5'11 180cm Trek Remedy 8 2016

salt

I'm unsure as to what size I need. I could currently get a very good deal on an 18.5" model. I rode it today, and coming from road I was unsure as to how close I should feel to the bike, as I'm used to being a bit more stretched out on my road bike. 180cm is the top of the range in the sizing charts for the 18.5. I do have long legs and shorter arms. Before I spend money on a bike that doesn't fit, I thought I'd ask for some fitting advice!

The Rookie

Bike reach is mostly set by your torso length (easy to understand if you look at a rider side on) so having longer legs (and shorter torso) means you want a smaller (shorter) bike, additionally if you have shorter (not within the normally small band of relevant to leg length) arms it's even more so.

Additionally you shouldn't feel as stretched on an MTB as it reduces your ability to move your weight around to balance the bike over technical features, it's OK on a pure XC bike for relatively smooth trails, but not on anything approaching 'normal' mountain biking which is what someone buying a remedy would be looking at riding (unless getting completely the wrong bike!).

Visualising how you work out reach (gratuitous excuse for an EB photo)

gregwari

I'm the same height and found the 19.5" better, but its very personal - best to sling a leg over.

BPW hire out Treks.... can't think of a better testing ground.