versicom

I came across a new bike today that I really really want and the price on it is 50% off because it is a 2014 model. I am picky engineer and have been looking for a full suspension bike that I really like for the right price for about 2 years. This bike is the Trek Fuel EX carbon 29er 9.7 on sale for about half it's value. It is a 21" frame and states on the frame that it has an "actual" size of 20". I am 5'11" which obviously makes me too short for this bike. However when I straddled it, I was able to stand over it without the frame touching my nuts and when I sat on it, the bars felt pretty good like I was not over extended (I have always had abnormally long arms). The bike sales dude at the shop who was a really nice guy said the bike is too big for me and that it would be a mistake to buy it. However it's the only one they have in stock at such an awesome price and the exact components, color and model I want. Obviously the frame size is not ideal as I should be more like an 18" or 18.5" frame. MY QUESTION IS, WILL IT INDEED BE A MISTAKE TO BUY AND RIDE THIS BIKE CONSIDERING IT IS A 20" ACTUAL FRAME? OR WOULD I BE ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK with some simple customization? I am in love with the blue smoke carbon frame which is the best color and design I have ever seen. I would be super appreciative of knowledgeable opinions Thank you!

p.s. the bike was originally at $4299.00 and it is currently on sale for $2499. Seems like a very good price to me for a carbon frame with good components.

blakcloud

Two opposing thoughts. If you buy the bike and decide that it doesn't fit how much could you realistically sell it for? If you wouldn't lose too much money because of the deal you go then by all means buy it.

The other side of me says when you spend that kind of money, you should get exactly what you want and need.

Would I buy the bike? Never, because it doesn't fit. Yes, it is a deal but deals come and go. There will be another deal somewhere if you look hard enough.

TenSpeedV2

What does the test ride say? I am about your height slightly taller, all torso. Shop had an XL Trek SS in the shop. They swapped the stem out for something shorter and I rode it. Felt great. Normally I am on a 19" but this was a 21". Take it out for as long of a test ride as they will allow. See if they can swap the stem for something shorter if needed. It may work for you.

Scooty Puff Jr

From your post it sounds like you just need someone to say it's okay so you can justify buying it. I've been where you're at, the nice new "something" at a great price with a slight issue (size, color, option, etc.) Just be truly honest with yourself, if you really think it will fit you okay, and you will be happy with it, then buy it. I've always used sizing as a guide and not as a bottom line, sometimes a large fits me better though the guide says I need a medium, (bikes, clothes, helmets) but a bike that doesn't fit, isn't a fun bike to ride. Take Tenspeed's advice and take it for a long ride (without the rose colored sunglasses) and really see how it works for you. Nice bike BTW.

dksix

If you're going only on frame size (which is seat tube size based) you're not getting a very complete picture. The sales guy discouraging you seems like it's really not your size, there is no reason he's try to talk you out of buying except him being honest.

If it were me I'd try one of the sizing calculators like Competitive Cyclist has. It seems to take several measurements and gives you more than just seat post length to look at. Maybe your proportions are such that a larger bike is right for you but with a top tube that sloping I sure would want to use standover as a basis to spend $2500.

flan48

Yes, the test ride is key. I know that each bike is different, but I am about 5'6" (these days closer to 5'5"!), and I have a 17.5"/medium Trek 7.4FX. With virtually all similar bikes from other manufacturers, I needed a small/15.5-16". Yet when I rode the 7.4FX the fit seemed, and certainly does now, just right. Also, checking the geometry showed that the measurements such as effective top tube, head tube length, standover, etc were very close to the "small" size of the competitors. So it could be a similar situation here(?).

Just my 2 cents.
Good luck and best regards

corrado33

The bike is too big for you. You passed the stand over test because it has an extremely slanted top tube. Your mind may try to convince you that it's the right size for you, and you may not notice that it's the wrong size for you until you get over your "I bought a thing" feeling, but it is too big for you.

Never buy a bike that's the wrong size for you. It's almost always a bad decision.

versicom

Thanks for the replies! I think I'll go take it for a quick test ride today and see if I can make it work. The price is just so good and it seemed pretty comfortable when I was checking it out in the store. Good news is that if I decide it is ultimately too big for me, I can probably put it on ebay for what I paid or more

fietsbob

Might be over spending on a Pro Downhill Race bike; when a Hardtail XC bike is really what kind of riding you will do.

PepeM

No fit no buy.

Velo Dog

This is all that matters, and you should be able to judge it for yourself. Personally, as a cyclist for half a century, I think many people today ride frames that are too small for them, and with bars that are too low. But I'm over going fast; I'm just happy to be on the bike (sidebar: when I started riding, in college in the '60s, a quick-and-dirty way to find your size was to adjust the seat, them clamp your fist around the post. If your hand didn't cover the whole post, the bike was too small and you should go up a size. I see people now with 10-12 inches of post sticking up).

Darth Lefty 

Does it seem like a good enough deal that you could buy it and replace the frame?

Darth Lefty 

This really, really doesn't work for full suspension mountain bikes.

SkyDog75

This sounds really familiar to me. The first bike I ever bought for myself was a mountain bike that was a size or two too big for me. It was marked down SOOO much, so I thought I could make it work. It was a mistake and an expensive learning experience.

Bikes are kinda like shoes in that it doesn't matter how nice they are if they're the wrong size.

Camilo

Be a picky engineer and buy a bike that's perfect to you. I'll bet fit is first on your spec sheet, higher than price and color. 8-)