Are Mountain Bike Reaches Getting too Long?

Have we reached peak reach or more, more?

By Jeff Barber
March 17, 2024 Last Updated: July 20, 2025

8 comments

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mountain bike geometry diagram — Mountain bike reach is the horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the head tube.

Mountain bike reach lengths have been growing longer for a while now, part of the longer/lower/slacker progression we’ve seen over the years. By now though, some are saying enough is enough, while others are saying more please!

What do you think is a good mountain bike reach length? Tell us your number, along with your height, in the comments below!

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Bar chart illustrating average trail bike geometry changes from 2016 to 2023. The x-axis labels various geometry metrics: HTA, ETT, ESTA, Reach, Stack, Chainstay, BB Height, and Wheelbase. The y-axis indicates changes in percentage, ranging from -5% to 7.5%. Different colors represent the years 2018 (light green), 2021 (light blue), and 2023 (purple), showing trends in bike geometry over the specified years. The background is black for contrast.

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Close-up view of a bicycle's rear chain and crank area, showcasing a partially obscured bike frame, visible chain links, and a tire in the background. The image highlights details of the bike's mechanics and design.

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8 Comments

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Matt Dunn Colorado // 2022
Mar 18, 2024

5'-8", 440-460 reach is good range.

1 reply

Aeverett Wyoming // 2024
Mar 18, 2024

I think some brands are spot on and other brands are too long, very few are on the short side

Tim Tucker 2019
Mar 17, 2024

The key that often gets missed: look down at your feet!

Midfoot pedal position vs. forefoot pedal position can be a difference of 50mm or more.

If your feet are 50mm+ further forward to ride with a midfoot position, you'll naturally prefer a steeper seat tube angle that puts your saddle further forward and a longer reach so that your center of gravity isn't too far forward when standing.

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Mar 17, 2024

Can always buy what fits and call it good. Some people need a long reach, some do not. Some folks like a slack HTA, some like it steep. If a buyer really wants a dialed fit, there are custom builders available to accommodate their needs. Beats the hell out of plastic frames since custom is not an option for that material.

0 reply

flyingchipmunk 2017
Mar 18, 2024

I think that reach sizes are now about right, but many customers are still sizing up because that was the right move when bikes used to be too short. I'm 5-10 and ride sized medium bikes with reaches between 455-465, which is about where most of them are. But a lot of people my size go up to a large because that what used to be the right move and wind up in something from 475-490 range that is too big. Bikes are also so much more stable with longer chainstays and slacker head angles, that even a bike with shorter reach is still plenty stable.

Justin White 2015
Mar 18, 2024

It less about reaches being "too long" and more about them finally getting long enough on average to support a truly centered riding position for most riders on most terrain. As well as the existence of really long ones for tall riders, and maybe most importantly, seat tubes getting shorter so that a rider of a given height can size up (or down) to pick a reach they like and still fit a decent dropper length.

Bryan Walsh Colorado // 2016
Mar 18, 2024

The geos may be creating too many bikers that dont bike. They ride down hills, bike parks etc. Which is fine- not my bag- but would like to see a trail bike that wasn't so slack I have a '19 SB100 and the SB120 is 23mm longer in reach ...it doesn't seem like alot, but it mm's matter.

mtbiz84 Pennsylvania // 2024
Mar 17, 2024

Then reach being too big is also factored by the STA

Modern geo is pretty spot on with the current STA of 73-75° range and 63-67° HTA

Progressive geo is more like 480- 500+ mm reach due to the 78-81° STA with 57-62° HTA

-1 reply

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