Trek EX sizes
jimmyman
Posts: 2
I'm looking getting either an EX9 poss 8 but can't decide on size.
I've tried both a 18.5 and a 19.5 though not offroad. The 18.5 was cramped and the 19.5 felt like my size. I checked at one shop and the guy said the 18.5 looked a little small and I should try the 19.5, and as he only had 18.5s to sell I thought I should give the 19.5 ago elsewhere. I feel right on the 19.5 but it does seem high at the front.
Clearance wise on the 19.5 when standing just in front of the saddle with it touching my back, I can make room for my fist placed fairly firmly against my groin and still leave about inch to spare before the top of the top tube. Basically a space of about 5 inches from the top tube to my groin. I think this is ok, but the top tube does rise up at quite a steep angle towards the head tube, and certainly at that point when standing next to the head tube the top tube is a couple of inches closer to my groin.
The seatpost on the 18.5 is well out but within the limit but does seem too cramped, I could adjust with a steam, layback etc but does seem a fraction too small. The 19.5 feels right, my elbows are very bent so I'm in no way stretching. My only problem is it looks big from the front when standing next to the bike and the toptube near the headtube point is high. However the 19.5 seems much smaller when sitting on it though as the whole bike sinks and feels much smaller.
I not experienced with full suss so it's hard to tell. The trek advice is to go with the 19.5. I'm 6.0', say about a 33 leg trousers suit. All the shops indicate the 19.5, but I know lots out there may well go smaller. Other bikes like stumpys feel small in medium and right in large too, and again when they look at me in the shop they say medium is to small.
Someone mentioned the 19.5 should be treated like an 19 or even 18.5 given it's only a virtual 19.5, which to tell the truth I don't quite follow. I know the wise advice would be to try them both and I have but still feel unsure, as on the one hand all points towards the 19.5, even treks own riders forum i read they ride 19.5 at 5'11, a little smaller than me. Then I know of riders going much smaller.
Apologies for this drawn out personal dilemma, I know there is only and inch in it and it does seem clear that I should get the 19.5, I just when to get it right and see thoughts on a bike forum.
Anyone out there my height - what size frame you got, any opinion on top tube clearance?
I've tried both a 18.5 and a 19.5 though not offroad. The 18.5 was cramped and the 19.5 felt like my size. I checked at one shop and the guy said the 18.5 looked a little small and I should try the 19.5, and as he only had 18.5s to sell I thought I should give the 19.5 ago elsewhere. I feel right on the 19.5 but it does seem high at the front.
Clearance wise on the 19.5 when standing just in front of the saddle with it touching my back, I can make room for my fist placed fairly firmly against my groin and still leave about inch to spare before the top of the top tube. Basically a space of about 5 inches from the top tube to my groin. I think this is ok, but the top tube does rise up at quite a steep angle towards the head tube, and certainly at that point when standing next to the head tube the top tube is a couple of inches closer to my groin.
The seatpost on the 18.5 is well out but within the limit but does seem too cramped, I could adjust with a steam, layback etc but does seem a fraction too small. The 19.5 feels right, my elbows are very bent so I'm in no way stretching. My only problem is it looks big from the front when standing next to the bike and the toptube near the headtube point is high. However the 19.5 seems much smaller when sitting on it though as the whole bike sinks and feels much smaller.
I not experienced with full suss so it's hard to tell. The trek advice is to go with the 19.5. I'm 6.0', say about a 33 leg trousers suit. All the shops indicate the 19.5, but I know lots out there may well go smaller. Other bikes like stumpys feel small in medium and right in large too, and again when they look at me in the shop they say medium is to small.
Someone mentioned the 19.5 should be treated like an 19 or even 18.5 given it's only a virtual 19.5, which to tell the truth I don't quite follow. I know the wise advice would be to try them both and I have but still feel unsure, as on the one hand all points towards the 19.5, even treks own riders forum i read they ride 19.5 at 5'11, a little smaller than me. Then I know of riders going much smaller.
Apologies for this drawn out personal dilemma, I know there is only and inch in it and it does seem clear that I should get the 19.5, I just when to get it right and see thoughts on a bike forum.
Anyone out there my height - what size frame you got, any opinion on top tube clearance?
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Comments
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If you've got plenty of clearance between crown jewels and top tube then the main concern is how long the bike is, rather than how tall it is, after all you can move the seatpost up and down loads. You don't have that kind of adjustment backwards and forwards. So if the 19.5 felt right, then that's the biggest indicator that it is right.0
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This is probably little help to you.
I am 5'8" and 29-30" inside leg. I was in a dilema as to which size to buy. Either the 17.5 inch virtual or 18.5 inch virtual.
In the end I bought the 17.5" as I knew I could adjust the seat up etc.
The reach when sat on the 17.5 felt right were the 18.5 was a bit stretched out which would have meant a new stem.
The info regarding the top tube clearance when stood up is probably irrelevant on the fuel ex due to the design/geometry. This method may be better with a straight/level top tube.
Anyway I will stop going on now,
If the 19.5 feels right for you then thats what matters. If you can stretch to the ex9, you wont regret it. Once I set mine up for me it has been nothing short of a joy to ride. Both up and downhill. Taking it to the lakes next week!0
