Help sizing for new Rize line

[acurcione]

I thought I had figured out what type of bike I wanted to get and then I rode a Rad Rover and liked it way more than anticipated. So did my wife so we‘ll be getting 2 bikes now instead of one!

Anyway… Rize was on my radar, but I wasn’t considering their fat tire bikes per se. Now I’m looking at a Leisure step through for my wife and I’m in between the Leisure and the Rize X. Leisure is a 17” frame, X is 18.5”. I like a relaxed or fitness riding position normally and had that with several Trek hybrids over the years. I found the Rover (which was the 5 - not sure why the guy gave me that over the 6 plus to try) made me feel kind of squished once in the saddle.

Now my figures - I’m 5’11” with a 31” inseam. The stand over heights on the two bikes are 29” and 30”, respectively. The X definitely looks like it can have an aggressive position, but also has an adjustable stem.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[theemartymac]

I haven't seen anyone post up the new 2021 Rize models yet, as they are different this year. I have 2 from last year (Rize X and RX Pro), and they are big-framed. I'm 6', also with a 31" inseam, and there is not a lot of room to spare. I wouldn't have suggested one to anyone shorter than maybe 5'-8" for sure, or 5'10" if you want a suspension seat post. With the Suntour suspension seat post on my X, I only have 1" of post showing. The RX Pro from last year had a very slight lower stand over height, but only another inch and a half or so.

But I love the room in the cockpit so to speak. Very generous, and plenty of space to customize. I added a 2" up and 12 degree backsweep handlebar, and now it's very comfortable and upright. The stock bars would have been great though for fitness riding and/or light off-road.

And I've heard the rovers are small from several people.

 

[theemartymac]

I thought I had figured out what type of bike I wanted to get and then I rode a Rad Rover and liked it way more than anticipated.

And there was a time that the Rover 750w was really only a 500W motor (Core) with a slight controller tweak. Make sure that's not still the case. The Rize X is a solid 750, and has a torque sensor now. That is a big improvement in my own experience. My X is PAS only, and my RX Pro has a torque sensor. Much better with the TS.

 

[acurcione]

And there was a time that the Rover 750w was really only a 500W motor (Core) with a slight controller tweak. Make sure that's not still the case. The Rize X is a solid 750, and has a torque sensor now. That is a big improvement in my own experience. My X is PAS only, and my RX Pro has a torque sensor. Much better with the TS.

Thanks. I’ve been going back and forth for weeks and never considered the Rad line too much. We just happened to be in Seattle on a trip so we went down to the showroom to get a feel for the difference between a wider tire and a more standard hybrid size. Definitely leaning towards the X for me. I think the geometry may suit me better.

 

[tommybgood]

I thought I had figured out what type of bike I wanted to get and then I rode a Rad Rover and liked it way more than anticipated. So did my wife so we‘ll be getting 2 bikes now instead of one!

Anyway… Rize was on my radar, but I wasn’t considering their fat tire bikes per se. Now I’m looking at a Leisure step through for my wife and I’m in between the Leisure and the Rize X. Leisure is a 17” frame, X is 18.5”. I like a relaxed or fitness riding position normally and had that with several Trek hybrids over the years. I found the Rover (which was the 5 - not sure why the guy gave me that over the 6 plus to try) made me feel kind of squished once in the saddle.

Now my figures - I’m 5’11” with a 31” inseam. The stand over heights on the two bikes are 29” and 30”, respectively. The X definitely looks like it can have an aggressive position, but also has an adjustable stem.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I demoed a Radrover a while back and really enjoyed it as well. I was very surprised at how well it pedaled considering it has a cadence sensor. Instead of lurching forward, power ramped up very smoothly. Why can't more manufacturers offer similar performance?!?

As far as sizing, the rad is supposed to have a 30.5" inseam, so the top bar definitely did "touch my body" (as rad puts it) when standing over it (I have a 30" inseam).

I suppose I could get away with sneakers with a bit higher heel, but yeah, I did find it to be a minor concern among many positives.

 

[AHicks]

Rize and Rad both have all new models that nobody state side has seen first hand or ridden yet to my knowledge.

I ride pavement mostly, and the 4" fatty plan didn't work out well for me. I found I MUCH prefer the tire sizes under 3". That said, RAD sells a LOT of Rovers.....

Last, the fat bikes tend to be huge. The tires are similar in size to a 29'er if you're familiar there.

 

[acurcione]

Rize and Rad both have all new models that nobody state side has seen first hand or ridden yet to my knowledge.

I ride pavement mostly, and the 4" fatty plan didn't work out well for me. I found I MUCH prefer the tire sizes under 3". That said, RAD sells a LOT of Rovers.....

Last, the fat bikes tend to be huge. The tires are similar in size to a 29'er if you're familiar there.

I hear ya. The bikes are big no doubt about that. I’ll be riding mostly pavement with the occasional off-roading. Need to be able to comfortably commute 5-10 miles and also carry a few bags of groceries here and there and tow a dog trailer occasionally as well. I was settled on a more hybrid size tire/bike till I road the fat bike. I keep going back and forth on it mostly due to all I’ve read in the forums! Information overload!

 

[AHicks]

It's about your priorities. Personally, I think if you don't have the need to use the 4" tires for frequent play in the snow or beach sand, the 4" can be tough to justify. Knobby tires are noisy on the pavement, with some being big time noisy.

There's good reason why so many mountain bikes are equipped with smaller tires (2"-3") from an off road perspective. That size rim makes for MUCH better hybrid uses. Tires are available to do about anything you want there.