Hybrid Bicycles - Getting a hybrid soon. Have a question.

I've tested a Trek 7.3 22.5" and a 7.5 20", each at different shops. Each one told me the size I rode was good for me. I couldn't tell much difference after 5-10 minutes on each. About 3" clearance from the bar as I straddle the smaller bike, 1-2" on the larger bike. I'm 6'1" tall with 33" inseam. I don't know which size to buy. I'll likely get the 7.5 because of the upgraded hardware. Any feedback is appreciated. Looking forward to riding ASAP!

I am 5'10" (31" inseam) and ride a 22.5" Trek Hybrid. It is likely a slight bit too big for me but I can straddle the top bar ok. It feels much better than the smaller bike I had been riding. I've been able to adjust seat & handlebars nicely for a great fit.

I'd personally go larger than smaller. Handlebars and seats only go up so high and the extenders, in my experience, don't feel stable.

Happy riding!

I don't know crap, but I just moved from a 17.5 to a 19.5 I can "adequately" straddle the bar on the larger frame (nothing to brag about) but there is a HUGE difference in pedaling. On the 17.5 I felt me knees were to "squished" (technical term) and that I tended to push them out, away from the frame. That does not happen on the 19.5...and I am not even trying to correct it. For me, the larger frame is a MUCH better choice.

I don't know crap, but I just moved from a 17.5 to a 19.5 I can "adequately" straddle the bar on the larger frame (nothing to brag about) but there is a HUGE difference in pedaling. On the 17.5 I felt me knees were to "squished" (technical term) and that I tended to push them out, away from the frame. That does not happen on the 19.5...and I am not even trying to correct it. For me, the larger frame is a MUCH better choice.

What he said. At least for me.

As long as I can stand over it ok, bigger is much better for me. I cannot stand being cramped. Also, at your size, you probably are just about in between sizes. If the bigger one is comfortable, I'd go with that, personally. Raising the seat post a lot really changes the fit/feel of a bike. If that works for you, then great. Otherwise buy the bigger one.

Another vote for the larger frame here. Hold out for the 7.5 if that's the bike you want... but get it in your size! In my experience, if I can straddle the top bar and pick the bike up so the wheels are about 1" off the ground, then the frame is the right size for me. Now if I was doing a bunch of vertical drops and technical single-track I would probably want more clearance between myself and the top tube, but for the type of riding I do this non-scientific method of fitting seems to work well.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I ordered the 22.5 Trek 7.5FX. Should be picking it up in a couple days. Can't wait to ride it, particularly since my last ride was on my 30-year-old Raleigh Record. I can't believe I held on to it for so long. Yes, that means I'll be following posts in the 50+ forum :)