I'd appreciate any feedback from those of you who own a newer model year GF Dualsport -- Montare, Utopia, or Kaitai (circa 2009/10).

I'm planning on buying a 2011 GF Montare. Intended use is for path riding ("leisure"), occasional commute, or occasional lengthier rides on Nantucket.

But, I'm having trouble resolving the frame size I need. On the Trek chart, I'm in between the 15.5-inch and 17.5-inch. I'm 5'-5" and about 160-lbs, 28-inch inseam. I've testridden a few Trek bikes (7300 and PDX), but I haven't test-ridden a GF Dualsport. I've read that the geometry and top tube length of the GF DS's stretch a rider out in the cockpit.

If any owners were "stuck" between frame sizes when they bought, I'd really appreciate hearing from you. In my situation, Trek recommends sizing down. Were any of you faced with that situation? How has it worked out? For those of you who sized down, did you need to purchase add'l parts (eg, stem) modify the cockpit length?

Thank you very much for your responses!