Originally Posted by
mrodgers
Edit: I guess the question should be asked, what experience do you have riding? What did the LBS say about the size? If you are new, many new folks think that sizing is the ability to put your feet flat on the ground while staying on the saddle. That would be wrong, you want your leg to almost be fully extended when at the bottom of the pedal stroke while seated on the saddle. Also with the angled top tube of most hybrid bikes, it's a tough way to see if the bike is the right size.
I'm 5' 7ish and I am on a small Escape. I'll say that I do have my seat way up compared to most pictures I see here in the forums. I don't have any issues with the small other than I think my seat is way too high. The handle bar reach seems fine to me, but I'm not an expert or remotely knowledgeable in fit. Love my Escape.
Here's a shot of mine. I've recently even pulled the seat height up another 5 mm since this. I don't think I could go any higher. I think I have about 3 inches down in the seat tube.
In my opinion, your saddle height looks just right considered in relation to most of the images I see posted on this board. Most modern bikes, including yours, use some variation on compact frame geometry; one expects to have (or to see) somewhere between 6 to 9 inches of seat post showing (double-entendre not intended!) -- depending on the specific frame. Less (as is often the case in the photos one sees here) suggests too large a frame OR an improperly set saddle height; more, too small a frame.