Global-flat.com Board

English => General Flatland Forum => Topic started by: Charlie on October 15, 2014, 10:12:52 AM

Title: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Charlie on October 15, 2014, 10:12:52 AM
I consider myself to be a short guy. 5"4, 140 lb. I'm just starting to get into flatland and I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the advantages and disadvantages of being tall or short when it comes to learning and performing flatland tricks like the tail whip, infinity roll, hitch-hiker, time machine, etc.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Flatism® on October 15, 2014, 11:13:48 AM
I feel there is no advantages and disadvantages. See: Trevor Meyer
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: HighLander on October 15, 2014, 04:25:40 PM
You just got to find the right size frame for yourself. 
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: K.Wong on October 15, 2014, 06:16:33 PM
highlander is right, its mostly about getting the right frame, parts and setup right for yourself/ particular style of riding. don't follow trends- straight down-tube frames, super high bars 2 pc bars, ultra light or super heavy frame...etc.
that said, with the exception of st. martin and a few Japanese brands, short frames (18.2" t.t and shorter) seem to be on the wane.
 i find frames with steeper seat tube angle (more than 71deg) helpful.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Charlie on October 15, 2014, 07:40:58 PM
Well I’m glad to hear that because I was a little concerned about my height somehow making things a little more challenging and I do intend to get a shorter frame. Right now I’m looking to buy a complete flatland bike but I’ve checked flatlandfuel.com, dkbicycles.com, and some other sites and still haven’t found the right one. The DK Opsis, Ares APLUS, and St Martin Darwin seem like pretty solid bikes but their either out of stock or out of my price range. I’m only willing to spend around $300. You guys have any suggestions?
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: drtaylor23 on October 16, 2014, 04:32:07 AM
1. http://www.global-flat.com/mobile/shownews.php?ID=4272 (http://www.global-flat.com/mobile/shownews.php?ID=4272)

2. I just started riding a couple of months ago.  I came in hoping to get a flat specific bike for $300 too.  Was bummed to find out the Opsis was dead because I thought I had it solved in like 30 mins.  Weeks later  I managed $400, but that took some work.  I didn't give up and managed to get another bike for less, but it needed work and I was able to sell the first local.  Dumb luck all around.  The bikes cost a lot for good reason as it turns out.  Between that and that this sport is so damned difficult (so far, also fun) it's easy to see why bikes are scarce.  Where are you?  There's a KGB complete in CO and a Fly something or other in VA on CL right now for $200 that would do the job.  Staring down $650 for an Ares plus shipping and putting it together only to find out you don't dig it might be worth a drive.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: 2flat2furious on October 16, 2014, 07:46:34 AM
see: Japan.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Flatland-Cris on October 18, 2014, 02:48:34 AM
Im 5,4 too man ive rode between 18:25 & 18:75 tt's and much perfer the 18:75 ull find being a short arse like myself 2pc bars just dont work for trying to get the leg over youl benafit from a slightly higher saddle so ur not as strech when u grab onto it, this is all personal experience from being 5 foot f*ck all mate
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Flatgod on October 18, 2014, 08:25:31 AM
The general rule of thumb that I tend to follow is to allow myself ample room to fit over the frame on death trucks. Being 5' 6", I was never able to find a frame that was short enough to do this until just a few years ago, but I think I might have even shorter legs than most people at my height. Right now I'm riding an 18.25" top tube with a 12.5" back end.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Charlie on October 18, 2014, 08:04:46 PM
I appreciate all the advice guys. It’s really helpful hearing about other people’s experience especially when they are “5 foot f*cks” like myself. Since I can’t seem to find any decent bikes for less than $650 I’m thinking about just saving up to buy the Ares APLUS. The top tube is 18.5" so that should be short enough for me. Everything else looks good too but I’m curious about the weight. This bike weighs 26lb. Not sure if that includes the weight of the pegs but that probably doesn't matter. What are your preferences when it comes to weight?
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Flatland-Cris on October 19, 2014, 01:38:41 AM
Weights not as big a factory any more man if uve loads of cash you probably could get it down to 18/19 lbs, wheels will be the most noticeable weight change, you got a link to the bike or spec sheet?
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Charlie on October 19, 2014, 03:26:53 AM
Yea it’s gonna take a little while for me to save up for this bike but I’m willing to buy it if it does the job and I can’t find anything cheaper. Here’s the specs:

http://flatlandfuel.com/ares2013apluscompletebike.aspx (http://flatlandfuel.com/ares2013apluscompletebike.aspx)
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Flatland-Cris on October 19, 2014, 07:23:05 PM
Ripe the brakes off will be a tad lighter cut the excess seatpost n drill your pegs probably lighten it up abit looks a cool wee bike for the dosh!
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: SurfonFlatland on October 19, 2014, 10:20:40 PM
see: Japan.

This x1,000,000
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: K.Wong on October 19, 2014, 11:38:34 PM
the a-plus complete bike: if it uses the same frame as the aftermarket a-plus v.3 frame, its worth the asking price and going to be light after swapping out heavy and unnecessary components like: the gyro, related cables, cranks and pegs.

but I don't think it is.

 on the Aresbmx. com website, the seat post angle on the 'pro' aftermarket frame is 73.5 deg, while the complete bike has a 72 deg seat tube angle, the head tube is 74.5 deg vs 75 deg, chainstay length is 12.8" vs 13.5".

 plus the "pro" bike builted-up looks different from the a-plus complete, be wary.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Charlie on October 20, 2014, 03:33:45 AM
Those seem to be pretty subtle differences. Are these angles really something I should be concerned about?
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: 2flat2furious on October 20, 2014, 03:46:13 AM
If you're just starting out, no not at all.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: Charlie on October 20, 2014, 07:06:32 AM
Yea that's what I thought. I think this might be the bike for me. If anyone has used the Ares APLUS before let me know. I would love to hear your opinion.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: K.Wong on October 20, 2014, 05:59:55 PM
tj (2flat2furious) is right- you are new and stills exploring what works and what doesn't.
the a-plus complete bike has geometry which is very similar to the ay spear, 15th anniversary Ashura frame with maybe a slightly longer backend. my personal ride is the ay spear, which I have to say is one of the best  handling frame I've ridden.
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: polterdeal on October 22, 2014, 09:45:42 PM
I'm 5'6", ride an 18.4TT. Made tricks like back side walk-arounds easier to get up and over. I previously rode a 19TT, it was cool, but a bit too long for my short ass...
Title: Re: How does a persons height affect the difficulty of flatland tricks?
Post by: metalbmxer on October 24, 2014, 03:13:49 PM
i'm 6 foot and ride a 19.5" (was on 19" for years tho), but nonetheless, you can tailor your tricks to suit your height. I like to go for tall stretched out tricks like cliffhangers and deathtrucks that turbine and spin once you are all the way stretched out nice and tall. That being said, I think having a lower center of gravity is more beneficial to the physics of it all. But, does it affect how much fun you can have?! No way!!