Hybrid Bicycles - Trek FX need help choosing correct size

Me and my wife are planning on getting a pair of Trek FX bikes (WSD for her). We are complete newbies.

These are our measurements:
Me: 6'1 tall with a 33" inseam
Wife: 5'3 tall with a 29" inseam

The dealer only sells the FX line by customer requests so there's no way to try them before buying them. The guy at the shop did not measure us at all and quickly recommended a 15" for her and a 20" for me. His recommendation sounded like an "educated guess" to me and we'd like to have a second opinion before making such an investment. If it's too close to call, is it better to go with the larger or smaller size?

Also, is the dealer supposed to give me a "size fit guarantee" on my purchase? What terms should I look for?

I understand that it's better to try the bike but we settled on this specific bike based on our needs, user reviews, local availability, warranty, etc. and we have no way of testing one.

Oh, and should we wait for the 2010 models? :D

I should have had the 17.5" frame according to the charts (I'm 5'7", 30" inseam), but after riding it back to back several times with the 20" frame, I went with the 20" as it felt better to me. At 6'1" I would think 20" or 22.5", it sure would be nice to ride it first so you know. Is there another shop somewhere within a reasonable driving distance where you could ride one?

Unfortunately this is the only Trek dealer I've been able to find in Puerto Rico.

im 6'1" and i am between a 20" and a 22.5" ... i bought a trek fx 7.2 in 20" size and it was a good fit but it turns out that the 22.5" fit would be a better fit. standing over the top tube, i still have space between me and the tube.

a 20" will definitely fit but it depends on body type how comfortable the fit may be. a good long ride will tell you whether or not it's your size.

fwiw.

Rather than guessing and getting stuck with something that don't fit, look at something in stock or try another shop. Sure you may not get a trek but you will get a bike that fits. I am not too sure about consumer law in PR.

When you buy a bike the most important thing you are buying is service from the dealer. If a dealer cannot give you a test ride on what you want you would be better off going somewhere else or getting something else. Well, unless you HAVE to have a Trek.

also, see if you can find any fx models in that size. like if you are looking for a 7.5 or something, try to find even a 7.1 or 7.2 in the size closest to you. the fit should be the same or really similar across the fx lineup.

I dont think I'd be able to sit on any FX :(

How about trying the fit of a Trek Hardtail MTB and choose size accordingly?

^ i am not sure if those bikes are similar in fit, maybe they are. you can go onto the trekbikes.com website and compare geometry of both bikes to see how the fit is similar or differs between the two bikes.

Humm A Trek dealer with no FX models is very suspect to me

Actually, it's probably the most respected bike shop here. They say there's not enough demand for hybrids in PR to justify having them in their inventory.

Can someone post of link to the size chart? I am having a similar problem...

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/72fx/#geometry

if you dont see the geometry come up, you have to click the tab called 'geometry' towards the middle of the page, under the picture(s).

I'm 5"9" with a 31" PBH and can comfortably ride an FX in 20". I normally ride 17.5"-18" in everything else. I don't see that bike fitting you. 22.5" probably. For your wife, was it the 15" WSD or the regular version?

and no, MTB geometry is not the same..

Thanks!

I am little and I ride a 20 inch frame, at 6'1" I would probably go with the 22 if I was not gona test ride it before I bought it. Hybrids tend to have more of a road bike geometry than a mountain bike geometry if that helps

Can someone post of link to the size chart? I am having a similar problem...

trek's sizing chart for hybrids (http://www.trekbikes.com/faq/questions.php?questionid=63). this chart is just to get you started with a general idea of frame size but the final decision will be more involved. it's going to depend not only on your specific body proportions but also how you want to ride the bike, posture, flexibility, fitness. as a general rule of thumb, if you are on the fence between two sizes, go smaller. you get more standover clearance, easier to balance / maneuver the bike, or adjust it to fit larger.

these two articles tell you everything you need to know about fitting. i agree with peter white that having the knowledge YOURSELF on fit lets YOU personally decide what you want in a way that an expert or some other person simply cannot do for you.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

Dear agc1976,

I am having that same problem and also here in Puerto Rico. Please let me know what did you do.

I am also traying to deside between a 20" for me (5'10") and a 15" for my wife (5').

Best Regards

Apologies if you know this already, but when talking about inseam in relation to bikes, it is not your pants inseam measurement. It's really pubic bone height they are referring to. If you google "measure inseam bike" you'll get a couple pages explaining how. If you are in between sizes, it may be a good idea to pick the larger size, unless you have issues with flexibility.

I'm like CC above - I'll bet your actual inseam is longer.

In stocking feet, stand, back against the wall. Now, slide a large book up, firmly, into your crotch, keeping the other edge of the book against the wall.

Mark the top of the book, and measure the distancde to the floor..

I'll bet you are over 34.5" !!! This is the inseam measurement you use !

This is your true inseam - keeping in mind that when you put your shoes back on, it will even increase.

I ride a 20 - 7.3 FX and after riding it for 10 months, I would recommend going with the 22. 6-1 with 33 inseam...The extra length of the top tube will help put you in a better power position for peddling. Bud of mine has the same bike 20-7.3FX and he noticed we both have the seat pushed as far back as possible and still could use that extra tube length.

My wife is 5’4” and she thinks 15” Trek 7300 is too big for her and she won’t ride it. It doesn’t matter what I tell her or how a bike should fit, to her, if her feet doesn’t touch the ground while she’s on the seat, it’s too big. Bike has less than a mile and I need to sell it and get her smaller size. As you can guess, she isn’t much of a bike rider but she does ride well. I am looking into WSD 13” for her.

As for me, I am 5’11” avg build and reach. According to sizing charts of most manufactures, I should be 20” or L but I feel little too stretched out in 20”/L and 17.5”/M feels little small. I bought and sold few Trek bikes due to bad fit. If you are in between sizes, get the one that feels the best to you. Stems and seats can be adjusted/replaced for better fit.

Also, I would dare to say, only about 10% of the workers in a bike shop actually know what they are talking about.

I ride a 20 - 7.3 FX and after riding it for 10 months, I would recommend going with the 22. 6-1 with 33 inseam...The extra length of the top tube will help put you in a better power position for peddling. Bud of mine has the same bike 20-7.3FX and he noticed we both have the seat pushed as far back as possible and still could use that extra tube length.Have you tried a longer stem?

I'm 5'8" with a 33-33.5 in. inseam and I have a modified 20 in to effectively shorten the top tube length. I wish that I had tried to go a little smaller with wsd instead. The 15 wsd I think should work ok.

Dear agc1976,

I am having that same problem and also here in Puerto Rico. Please let me know what did you do.

I am also traying to deside between a 20" for me (5'10") and a 15" for my wife (5').

Best Regards


Rico,

I decided to buy a Cannondale Quick 3 because it offered better components for the money (almost $200 difference at Ciclomundo Guaynabo). I got the XL size which is more or less equivalent to the 22.5" in Trek FX. I think it is a perfect fit. My wife got the Feminine version in the smallest size available. I believe it is equivalent to the 17" Trek if my memory serves me right. It was also a perfect fit for her.

This is not an educated recommendation at all but It sounds like the 20" will be ok for you but I'm not sure if the 15 will be the right size for your wife. I may have a chart that I downloaded somewhere that helped me a lot on the decision. If you're interested e-mail me and I'll see if I can find it (my user name at yahoo.com).

Good luck!

I'm like CC above - I'll bet your actual inseam is longer.

In stocking feet, stand, back against the wall. Now, slide a large book up, firmly, into your crotch, keeping the other edge of the book against the wall.

Mark the top of the book, and measure the distancde to the floor..

I'll bet you are over 34.5" !!! This is the inseam measurement you use !

This is your true inseam - keeping in mind that when you put your shoes back on, it will even increase.

33" is my real inseam. My pant inseam is 32" (long torso).

I'm like CC above - I'll bet your actual inseam is longer.

In stocking feet, stand, back against the wall. Now, slide a large book up, firmly, into your crotch, keeping the other edge of the book against the wall.

Mark the top of the book, and measure the distancde to the floor..

I'll bet you are over 34.5" !!! This is the inseam measurement you use !

This is your true inseam - keeping in mind that when you put your shoes back on, it will even increase.

33" is my real inseam. My pant inseam is 32" (I have a long torso).

That's surprising - and would make my recommendation for the larger one even more so. You will need the longer top tube for your long torso, and the compactness of the frame should let you stand over it, still. You just won't have a lot of standover room. MHO - keeping in mind, that I like to ride stretched out, rather than bunched up.

The 20" (L) FX has 30.7" of standover, and the 22.5" (XL) has 32.7" - all you really have to be able to do is get the front wheel off the ground while standing over it. You should still be able to get it off the ground by a few inches. Your long torso is probably going to be a couple inches longer than most, and the longer top tube will be a blessing. MHO

That's surprising - and would make my recommendation for the larger one even more so. You will need the longer top tube for your long torso, and the compactness of the frame should let you stand over it, still. You just won't have a lot of standover room. MHO - keeping in mind, that I like to ride stretched out, rather than bunched up.

Actually, my original question was asked in 2009. I already bought the larger bike and I'm happy with the fit :)

I guess I better pay more attention to dates ---- LOL

The 22.5" should be good for you!!

I'm a 5'4" woman with short little legs. I just got a Trek FX 7.3 in the men's 17.5 size and it feels great to me.