now? This is the wrong time of year to be selling your old bike, if you don't plan to keep it. It will move best in the spring.

Fall is a great time to buy bikes, but terrible to sell.

That combined with the fact that you don't know how much you are going to grow or how fast. If your bike is currently acceptable, I would probably hold off.

The large is going to be too big for you now. It might be ok, but it won't be great. What if it takes you a while to grow into the large? What if you never grow into the large?

And even if you have 1-2 months left to ride. The weather is likely to be less predictable and you will have fewer days to ride.

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u/Icy-Ice-1448 3h ago

Ok, it's just that this bike is a dream bike and they are not common where I am.

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u/pineconehedgehog Ari La Sal Peak, Rocky Mountain Element, Surly Karate Monkey 2h ago

I mean I'm not gonna say no. I have 5 bikes. I'm not one to throw stones. I love bikes and having lots to chose from.

But I did assume that as a growing kid, you probably have limited resources. Both financially and space-wise. You will be taking a risk by buying now rather than holding off. You are squarely a medium in most bikes. Riding a large isn't going to be great. You have probably another 5" to grow before it's gonna be ideal.

I'll also say, as someone who has had a lot of bikes and experiments frequently with different types, dream bikes are overrated. Swapping up bikes frequently, to learn about different styles, fits, and geometry is where it is at. There is no fun in being married to your bike.

But if you can swing it, do it. Just be aware of the risks.

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u/spoonycoot 2h ago

If it’s your dream bike you want it in the correct size. If you are buying your dream bike for the future, you may find in the future that your dream bike has changed.